New to astronomy - suggestions on gear within certain price range?
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New to astronomy - suggestions on gear within certain price range?
The budget would be in the 2-3k range. Since I am new to this, can someone point me in the right direction? Since we live in the city it would have to be transported out to the country for viewing. So a portable type of setup is what we are looking for and not a firm fixture. Thanks!
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Re: New to astronomy - suggestions on gear within certain price range?
I am glad to see that your budget is reasonable. Astrophotography is not a cheap hobby! The most important piece of equipment is the mount. Basically, get the best mount you can afford and, if there is any money left over, buy a telescope to go on it. Do not buy an all-in-one kit: the mounts that come with packaged telescopes cannot support enough weight for astrophotography. You will need to buy them separately.
For a mount, you will need a tracking equatorial (
For a telescope, I would suggest a small (lightweight), fast refractor. Something like a 100mm
For a camera, your best bet for starting out is to use a
[I took the liberty of moving your post the the Beginner Astrophotography Forum, where you will likely get more appropriate responses.]
DSO AP: Orion 200mm f/4 Newtonian Astrograph; ATIK 383L+; EFW2 filter wheel; Astrodon Ha,Oiii,LRGB filters; KWIQ/QHY5 guide scope; Planetary AP: Celestron C-11; ZWO ASI120MC; Portable: Celestron C-8 on HEQ5 pro; C-90 on wedge; 20x80 binos; Etc: Canon 350D; Various EPs, etc. Obs: 8' Exploradome; iOptron CEM60 (pier); Helena Observatory (H2O) Astrobin
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Re: New to astronomy - suggestions on gear within certain price range?
I suppose you mean transportable not portable. You should be aware that "possible tracking" is not a possibility for "clear photography" but an absolute requirement. Be aware that astrophotography is not a matter of plunking the gear down and pressing a button. Learning astrophotography is hard work and generally takes a couple of years to learn.
The most critical part of the gear is the mount. Usually, beginners go with a Celestron AVX or an Orion Sirius. The astrophotography (
If that is too much, there are also telescopes that are completely computerized. Just plunk them down, turn it on and monitor it on your cell phone.
Look for Vaonis for those kinds of telescopes. They used to be $4K or so but I see a new one for $2K.
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Re: New to astronomy - suggestions on gear within certain price range?
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Re: New to astronomy - suggestions on gear within certain price range?
SkyHiker wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 9:45 pm Welcome to the forum first of all!
I suppose you mean transportable not portable. You should be aware that "possible tracking" is not a possibility for "clear photography" but an absolute requirement. Be aware that astrophotography is not a matter of plunking the gear down and pressing a button. Learning astrophotography is hard work and generally takes a couple of years to learn.
The most critical part of the gear is the mount. Usually, beginners go with a Celestron AVX or an Orion Sirius. The astrophotography (AP) load is half of the advertised load. This limits the type of scope you can use. Refractors are the easiest to use. Apochromatic refractors are highly preferred. An AVX is nowadays $1K, an Explore Scientific 102 mm ED102 Apo goes for $1.2K, an ASI1600 color camera is $0.9K, an auto-guider plus guide scope or off-axis guider (OAG) will be about $0.4K, that is about the minimum for a standard package, $3.5K total. It is a significant investment and can lead to either painful frustration and failure, or a lot of outdoors enjoyment with star parties making friends. So, know what you are getting into.
If that is too much, there are also telescopes that are completely computerized. Just plunk them down, turn it on and monitor it on your cell phone.
Look for Vaonis for those kinds of telescopes. They used to be $4K or so but I see a new one for $2K.
Thanks. Im trying to make this is as simple as possible land photography has taken us a while and lots of equipment. At this stage not trying to accumulate a lot of additional equipment for astrophotography. Just looking for something that she/both of us can setup on a clear night, enjoy some great views, planets etc. not just the moon, and take some good pics. Thanks.
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Re: New to astronomy - suggestions on gear within certain price range?
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Re: New to astronomy - suggestions on gear within certain price range?
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Re: New to astronomy - suggestions on gear within certain price range?
There is a flourishing 2nd hand market. I would sign up for Cloudy Nights and check their classifieds section, also AstroMart. I believe you have to pay for that (I never have) but it may very well be worth the relatively tiny investment. You can also try Craigslist and EBay if you can see through the scams. It's a place where sometimes you can see a nice dump of inherited gear that people don't know what to do with. Another possibility is a local astro club. Aside from the fact that they can offer advice and will let you look through their gear on star parties, they often have a bunch of donated telescopes that can be had for a bargain. Almost any component can be had in such places.Kronos wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 9:52 pm Thanks. Now does the camera have to be separate and specific for a telescope or can you use a nikon or canon dslr body? In addition, as mentioned, I am very new to this. The goal is to enjoy the hobby and be able to capture images. If anyone could expand on the info presented and perhaps offer a list of components, including mount, scope, etc. I would greatly appreciate it. Can some items be purchased used to allow more money to be spent on components that should be new (to stay within budget), does it matter, etc.? That way I can can get an idea of what is required and move forward with questions or alternatives. Thank you.
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Re: New to astronomy - suggestions on gear within certain price range?
If my suggestion sounds like too much, then maybe you should look for some other present.Kronos wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 9:57 pmSkyHiker wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 9:45 pm Welcome to the forum first of all!
I suppose you mean transportable not portable. You should be aware that "possible tracking" is not a possibility for "clear photography" but an absolute requirement. Be aware that astrophotography is not a matter of plunking the gear down and pressing a button. Learning astrophotography is hard work and generally takes a couple of years to learn.
The most critical part of the gear is the mount. Usually, beginners go with a Celestron AVX or an Orion Sirius. The astrophotography (AP) load is half of the advertised load. This limits the type of scope you can use. Refractors are the easiest to use. Apochromatic refractors are highly preferred. An AVX is nowadays $1K, an Explore Scientific 102 mm ED102 Apo goes for $1.2K, an ASI1600 color camera is $0.9K, an auto-guider plus guide scope or off-axis guider (OAG) will be about $0.4K, that is about the minimum for a standard package, $3.5K total. It is a significant investment and can lead to either painful frustration and failure, or a lot of outdoors enjoyment with star parties making friends. So, know what you are getting into.
If that is too much, there are also telescopes that are completely computerized. Just plunk them down, turn it on and monitor it on your cell phone.
Look for Vaonis for those kinds of telescopes. They used to be $4K or so but I see a new one for $2K.
Thanks. Im trying to make this is as simple as possible land photography has taken us a while and lots of equipment. At this stage not trying to accumulate a lot of additional equipment for astrophotography. Just looking for something that she/both of us can setup on a clear night, enjoy some great views, planets etc. not just the moon, and take some good pics. Thanks.
If you want to have great views of planets, a 14" Celestron EdgeHD is good. Or at least an 11". Physics rules that resolution is proportional to
Basically, you are asking for gear that can do everything, is easy to use and easy to transport, and costs less than 3K. Unfortunately, that doesn't exist.
You are correct that the Vaonis makes strong compromises - it is very wide field. Most of us would never buy such systems. But it accommodates the ease of use that you want.
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Re: New to astronomy - suggestions on gear within certain price range?
As I said, a
To use a
DSO AP: Orion 200mm f/4 Newtonian Astrograph; ATIK 383L+; EFW2 filter wheel; Astrodon Ha,Oiii,LRGB filters; KWIQ/QHY5 guide scope; Planetary AP: Celestron C-11; ZWO ASI120MC; Portable: Celestron C-8 on HEQ5 pro; C-90 on wedge; 20x80 binos; Etc: Canon 350D; Various EPs, etc. Obs: 8' Exploradome; iOptron CEM60 (pier); Helena Observatory (H2O) Astrobin
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Re: New to astronomy - suggestions on gear within certain price range?
You would be best served by going through the
viewtopic.php?t=523
It's important to know, there are four distinct types of
Lastly, after you have decided on the mount you want to purchase then go to (https://www.astrobin.com/). This is a picture repository for
We are not trying to scare you off, but too many folks say they want to pursue
After you do a bit more research, get back to us and we'll help to the best of our ability.
Cheers,
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6R, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100 ∞ AP Gear: ZWO EAF and mini EFW and the Optolong L-eXteme filter
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°
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Re: New to astronomy - suggestions on gear within certain price range?
If you have a camera with exchangeable lenses you probably already have a workable camera body. Everything after that is just finding the best deals as you grow into the hobby. The sky is the limit on cameras, but you already deal with that.
You also probably have a collection of lenses. The good news is you can use them for astrophotography also. You may outgrow them, but you already understand that urge. A telescope is nothing more than a new lens. At least that is one way to view it. Landscapes use wide angle lenses. Wildlife demands a telephoto. It is the same way with astronomy. Deep Sky Objects (
The difference is the mount. The mount is your slider or gimbal. You can't get by with a cheap mount. Photographers know to spend as much money on tripods, gimbals or sliders as they do on cameras. They also keep them longer. It has to be sturdy and smooth and able to carry all the weight you will one day want to put on it. There is an old saying that photographers go out and buy a cheap tripod, then toss it in the closet. Then they go out and buy a better tripod and toss it in the closet. Then, the third time, they gasp and spend a bunch of money on a good tripod and keep it. The other members on here are suggesting that you put your money where your mount is build the rest of your system off that. They are also offering suggestions on what lenses or camera bodies might fit you current needs, but the mount is central. I've been one of those with a small collection of cheaper tripods gathering dust and a small collection of telescope mounts that I've outgrown.
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Re: New to astronomy - suggestions on gear within certain price range?
Just google star trackers and go from there, I have no recommendation.
I have attached a series of galaxies captured with a 135mm telephoto for comparison of their sizes, all but a handful are quit small, but definitely can be captured in a short telephoto. All approximately 30-45min exposure at f2.
Good luck,
Steve
Cameras; Atik 460ex mono, Zwo ASI1600MC-cool, QHY5L-II color and mono
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Re: New to astronomy - suggestions on gear within certain price range?
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50
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Re: New to astronomy - suggestions on gear within certain price range?
REFRACTOR , TS-Optics Doublet SD-APO 125 mm f/7.8 . Lunt 80mm MT Ha Doublet Refractor .
EYEPIECES, Delos , Delite and 26mm Nagler t5 , 2 zoom Svbony 7-21 , Orion Premium Linear BinoViewer .
FILTER , Nebustar 2 tele vue . Apm solar wedge . contrast booster 2 inches .
Mounts , cg-4 motorized , eq6 pro belt drive .
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Re: New to astronomy - suggestions on gear within certain price range?
Nikon D82 Fieldscope with 30x/45x/56x angled eyepiece.
Olympus DPS-1 10x50 binoculars.
Leica 8x32BN binoculars.
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Re: New to astronomy - suggestions on gear within certain price range?
Equipment :
Apertura AD10” Dobsonian
Polaris 4” Dobsonian
7x50 binoculars
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