Hi All!
I apologize in advance for the many questions! I've joined a local astronomy club many months ago whom are awesome, have been doing visual observation and have been wanting to do astrophotography for some time. I've tried to do quite a bit of reading and research, but still have some lingering questions. I do regular photography and my wife is a professional photographer, so this has really just piqued my interest to no end. With that said, I am brand spanking new to this and wanting to get started. My primary targets are nebula and galaxies to start. Would love to be able to capture comets or star clusters later, but my immediate focus is more in the nebula and galaxies as the colors and tones just blow me away (Orion, Running Man, Bode's, Pinwheel, Witch Head etc etc).
Would anyone be kind enough to please cross-check my shopping list and let me know before I make a crazy expensive purchase and regret it? I'll likely be doing it in phases over the next few months and worry about compatibility of the system as I build it out so I don't make a costly mistake. I'm really looking to build a great, portable first system that I can grow my way into over the next several years. This will all be controlled via an iPad Pro. I know I have a lot to learn and look forward to it!
- Is there anything here that I have that is not compatible, or should be swapped out?
- Is there anything missing that I haven't included? Lots of USB cables?
- What is the difference between the three filters I have selected and their use case? I'm assuming type of target? Do I need them all? Primary starting goal is galaxy and nebulae.
- Is the camera good to have as ASP-C versus full-frame (I shoot full frame in standard photography) and is it compatible with the scope?
- Do I need a field flatener or anything else to run this setup properly?
- What size dew band does the scope take and where can I find that info?
- Filter wheel works with mounted and unmounted. Is it better to get mounted, or unmounted filters?
- Any need to worry about light pollution filters with a monochrome camera if I want to image from my home (bortle 6).
Shopping List:
- ZWO AM5N with tripod
- ZWO 200mm extension pier
- ZWO 12v plug / power brick x1
ZWO ASIAIR Plus 256gb- Two high-speed 256gb flash drives
- Askar FRA400 f/5.6
ZWO ASI2600MM DUO APS-C (Does this perform as well as a camera + guide scope setup?)ZWO Narrowband SHO (S-II, H-a & O-III) unmounted 31mm filterZWO Premium LRGB Imaging Filter Set - 31mm Round UnmountedIs it better to just get a single set of Optolong 2" Filter Set with LRGB, H-Alpha, SII, and OIII Filters over the ones above (albeit much more expensive at $1k)?ZWO 8-Position Electronic Filter Wheel for 1.25" or 31mm Filters- ZWO Electronic Auto-Focuser (5V Version)
ZWO EAF Automatic Focuser Temperature Sensor- Jackery 3600 watt 1500wh portable battery (future purchase for use at dark sites)
I sincerely appreciate everyones input, insight and time. Really looking forward to joining you all soon!
Edited additions from feedback received:
- ZWO ASI2600MM Pro APS-C CMOS Monochrome Cooled Astronomy Camera Kit with 36mm EFW7, OAG-L & 36mm LRGBSHO Filters
- ZWO 256GB ASIAIR Plus Wi-Fi Camera Controller Kit with ASI120MM-Mini Camera & 30mm f/4 Mini Guide Scope
Edited by Anarken, 15 October 2024 - 08:26 PM.