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Turk
member
Reged: 10/31/08
Posts: 74
Loc: jersey
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Hey all. I have recently been gifted a Meade DS-2080 AT-LNT. I have always been a visual observer utilizing some larger aperture dobs, but now that Ive got an auto-tracking refractor the imaging bug is starting to itch me.
What would be a good choice to start with? I saw the Celestron nexImager solar system CCD is an attractive price for a newbie, but my wife has a Canon 30D. Silly question time: If I want to use the dslr camera how do I mount it? And would I be better off spending $99 on astronomics.com or trying to get the dslr to work with my small refractor?
And as far as my 12" dob goes ... Im out of luck for imaging if I have heard correctly?
Thanks in advance!
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Zhumell Z12 Dob
Orion Skyquest XT8 Dob
Jason Explorer 4000 refractor - gotta love basement finds!
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Jerry Lodriguss
Vendor
Reged: 07/19/08
Posts: 571
Loc: Voorhees, NJ
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Hi Turk,
I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you're not really going to be able to do any serious astrophotography with that Meade refractor and mount.
First, it's an altazimuth mount.
Second, it's f/10.
You might be able to hook up a camera to it and get some shots of the Moon, but that mount is not made for astrophotography.
You would get just as good results, if not better, by simply aiming your 30D with a lens on it into the eyepiece of your Dob and shooting afocal if you want to shoot the Moon.
Jerry
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A Beginner's Guide to DSLR Astrophotography
http://www.astropix.com
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Jared
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/11/05
Posts: 2534
Loc: Piedmont, California, U.S.
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I'm afraid I have to agree with Jerry--at least for deep sky astrophotography. The mount isn't going to track accurately enough for long exposures, and since there is no wedge you will be getting field rotation with any picture longer than a few seconds. I simply wouldn't head down the path of trying to learn deep sky imaging with this scope and mount. It will only turn you off of astrophotography.
As far as planetary photography goes, it is possible that you could get some decent results with a NexImager. At least the planets are bright enough that the focal ratio and lack of light grasp won't hurt you. Still, it's going to be pretty frustrating trying to get a planet to stay put long enough on the imaging chip for you to focus it properly. It's just not a very sturdy mount.
While I love to help people get started in astrophotography, I wouldn't recommend doing it with this scope and mount. You'll just end up giving up in frustration.
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- Jared Willson
- TMB 152 f/8 Apochromat
- Fluorostar FLT-110 w/ TEC optics
- Stellarvue SV80S
- Astro-Physics Mach1 GTO
- Takahashi Teegul SP Mount
- STL-11000
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Ptarmigan
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/23/04
Posts: 2355
Loc: Arctic
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What about a Starfinder mount?
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Ptarmigans=Cute and Cuddly
Meade Starfinder 8
Nikon 10x50
Rebel XT
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Turk
member
Reged: 10/31/08
Posts: 74
Loc: jersey
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Thanks for the replies. like I said, it was a gift ... so no worries. What WOULD be a good starter setup for cheap that would be moderately effective for planetary or deep sky imaging?
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Zhumell Z12 Dob
Orion Skyquest XT8 Dob
Jason Explorer 4000 refractor - gotta love basement finds!
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