LeedsGreen
member
Reged: 09/11/08
Posts: 30
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Dear All,
I would be extremely grateful if anyone can provide advice on the best set-up to take shots of the moon. I have posted a few times on CN forum already and really appreciate the help I have been given.  My objectives (in descending order) are:
1. To take crystal clear photos of the moon (starting with the whole moon in frame) before zooming into craters etc.
2. Place the scope on my camera tripod when required.
3. To have a portable scope that I can carry with me on walks.
4. Use for terrestrial shots.
However, it is worth pointing out that if number 1 can’t be achieved then the others are pretty irrelevant. After exploring CN and google etc. I have come up with three main options:
1. GOTO reflector (Meade Etx 90 or Celestron NexStar 4se)
PROS – long focal length for high magnification, GOTO to track moon
CONS – not hugely portable in the field, need power supply
2. Refractor (Astrotech AT66ED, Celestron 80ED, WO Megrez 72FD)
PROS – best optics(?),more portable, fit on camera tripod
CONS – fairly heavy, smaller focal length with lower magnification
3. Spotting scope (Celestron C90 MAK or Ultima 80 ED)
PROS – portable, fit on camera tripod, lighter
CONS – image quality?
Does anyone have experience of any of the above? Have they been able to take good photos of the moon (with DSLR or compact)? Are any really bad/good? My main concern is not to waste my money but to buy kit that will meet my needs and last a good while.
Thanks again for any help, which I really appreciate. 
Nick
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NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Posts: 11997
Loc: Rockford Illinois
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GoTo is not really needed... But what you DO need is TRACKING. Any mount with a drive motor will suffice.
As for mag, you can always barlow for double the mag.
My suggestion, An ED80 on the Orion SVP with drives. If you want, you can add GoTo to it at a later date.
If you really want the GoTo, I would suggest a beefier mount... Same scope, on the Orion Sirius mount.
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Neo... (Jeff)
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10" LX200-GPS/SMT UHTC "Draco"
 Rockford, Il.
NeoDinian's Eye on the Sky!
Coming soon:
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Winnie
super member
Reged: 04/28/07
Posts: 117
Loc: Las Vegas
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A couple of thoughts...
I believe that the NexStar 4SE will run on internall AA batteries. I could be wrong.
A spotting scope will give you correct views when used for terrestrial.
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CPC925 GPS
Feather Touch Microfocuser
C130 Mak
Celestron Plossl Kit
15mm Pan
9T6 Nagler
Canon 10x30 IS
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physik
sage
Reged: 10/14/07
Posts: 204
Loc: Wichita Falls, TX
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Leeds, welcome to Cloudy Nights! What is your budget for this setup? Personally, I would avoid the spotting scopes and stick with either a refractor or an SCT. The NexStar 4SE wouldn't be a bad setup for Moon photography. I've got the 925SCT, but I know someone who owns a 5SE (not much difference to the 4) and gets some incredible shots of the Moon. Let us know how it goes!
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Wes
Celestron C9.25 S-GT XLT SCT
Orion AstroView 100mm Refractor
Orion Skyquest XT 6" Dobsonian
nightShifted Astronomy - http://nightshifted.howarddarkes.com
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LeedsGreen
member
Reged: 09/11/08
Posts: 30
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Thanks for all your replies,
After a good deal of thought, I'm starting to settle on an APO 66 refractor and have seen the Sky-Watcher Equinox-66 PRO ED APO refractor and Pulsar Optical. My main reason is that I beleive it will offer me crystal shots of the moon and will be quite portable. (Hence, going for the 66mm as opposed to 80mm diameter). The person I spoke to at Pulsar also suggested using a supreme barlow to maintain a good image for taking pictures.
My only indecision comes when thinking about ETX or NexStar, particularly as these guys offer a higher magnification and tracking. However, the 66mm refractor offers a cheaper option for now and if I get serious  could be a cool finder scope for the future?
Once again, I would welcome any feedback on these thoughts.
Thanks,
Nick
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sang33ta
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/08/08
Posts: 539
Loc: UK
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I don't think it will have the focal length you want for crater work, but maybe you can use a lot of pixels in your camera to make up for it. Wish you luck.
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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
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dgs©
Postmaster
Reged: 03/29/04
Posts: 13849
Loc: West Monroe, Louisiana
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No need for tracking if the moon is to be your primary target... it's plenty bright enough for really short exposure times.
I think you are on the right track with that APO 66. 
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- david
8"Ø Newtonian on SVP, Moonlite CR2, Telrad
PST Oberwerk Ultra 15x70 Orion Ultraview 10×50
Hand-me-down Sears Refractor (Discoverer) 60mm×900mm
"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world, remains and is immortal." --Albert Pike
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imjeffp
Senior Space Cadet
Reged: 09/30/03
Posts: 4411
Loc: Cedar Park, Texas
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Numbers 1 and 3 are mutually exclusive. Why? Aperture = resolution = clarity/detail.
One of my favorite lunar imagers is Alan Friedman; he uses a 10" maksutov-cassegrain.
The best planetary imager in the world Damian Peach used a 14" SCT for these lunar shots.
Tony Gondola used newts from 8 to 10 inches for this series.
And while I don't deserve to be grouped with these guys, I shoot with a 10" SCT.
Getting great pictures of the Moon are harder than it looks. It takes a combination ofpatience, seeing, lighting, optics and camera. And patience. Did I mention patience? That's one reason I shouldn't be grouped with those other guys!
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Blog
ST80 • AT80EDT/LXD650
ETX-90/DS-2000 • 10" LX200 Classic ("The Quarter-Meter Telescope at the Heritage Park Observatory")
SPC900NC • DMK21AF04 • Digital Rebel XT
  
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LeedsGreen
member
Reged: 09/11/08
Posts: 30
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Thanks everyone for your replies and imjeffp for his great links - blimey, there's some great shots there. I'm planning on visiting scope'n'skies this weekend to have a look at the kit and buy some stuff. My gut feeling is that by going for either the APO 66 or ETS/NexStar I will have something good enough either way to start with. Mmmmm, I hope this new hobby doesn't get too costly! 
Nick
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Saycbon
super member
Reged: 08/14/08
Posts: 161
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Quote:
Mmmmm, I hope this new hobby doesn't get too costly!
You are about to fall into the black hole. Welcome to the club. 
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Patrick
Postmaster
Reged: 05/16/03
Posts: 6778
Loc: Franklin, Ohio
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Quote:
No need for tracking if the moon is to be your primary target... it's plenty bright enough for really short exposure times.
While it's true that the moon only requires short exposures, having tracking is a real plus when setup and focusing are considered. It's much easier to focus when the object isn't moving through the field of view.
Patrick
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Discovery 10" f/6 Split Tube Dob
Celestron C6 SCT
Denk Binoviewers
AT66ED Refractor
Oberwerk Ultra 15x70 Binocular
475B Geared Tripod & 501HDV Head
Oberwerk 9x60 Binocular
Celestron Regal 8x42 Binocular
Canon 30D DSLR
Mini EQ1
My Astronomy Pages
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imjeffp
Senior Space Cadet
Reged: 09/30/03
Posts: 4411
Loc: Cedar Park, Texas
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Tracking+good. Guiding=not necessary.
And if you intend to do mosaics (which you eventually will), polar aligning is good. Otherwise you'll have to deal with field rotation between your individual shots, and they'll never align.
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Blog
ST80 • AT80EDT/LXD650
ETX-90/DS-2000 • 10" LX200 Classic ("The Quarter-Meter Telescope at the Heritage Park Observatory")
SPC900NC • DMK21AF04 • Digital Rebel XT
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