Join Now
Join ePHOTOzine, the friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more for free!
Looks like 3 years ago I posted this question but never did get round to buying a telescope.
To cut a short story even shorter, I am planning to buy one in the next couple of weeks, but am looking for anyone on here who has one to pass on their knowledge.
I am looking at Celestron and Sky Watcher scopes, but can't decide on whether to go for a Newtonian, Dobsonian, refractor or what ?
Also, I'd want something that could track an object and that could take a digital SLR attached.
Anyone ?
Depends on if you want to track an object, if you want the scope to be portable etc.
I would go for a scope along the lines of an Lx90 (Meade) which is Schmidt-Cassegrain they can be heavy but are quite compact for what they are or maybe go for a Newtonion reflector such as Orion you can have them with tripods which include motor drives for tracking.I use an Orion Europa 6" Reflector F5 which does not have a motor drive so it's only good for taking shots of the Moon really with a Dslr attached via a mount, they also do an F8 and F11 version which allow better viewing of Moon and planets, lower F nos are better for deep sky but you will get a lower mag per eyepiece used.
A lot depends on budget, how portable you need it, such as will you need to put it in a car to transport to a dark site? How long it will take to set up and how easy it is.
Some info
Orion
My next scope will be an Lx90 as it does what I want.
It's worth finding a local stockist and have a look at them in the flesh before buying.
Stu
Another link < see edit
York Astro They have a link via 'Interesting links' to a Buy and Sell page, you may find a used bargain to be had.
Stu
Edit :
Where first link should have gone
Have a look to see if you have a local astronomy society near you, I used to be a regular at a local one, they tend to have members with different scopes that way you can try them out and ask questions, some even loan kit out, great place to find out more, you will need a beard and a water proof coat to join though 
find a local society here
I too have just decided to have a go at "astro" work and luckily at Christmas my son showed interest in space etc so I bought him the new Meade ETX80at telescope which is an amazing scope and the fact that half the battle is done with this scope in so much as it has the "Autostar" controller. This takes about 2 mins to set up each time you go out and then you can punch in the name of the star or planet or nebulae you want to see and it moves to the location of the item and then continues to track it !! I then ordered the bits to attach my camera (Canon 30d) to the rear port of the telescope, that was 3 weeks ago, just waiting for a bloody clear night now !!
For star gazing its really good and the rings of Saturn and the planet itself are my favourites, but I think this will be too far away for use with the camera though, will have to wait and see.
Also used the scope and camera to watch birds of prey in our local nature reserve, works a treat !!
Will post some images when I get a chance.
Just my 2cents
Regards to all
Lee
Thankyou all. I had already visited some of those links.
I was only half serious last time I thought about it, but now my daughter is showing a very strong interest in astronomy, and my wife is interested too!
Probably means I'll never actually get to use it 
Anyway, I thought while everyone is keen on the idea, and I have the cash, may as well go for it.
I'm gonna be up home in Rotherham next weekend, so plan to visit this place to have a play with some, as it's just down the road.
Lots of the web sites I've seen photos on are using multiple shots superimposed. I guess this is to prevent noise ?
B
Bri, there's a relatively new kind of astrophotography which uses video takes and gathers hundreds of images, "stacks" them and uses software to cancel out the noise and keep only the real info, thus creating fine detail with relatively inexpensive equipment (the CCD from a webcam and the right adaptor, plus the right software - "registax" is one). As far as I know it's mainly for planetary stuff - I'm suer if you search around you'll find more about it
Stephen
Big Bri,
Altough not in the best of nick - I have two 8 inch celestron's a C8 and a ultima 2000.
Both of them provide fantastic views to make your jaw drop.
The C8 can be polar aligned which means you can use long exposures and the Ultima is a goto which is great for finding galaxies and nebula.
Both can be used for astrophotography. If you really want to go for it let me know.
By the way - if you think that a 600mm L canon lens should give a good closeup it's nothing compared with these scopes.
Good luck with your astrofoto's.
Francis
Add a Comment
ePHOTOzine, the web's friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more.
Login or Join Now
New to ePHOTOzine? Join ePHOTOzine for free!
Join Our Free Newsletter
Awards
Current Competitions
foliopic 'Movement' Competition
1st May 2012 - 31st May 2012
This month's competition theme is 'Movement' which can be interpreted in a number of ways. You could photograph an animal running, a person walking or a car speeding...Featured e2 Photo
Featured Directory Listing
May's Photo Month
Check out ePHOTOzine's inspirational photo month calendar! Each day click on a window to unveil new photography tips, treats and techniques.
Interact
Photography Gallery Photography Forums Recent Forum Activity Members' Meetings Members' BlogsSearch ePHOTOzine
Having trouble or would like to make a suggestion? Create a report
Calibrate your monitor so you can see 16 different shades.
ePHOTOzine © 2001 - 2012 Magezine Publishing | Contact Us | Site Map | Top