6 replies to this topic

[Alun]

Hi Chaps,

Well, the nights are fair drawing in as they say up here... and thoughts are returning to this astrophotography lark! I had a fun night a couple of nights ago with an old Pentax 35mm camera, but my mind is once again wandering towards digital. I have quite a limited budget and the camera must also be suitable for "normal" daytime shots... I've reduced the field to 2 cameras, the Coolpix 4500 for about £330, and the Coolpix 5700 for about £360. As you can see, there is very little between the price of the two, and I'm having trouble deciding between them.

The 4500 is an older camera and has 4 megapixel, whereas the 5700 is newer and has 5 megapixels, but the 5700 has a larger lens (diameter), whilst this will be great for normal photography I'm concerned that it might be a hinderance when I try to afocally couple it to the telescope (I've seen Charle's set up, and whilst I like the look of it, it will be while before I can get that, so initially I'll have to settle for old fasioned afocal coupling - seperate tripod, or eyepiece bracket). Also, I think the 5700 lens moves in and out with zoom/focus, whereas the 4500 doesn't.

The 4500 looks quite compact and relatively light, the 5700 seems to be a larger afair and therfore possibly heavier... could be a problem when it's attached to the 'scope. I've seen quite a few images with the 4500, but not too many with the 5700... so maybe that answers my question before I ask it!

Oh well, here goes...

Q. Which would you go for?

Any thoughts or opinions will be much appreciated.

Many Thanks
Alun

[Alun]

Oh great... I've just seen a CP5400 for £299! Now it's a three way tie. Any thoughts on that camera?

Cheers
Alun

[Chris_H]

I have the CP4500 and its good. Scopetronix and WO makes adapters that screw directly on it - big plus! Cant comment on the 5700

[Alun]

Thanks Chris

Those are some nice shots on your site... I take it they were all with the CP4500?

Anyway, I bit the bullet yesterday and ordered the Coolpix 4500! It should be here by the end of the week... I'm soooo excited!

Many Thanks
Alun

[Chris_H]

lol The pics are really bad, but I just started out. Was very proud of the latest Jupiter tho :o Oh well, hopefully I'll get the new scope soon so I can start imaging something again!

[Charles]

I would recommend the 4500 also if lightness is a primary concern. My 5700 is heavy!

[Alun]

Thanks for your input Charles, I figured the 5700 would be heavy... Well, the 4500 should be winging it's merry way to me now... hopefully it should be here tomorrow!

Thanks Chaps!
Alun