Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums
Privacy Policy |
Please read our Terms
of Service | Signup and
Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu.... uh, User
Adamski
member
Reged: 06/21/08
Posts: 40
Loc: Halesowen, UK
|
|
Having sold the 8" reflector, I'm looking for an 8" SCT to replace it. I already have the 4SE and love the Goto system, so I have already decided that the new scope must be also have the Goto system.
It appears to me that the C8-SGT would be a better scope for long exposure astro-photography than the NexStar 8SE, mainly due to the EQ mount.
I would imagine that the optical performance of both scopes would be the same, since both are SCT with XLT coatings. So my own conclusion is that the C8-SGT would be the better option. Both scopes are similar in price.
I'm leaning towards the C8-SGT. What do you guys think? C8-SGT or 8SE?
Adam.
--------------------
Celestron NexStar 4 SE - Fantastic
SkyWatcher Explorer 200P EQ5 (SOLD!)
Celestron PowerSeeker 127 - Crap! (Until I make it better...)
|
sang33ta
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/08/08
Posts: 539
Loc: UK
|
|
yeah i'd go eq for your imaging scope.
--------------------
Hioptic 152mm f12.5 Maksutov
Celestron Advanced CG5-GT Mount (Mr Noisy!)
Meade 4000 Super Plossl Set
Casio QV-2900UX
Got fed up of waiting for Meade ETX-150 so put this together for £500/$1000 
|
Bob Griffiths
Post Laureate
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 4178
Loc: Frederick Maryland
|
|
I own an 8i (same as the 8SE)...love the scope BUT I am a visual only observer and would NEVER think of doing any imaging ..especially any long exposure imaging with it.. NEVER !
For any kind of imaging the EQ mount is the way to go...
No "ands" No "ifs" and No "Buts"
For visual I'll take my 8i in a heart beat, anyday anytime...same OTA, much lighter, very easy to carry outside even on the tripod. and 100 percent more comfortable to use...
The 8SE is just not made to do any Imaging...
Bob G
--------------------
CPC1100
Nexstar 8i + GPS & Rays Brackets
Denk S1 power switch
Orion 100 mm Refractor
Meade LXD 55 ...AR-5 127 mm Refractor
Exploradome Observatory S.I.E. (Smiling Irish Eyes)
39*21'03" N
77*28'12" W
|
coutleef
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/21/08
Posts: 821
Loc: Montreal and St-Donat, Québec,...
|
|
I agree with Bob, the 8SE is not for imaging.
Francois
--------------------
François
Nexstar 8 SE
50mm StellarVue finderscope, Astronomik UHC-E and Orion OIII filters
WO Swan 40mm; TV Pan 22mm; TV Nagler 9T6, 12T4, 17T4; TV Plossl 11mm and 15mm.
WO 2" dielectric diagonal retrofitted with Denk Power Switch (and now reach the zenith with the shorty adapter).
|
InterStellarGuy
super member
Reged: 06/25/08
Posts: 113
Loc: Nebraska
|
|
Im going to have to disagree with you all , the 8SE can be used for imaging depending on what it is you intend to Image. Lunar and Plaetary and bright DSO is fine, but anything faint requiring long periods of astrophotography, probably not so much as the tracking built in is alt-az.
it does have a EQ tracking setting in the tracking menu but you need a wedge and polar alignment to use it.
--------------------
--------------
Celestron C8
Celestron Nexstar 6SE
Celestron First Scope 114
Celestron Nexstar 60
Celestron accessory kit
Celestron UHC 1.25 filter
Celestron UV/IR cut off filter
Celestron NexImage
Meade DSI Pro
|
RAKing
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 12/28/07
Posts: 818
Loc: Clouds-ville, Virginia
|
|
Yes, you can image with a fork mounted SCT on a wedge, but that stock Celestron 8SE tripod is just barely adequate for visual work. Adding a wedge then trying to image with that kludge?  If you want to get an 8SE and a wedge, you should also look for a CPC tripod to support the whole mess.
Personally, I wouldn't bother. If you want to do any serious photo work, get a GEM from the start. Polar alignments are so much easier and the system is much easier to use.
My .02,
Ron
--------------------
Time spent looking at the stars is added to your life.
Orion XT10i / Moonlite CR2 -- The New "Time Machine"
"Hi Def" TV-102
C925-CF SCT
Ethos and Naglers
GM-8 GEM / A-P Portable Pier
|
Adamski
member
Reged: 06/21/08
Posts: 40
Loc: Halesowen, UK
|
|
The scope I'm after is primarily for imaging. The C8-SGT uses a GEM with the Goto system, so based on the opinions here it should be ideal.
Thanks!
Adam.
--------------------
Celestron NexStar 4 SE - Fantastic
SkyWatcher Explorer 200P EQ5 (SOLD!)
Celestron PowerSeeker 127 - Crap! (Until I make it better...)
|
Yedgy
member
Reged: 07/22/08
Posts: 58
Loc: Phoenix, AZ, USA
|
|
Adam, if you're primarily after long-exposure imaging, you might want to consider a beefier mount, such as an Orion Atlas EQ-G. Don't forget that in addition to the OTA you'll have a finderscope, guidescope and rings or OAG, maybe an autoguider camera, and your imaging camera. All that weight will start to push the limits of the C8-SGT's mount. Plus with a bigger mount you'll have plenty of headroom in case you later want to add a refractor or step up to a C11.
--------------------
Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known. - Carl Sagan
- Stellarvue SV70ED
- Stellarvue SV102ED
- Celestron 8" SCT
- Atlas EQ-G w/EQMOD
- Canon EOS 450D
|
Adamski
member
Reged: 06/21/08
Posts: 40
Loc: Halesowen, UK
|
|
Hi Yedgy,
Aparently the new GEM mounts from Celestron, as used with the C8-SGT, have been beefed up and now use 2" legs (don't know if anything else is different). Do you know any more about this and whether it would be suitable for the things you mention?
Adam.
--------------------
Celestron NexStar 4 SE - Fantastic
SkyWatcher Explorer 200P EQ5 (SOLD!)
Celestron PowerSeeker 127 - Crap! (Until I make it better...)
|
rmollise
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 1637
|
|
Quote:
Hi Yedgy,
Aparently the new GEM mounts from Celestron, as used with the C8-SGT, have been beefed up and now use 2" legs (don't know if anything else is different). Do you know any more about this and whether it would be suitable for the things you mention?
Adam.
I've used this setup (CG5/C8) for imaging for years. I've had no problem autoguiding this combo with an SBIG ST2000 for as long as I've wanted to go. Some tips:
Keep the focal length down. I generally shoot through the C8 at about f/4.
Vibration reduction pads help.
Proper balance--just slighgly east-heavy is very important.
--------------------
Uncle Rod
Watch for Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT--coming in December!
|
|
3 registered and 11 anonymous users are browsing this forum.
Moderator: Jason B
Print Thread
|
Forum Permissions
You cannot start new topics
You cannot reply to topics
HTML is disabled
UBBCode is enabled
|
Thread views: 506
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
