Webcam or T-rings and T-adapters

[Debostar]

For an absolute beginner, would it better to get a t-ring and t-adapter and use his DSLR to photograph some sky objects, or would it better just to buy a webcam such as the neximage???

[Marcus daniel]

I use a neximage and find it is great for moon/planet viewing with any problems. The images I have had back have been of great detail. However, If you decide you want to take long exposers, this is where the the Dslr will win hands down. It also depends on the F ratio of your telescope. Ideally, to get good frames, you will need a fast scope of around F4 to F5. Don't be put off by this though, as you can get great images using either method, have a look through the imaging section and you will see what i mean.

Hope this helps

[Debostar]

I got me a neximage contraption already...Will try it once the cloudy arabian sky clears up....

[brantuk]

The Neximage is fine for planets/moon but at £130+ it's very expensive for little more than a webcam. You can get the same chip in the Phillips SPC880 from Morgans website for around £20 and a 1.25" adaptor to fit it to a focuser tube for about a tenner. Morgans will flash it for a few bob so it resembles an SPC900. You'll save around £100 which is equivalent to two good quality ep's (or other gear).

For Dso's you'll need at least a Dslr to do long exposure photography and a very accurate tracking equatorial mount. Cannons are v.popular including the 300D, 350D, and (nore recently) 1000D. A t-ring and adaptor will fit it to a scope. Either camera can take one or more astronomy friendly modifications.

http://www.morgancomputers.co.uk/shop/detail.asp?ProductID=6313&Category

http://www.astronomiser.co.uk/

Hope that helps