7 replies to this topic

[Domdron]

Hi all,

 

I'm thinking about improving my astrophotography setup. I live in Kenya and got my first telescope early last year: a Skywatcher Heritage 150p travel Dobsonian. It's been a lot of fun, both for visual observation and dabbling in photography.

 

Since I had an old Micro Four Thirds camera lying around, I got a camera adapter to experiment with astrophotography. Later, I added a second-hand motorized Vixen GPD2 mount with a pier. Being near the equator, the RA axis is almost horizontal, so a pier is essential to avoid the counterweights colliding with the tripod.

 

That said, the 150p isn’t ideal as an astrograph, of course. The focuser is mounted on a plastic base, and even my small camera feels like too much for it. Plus, it’s a helical focuser, which rotates the camera when focusing, and it’s only 1.25", so coma correctors aren’t an option (they’re only available for 2" focusers).

 

I could upgrade the focuser by attaching a better one to the 150p using custom wooden or metal supports. Then I could also add a coma corrector and other accessories.

 

Alternatively, I’ve been considering getting a small refractor which can fit on the GPD2, so that I don't have to add a guide scope/cam right away, since I want to keep everything well under €1,000.

 

I have a nice offer for a used Skywatcher Evostar 80ED, about which I've read good things, in very good condition. But for the best results, I’d likely need a field flattener or reducer/flattener, which would push the total cost close to the SVBony SV555 which is currently on offer for 495€. That scope has gotten a great review from Cuiv just hours ago, though it’s obviously smaller aperture and FL.

 

More similar to the Evostar ED80 looks this upcoming Askar 71F, which also seems to have an attractive price point and no need for a flattener.

 

Probably I first need to make up my mind what I most want it for, and my main interest seems to be split between 1. quite wide-field to e.g. fit Andromeda comfortably in the FoV, or the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex, and 2. higher power for galaxies. The Evostar 80ED would fit Andromeda just barely with a 0.8 reducer, but I like to have a bit of room for composition. So this might mean that I'd be better served with the SV555, and then later add another scope, maybe a Mak, for smaller galaxies?

 

Anyway I wanted to hear opinions/experiences about these scopes, or other budget but reasonable quality alternatives, or just help to make up my mind  

 

Clear skies,

Bastian

[Ben Li]

IMO if the only goal is astrophotography, the SV555 is probably the easiest one to work with. But if the goal is to combine the ease of learning and visual observing, I recommend Askar 71F. As a beginner I don't recommend going higher power, it is much harder to work with

[Domdron]

IMO if the only goal is astrophotography, the SV555 is probably the easiest one to work with. But if the goal is to combine the ease of learning and visual observing, I recommend Askar 71F. As a beginner I don't recommend going higher power, it is much harder to work with

Just to be clear, I'm still keeping the 150p which I'd then use mostly for observing, except maybe for those cases where I do need higher power, until I get a better setup for that. 

 

Learning-wise, I've made good progress over the last year, and I'm a techie so I'd not be afraid of adding more components like guiding. For me it's really mostly about optimising value-for-money at a budget.

[Sacred Heart]

Astronomy and deep space imaging is about the mount, first and foremost.  I know the scope is lightweight even with the all the camera stuff behind it.  Just make sure you have a decent mount.

 

This is just me, I watch youtube videos too, but just because a famous youtuber gives a good review I will still do my research on the scope / mount whatever I'm looking to buy.  Meaning, try to find owners of the scope, see what they think. How do they use it.  If it is a totally new product, then you are going on manufacturer reputation.  As you find out things and have more questions, maybe contact the manufacturer / possibly the vendor and ask away.

 

This is where patience could payoff big.

 

My thoughts,   Joe

 

PS  Going with a small refractor is the best way to go.  Easy, successful, repeatable

[cuivienor]

Ooooh, "famous youtuber"? :-)

Joe's on point, it's always good to see multiple reviews/data points, if only to check the quality consistency of a specific scope or piece of equipment (the YouTuber can only check the sample they got). That said, yeah, my SV555 impressions are very positive, and I'll likely be asking SVBony to let me pay for it so I can keep it.

- Cuiv

[Domdron]

Astronomy and deep space imaging is about the mount, first and foremost.  I know the scope is lightweight even with the all the camera stuff behind it.  Just make sure you have a decent mount.

 

I think the GPD2 will be more than enough, my experiences with the 150p, which it handles with no issues to get 1-2 minute exposures without guiding (presuming good polar alignment, which I do with the help of KStars/Ekos' plate-solving method).

 

This is just me, I watch youtube videos too, but just because a famous youtuber gives a good review I will still do my research on the scope / mount whatever I'm looking to buy.  Meaning, try to find owners of the scope, see what they think. How do they use it.  If it is a totally new product, then you are going on manufacturer reputation.  As you find out things and have more questions, maybe contact the manufacturer / possibly the vendor and ask away.

This is where patience could payoff big.

 

 

Well, while I haven't used most of the equipment that Cuiv reviewed, so that I could compare, I do find his methods comprehensible and plausible. 

 

My thoughts,   Joe
PS  Going with a small refractor is the best way to go.  Easy, successful, repeatable

 

Yes that's the impression I get without having ever used one. Though I have used camera lenses, so I have some experience with both smaller and greater focal lengths. Thanks for your thoughts.

[Domdron]

Ooooh, "famous youtuber"? :-)

Joe's on point, it's always good to see multiple reviews/data points, if only to check the quality consistency of a specific scope or piece of equipment (the YouTuber can only check the sample they got). That said, yeah, my SV555 impressions are very positive, and I'll likely be asking SVBony to let me pay for it so I can keep it.

- Cuiv

Thank you Cuiv, sure I do see the benefit of having a sample set > 1  I will try to find some other reviews.

 

That said, I did enjoy yours, and as mentioned above, find it very well done (as all your reviews I've seen so far).

[Sk240]

I also watched Cuiv's video and didn't realize that I need the SV555 or SQA55 (waiting for Cuiv's video on that scope too!).  I already have a Rokinon 135mm and a WO Zenithstar 71mm.  Watching Cuiv's video got me interested in spot diagrams and I'm now wondering if the stars for SV555 or SQA55 would be significantly tighter than the two lens/scopes I already own.

Edited by Sk240, Yesterday, 04:16 PM.