6 replies to this topic

[TelescopeNerd]

Currently I have a Celestron cpc800 f/10.

Any recommendations for a dslr? I guess
I want a Ha modified dslr. With a budget of $500 or less.

My plan is to use the dslr and a focal reducer on the cpc800 until I can afford the equatorial motorized mount and lense for the dslr.
Again, I can only afford the camera right now. I would LOVE to get a small refractor but thats going to be $3000 at least and i cant afford something like that, it would take years to save. That's why I decided to just go with a dslr or dsmr and lense because they can make some beautiful pics. I will eventually get the mount and lenses.

If I buy one with smaller pixels I understand it won't work perfect but it will work right?
I can use it for planets and some smaller deep sky objects can't I?
I am new to the imaging process just fyi and thank you for your time in advance.

Edited by TelescopeNerd, 05 June 2025 - 11:00 AM.

[bobzeq25]

For DSOs, you're headed down a very difficult road, one that many have struggled (unsuccessfully) with. The scope is long focal length, heavy and slow, when what you want to start out with is short, light, and fast. The mount is totally inadequate.

The two biggest beginner mistakes are an inadequate mount, and too big a scope. Think trying to learn how to drive with a Formula One car. In the rain.

Many try this, because they already have the scope. This is the usual result.

"After months of learning and overcoming challenges <with the SCT>, and finally buying a shorter FL APO refractor, I really really really wish I had listened to everyone on here and started learning the <traditional> imaging basics on THAT frac instead of on the SCT. Trust me"

"I put together a video of my imaging rig along with some info on how I went from years of failure trying to image with a long focal length SCT, to achieving success on my first image."

https://www.youtube....h?v=MNQU1hdqz4M

Etc. There's a lot of etc. <smile>. Mostly the problem is that it sucks all the fun out of the hobby. You're spending pretty much all of your time trying to deal with a bad setup.

"I regret spending the first 6 months trying to learn <DSO> imaging with an 8" Edge SCT, with that scope it was a losing effort. Fortunately got a nice little refractor, and not only have the quality of my images improved but I'm actually enjoying the process of learning how to do it!"

It's the wrong tool for the job (of getting started in DSO imaging.) Serious understatement, alas.

Minor point. You don't want the sexy sounding full spectrum, which also makes life difficult. You want "Ha modified".

All that is for DSOs. Planetary can work, they're orders of magnitude brighter, the exposures are VERY short. There's a forum for that. <smile>

Constructive suggestions. This book will make things a lot clearer. This setup is FAR better to learn DSO imaging with. Click on the thumbnail at the end to see a much better version, with details, to see what it can do.

https://www.amazon.c...d/dp/0999470949

Edited by bobzeq25, 05 June 2025 - 02:46 AM.

[michael8554]

For the reduced CPC800 with its long focal length you'll need a DSLR with big pixels, to get a sensible pixel scale.

Such as the Canon 6D Mk 1

 

But for when you buy a lens with a much shorter FL you'll need small pixels.

 

Full Spectrum ?

 

The lack of IR/UV filtering will mean you'll always need to attach a filter, Light Pollution, HA, OIII etc, or you'll get star bloat with the lens.

[SpaceMax]

I think you could get a wedge for the CPC mount and then try to polar align it and use it like an equatorial mount. But you still get field rotation in your images unless you also buy an automated field derotator.

For solar system it would be a great setup. Short exposures, long focal length. Right equipment. But for this type photography, a small sensor fast frame rate camera will walk loops around any DSLR.

As the others said, full spectrum can make a camera useless. Some have internal IR lights that then shine on the sensor. If any DSLR, check that it can be tethered to your computer and is software supported. Some cameras are easier than others, some can’t be tethered successfully.

Also, the 8” SCT is possible not illuminating a full frame sensor. So there is a choice to be made whether to go full frame, APS C, or M4/3. If it’s mainly space you want the camera for, I’d probably not bother with full frame.

I would consider going mirrorless though. Something with a completely adjustable rotating screen. It’s hard these days not wanting to use the screen in touch mode.

Clear skies!
Max

[TelescopeNerd]

For DSOs, you're headed down a very difficult road, one that many have struggled (unsuccessfully) with. The scope is long focal length, heavy and slow, when what you want to start out with is short, light, and fast. The mount is totally inadequate.

The two biggest beginner mistakes are an inadequate mount, and too big a scope. Think trying to learn how to drive with a Formula One car. In the rain.

Many try this, because they already have the scope. This is the usual result.

"After months of learning and overcoming challenges <with the SCT>, and finally buying a shorter FL APO refractor, I really really really wish I had listened to everyone on here and started learning the <traditional> imaging basics on THAT frac instead of on the SCT. Trust me"

"I put together a video of my imaging rig along with some info on how I went from years of failure trying to image with a long focal length SCT, to achieving success on my first image."

https://www.youtube....h?v=MNQU1hdqz4M

Etc. There's a lot of etc. <smile>. Mostly the problem is that it sucks all the fun out of the hobby. You're spending pretty much all of your time trying to deal with a bad setup.

"I regret spending the first 6 months trying to learn <DSO> imaging with an 8" Edge SCT, with that scope it was a losing effort. Fortunately got a nice little refractor, and not only have the quality of my images improved but I'm actually enjoying the process of learning how to do it!"

It's the wrong tool for the job (of getting started in DSO imaging.) Serious understatement, alas.

Minor point. You don't want the sexy sounding full spectrum, which also makes life difficult. You want "Ha modified".

All that is for DSOs. Planetary can work, they're orders of magnitude brighter, the exposures are VERY short. There's a forum for that. <smile>

Constructive suggestions. This book will make things a lot clearer. This setup is FAR better to learn DSO imaging with. Click on the thumbnail at the end to see a much better version, with details, to see what it can do.

https://www.amazon.c...d/dp/0999470949

skytracker-with-camera-and-lens-444x545.jpg

[TelescopeNerd]

I bought the telescope a couple years ago for 300 bucks, I had some problems but just recently got it working right. The firmware needed to be updated, now it works great. I could take 10 second exposures and stack them, I understand I wouldn't get a fantastic result but it wuld work. I'll look at some ha's , I watched a video comparing all the different mods, they all look good, but yes he had to have the extra filter for full spectrum but he can change out the filters. to save some money I guess I'll go with ha.

[bobzeq25]

I bought the telescope a couple years ago for 300 bucks, I had some problems but just recently got it working right. The firmware needed to be updated, now it works great. I could take 10 second exposures and stack them, I understand I wouldn't get a fantastic result but it wuld work. I'll look at some ha's , I watched a video comparing all the different mods, they all look good, but yes he had to have the extra filter for full spectrum but he can change out the filters. to save some money I guess I'll go with ha.

The thing is, for astro, getting the full spectrum and dealing with the extra filter gets you no additional data. It's useless.

This is an expensive hobby no matter what. Here's another cheap solution. The epitome of short and light. People have a lot of fun with them. There's a forum.

https://www.seestar.com/

Edited by bobzeq25, 05 June 2025 - 11:46 AM.