6 replies to this topic

[7bAstronomer]

I just picked up an Orion SkyQuest XT6 for $125 in excellent condition other than being fairly dirty and having the plastic trim no longer around the bottom of the mount. I have a Nikon D200 with a T adapter already, 2x and 3x Barlow's; I'm considering buying a used webcam (like actual webcam) and using those while a find what dedicated astro cam I want to order (recommendations please preferably somewhat budget oriented) I'd like to know what my expectations should be when it comes to imaging, I'm willing to take the time to learn and spend hours shooting. Collimation seems fairly good, its cloudy (obviously) so haven't been able to fully test yet. Thanks in advice for your input.

[Andros246]

I just picked up an Orion SkyQuest XT6 for $125 in excellent condition other than being fairly dirty and having the plastic trim no longer around the bottom of the mount. I have a Nikon D200 with a T adapter already, 2x and 3x Barlow's; I'm considering buying a used webcam (like actual webcam) and using those while a find what dedicated astro cam I want to order (recommendations please preferably somewhat budget oriented) I'd like to know what my expectations should be when it comes to imaging, I'm willing to take the time to learn and spend hours shooting. Collimation seems fairly good, its cloudy (obviously) so haven't been able to fully test yet. Thanks in advice for your input.

Well what you have is excellent for imaging planets/the moon.

 

However without a :"goto" dob deep sky objects its going to be almost impossible

 

What you'll be able to do is "eyepiece projection photography"

Edited by Andros246, 02 November 2024 - 06:50 PM.

[7bAstronomer]

Well what you have is excellent for imaging planets/the moon.

 

However without a :"goto" dob deep sky objects its going to be almost impossible

 

What you'll be able to do is "eyepiece projection photography"

Alright thanks, I have some money I can spend so what's a budget yet legitimate setup you can think of for deep sky?

[bbasiaga]

Alright thanks, I have some money I can spend so what's a budget yet legitimate setup you can think of for deep sky?

Something like an AM3 with a 60-80mm refractor, guide scope and an EAF.   

 

Or since you already have a camera, you could look at something like a star adventurer GTI and use your camera with its lenses.  Better if the camera is modified though, but that shouldn't stop you from getting started.   You can find adapters for most astro-cams to the major lens mounts as well, such as Nikon F, Canon EF, etc.  The new mirrorless lenses are more of a problem since they have short back focus.  

 

Brian

[scanner97]

For a starting DSO set-up, if you already have a DSLR and lens you could put that on a light tracking mount, do manual focus and imaging with short unguided exposures, and spend time getting familiar with post processing.  That would cost you under $1000.  (The most important single piece of equipment for deep sky imaging is actually the mount...)

 

For ~ $500 you could buy yourself a smart telescope like the Seestar or Dwarf.

 

Or to get more serious, we're talking about a better mount, probably a small refractor, and a cooled astro camera, along with a bunch of support gear that can provide more automation.  The all-in cost for a small-but-capable rig is probably $5k+.

 

There are other options presented here.  He doesn't cover all the possibilities in that video, but it's a good range.  And he has plenty of other vids on getting started that you may find helpful.

 

There's a lot of information out there because there are a lot of pathways.  How you test the waters will depend on your interest, patience and budget.

 

Good luck!

[smiller]

+1 on some type of tracking (motorized mount) is needed with a telescope to have any real chance at deep sky.

 

People with Dobsonians either have a motorized Goto Dob or an EQ platform for it to sit on.  with either of those two options you can do ok for beginning deep sky,  it both of thise are motorized.

 

For planetary you can do some with your scope using “drift AP” where you take high frame rates of exposures while the planet drifts across the sensor, then you stop, reposition and go again.  But this is for planets as they are hundreds to thousands of times brighter than even bright deep sky targets.

 

For more details, go out to “Dobsonian astrophotography” on Facebook and ask there.  There are dozens of people using all types of Dobs for all types of AP there.  You’ll get an earful of advice from experienced Dob imagers.

[scanner97]

For more details, go out to “Dobsonian astrophotography” on Facebook and ask there.  There are dozens of people using all types of Dobs for all types of AP there.  You’ll get an earful of advice from experienced Dob imagers.

@OP... it's definitely worth watching Steven's presentation on The Astro Imaging Channel.  (See the link in his sig.)  That will give you a good sense of of the opportunities and challenges associated with Dob imaging.  Some of those (focal length and backfocus for example) are beginning challenges with any scope. 

 

Since getting started in AP is complex and potentially expensive, not to mention requiring a lot of decisions that involve trade-offs, my suggestion would be to watch a bunch of videos to get a better feel.  Then come back with more questions based on what you' ve seen and what you're thinking.  You can also check slightly older posts in this forum.  This question comes up at least once a week and there are a lot of thoughts in those other threads that should prove helpful.