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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Hi there, having spent quite some time surfing around looking for help and advice i am still as confused as ever.
i know what i want, not sure what to expect, and equally clueless on the ideal equipment to acheive it.
ideally i am thinking of extending my photography hobby to the heavens..
i have a basic SLR and digi compact camera - eventually i know i will want some stellar and lunar photos.
i want to view the moon, planets, sun and some of the nicer DSO's
but how do i achieve that, i know i am unlikely to see the bright colourful pictures you see in books, but what WILL i see?
do i want refractor or reflector?
4",6",8"
Dob or EQ mount?
help.....
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wilash
Fairy Godmother
Reged: 09/30/03
Posts: 5746
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About photography, start with two books:
Astrophotography for the Amateur by Covington
Wide-field Astrophotography by Robert Reeves
That will cover the topic fairly well. Covington's book will be more inclusive.
As far as what you will see, that is another matter. The only objects you can expect to se in color are the planets. And even they can be very subtle. Stars have colors, but they may not be initially apparent. DSO are greenish-grey smudges.
For photography, you need a GEM (EQ mount).
Aperture wins. The larger the aperture, the more you can see. But you will use a smaller scope more. Bigger the scope, the bigger the mount required. Both reflectors and refractors are good. Reflectors have no chromatic abberation, but require collimation from time to time. Refractor have very good contrast, but can have chromatic abberation.
I would start with an introductory book on the equipment. There are many factors involved.
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Jarad
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 3858
Loc: Atlanta, GA
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Try to find your local astronomy club. Go to one of their star parties, and look through other peoples' scopes. THat is by far the best way to get a feel for what you can really see through a scope. Talk to the menbers and find some who are doing astrophotography, and ask them about it - what equipment they use, how much time it takes, and look at some of their pictures (most astrophotographers love when someone wants to look at their pictures....). Finally, before you buy anything, find someone with the same equipment you are considering and offer to help them setup and break down at a star party to get a feel for how much of a schlep factor is involved.
Hope this helps,
Jarad
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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thanks for replies so far - i had searched for a local club but the closest was some distance away, just tried again and found there is one much more local - i am sure if i get into this hobby it wont be the first time i miss something right under my nose (or above it as the case may be)
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Astrophotography is a lot harder than it looks Andy, tho the results are well worthwhile. Be prepared for a lot of disappointing shots at first, but when that first photo comes out just as you planned it, it makes up for the hard work
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BluewaterObserva
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/04
Posts: 4763
Loc: Zuni Mtns, NM
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Once you decide DSO and astro-imaging, your really up the anti so to speak.
So much so, it becomes difficult to know what to suggest without some sort of budget.
For DSO astro-imaging, the mount is 90% of the image and the OTA only 10% within reasonable optical quality of the optics anyways.
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Tim2723
The Moon Guy
Reged: 02/19/04
Posts: 5121
Loc: Northern New Jersey
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I glad you mentioned that you wanted to expand your existing photography hobby. You already have a good feel for how involved things can get. That will help you keep from being disapointed in the following fact: Astrophotography and visual astronomy are really two different hobbies that are often discussed by the same people, but they have very different requirements for success.
The advice you've received so far is top rate: Get a couple of good books, talk to the experienced folks, get to a star party, make some friends in the hobby, and be ready to up the ante compared to visual astronomy.
While it's true that the cost of certain kinds of imaging equipment has come down a lot and there are many people doing wonderful work with very modest equipment, the guys that do those super breath-taking deep sky shots are very skilled, experienced, dedicated people with more money in their gear than I have in my house!
The best advice I have is this: Astronomy, be it visual or photographic, is the most rewarding hobby I know, but it takes time, patience, and perserverance to get good. Start slow, learn your way carefully, and don't give up!
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The crwth will set you free!
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Quote:
I glad you mentioned that you wanted to expand your existing photography hobby. You already have a good feel for how involved things can get. That will help you keep from being disapointed in the following fact: Astrophotography and visual astronomy are really two different hobbies that are often discussed by the same people, but they have very different requirements for success.
this is party why i asked what to expect - i am realistic enough to know that just viewing will probably dissapoint compared to some of the beautiful images taken by the pros with more money than i - and i know early attempts at photography will probably be even more dissapointing
Quote:
The advice you've received so far is top rate: Get a couple of good books, talk to the experienced folks, get to a star party, make some friends in the hobby, and be ready to up the ante compared to visual astronomy.
While it's true that the cost of certain kinds of imaging equipment has come down a lot and there are many people doing wonderful work with very modest equipment, the guys that do those super breath-taking deep sky shots are very skilled, experienced, dedicated people with more money in their gear than I have in my house!
The best advice I have is this: Astronomy, be it visual or photographic, is the most rewarding hobby I know, but it takes time, patience, and perserverance to get good. Start slow, learn your way carefully, and don't give up!
someone above mentioned budget - it will be a fairly modest 300-400 GBP with which i know i can get a 6 or maybe even 8" newt on a decent EQ mount - i am still unsure if the newt will be the way to go or a smaller aperture refractor
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Tim2723
The Moon Guy
Reged: 02/19/04
Posts: 5121
Loc: Northern New Jersey
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Well then, remember Bluewater's advice: The mount is 90% of the success in photography. You'll make out better with a small refractor solidly mounted than a larger reflector on a shakey mounting. For visual use, aperture will win out. The best is, of course, a big scope on a solid mount, but that's where the money gets serious.
Your realistic expectations are very refreshing compared to many of the first-time posts we see. I'm certain you'll make good choices and have great success! At least with your photography experience you'll have a much better chance of it. Best of luck and keep us informed on how you procede.
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The crwth will set you free!
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Andy, I started with a 4" refractor and have now moved on to an 8" reflector, and I'm more than impressed with the difference the extra aperture has made.
Check out this link
http://www.telescopes.uk.com/Astrodealers.htm
you should find something tidy at the top ebd of your budget.
edited to remove a dob mention(missed your photography bit! 
Edited by GreenImp (11/01/04 02:20 PM)
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