Come join the friendliest, most engaging and inclusive astronomy forum geared for beginners and advanced telescope users, astrophotography devotees, plus check out our "Astro" goods vendors.
Come join the friendliest, most engaging and inclusive astronomy forum geared for beginners and advanced telescope users, astrophotography devotees, plus check out our "Astro" goods vendors.
I'm a retired Air Traffic Controller (SDM, O40, SCT Empire Area, CLE, ZOB (Area 1, Area 8, Area 7 Supervisor, Airspace and Procedures) and Lifetime RNAV member. I enjoy sailing (Corsair F24 Mk II) and travel in our Sprinter and Escape 19.
I have been into photography most of my life. I most recently do wildlife photography. I have a Canon 6D, a Canon 7D Mk II, and a Canon R7. For deep sky astrophotography I am planning on using a EF 200mm f/2.8L II lens with either the 6D or the R7. I also have some longer lenses that I might like to try EF 100-400 L IS II and RF 100-500 L IS. I have original Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 (non-OS), from when I did sports photography 15+ years ago, but, I think it might be a little too soft for astrophotography.
I've started researching mostly on YouTube, and on some forums. I'm currently considering the Sky-Watcher AZ-GTi with updates to use as an EQ mount, Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi, or Sky-Watcher EQM 35. I'm also extremely computer literate. I'm planning on using a Mini-PC most likely with N.I.N.A. to run my mount.
I have lots of questions! Mostly about mounts right now.
Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 APO, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II APO, Samyang 135 F2 (still on the Nikon).
Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro with Rowan Belt Mod
Stuff: ASI EAF Focus Motor (x2), ZWO OAG, ZWO 30 mm Guide Scope, ASI 220mm min, ASI 120mm mini, Stellarview 0.8 FR/FF, Sharpstar 0.8 FR/FF, Mele Overloock 3C.
Camera/Filters/Software: ASI 533 mc pro, ASI 120mm mini, ASI 220mm mini , IDAS LPS D-1, Optolong L-Enhance, ZWO UV/IR Cut, N.I.N.A., Green Swamp Server, PHD2, Adobe Photoshop CC, Pixinsight.
Dog and best bud: Jack
Sky: Bortle 6-7
My Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/users/Juno16/
Hi TT. It's great to have you join us here on TSS and that was a nice introduction. You have come to the right place to ask your questions about telescope mounts and receive excellent and helpful answers from the knowledgeable and friendly members on here. Welcome to the forum TT and the best of wishes on your astrophotography endeavors.
Marshall
Sky-Watcher 90mm f/13.8 Maksutov-Cassegrain on motorized Multimount
Orion Astroview 120ST f/5 Refractor on EQ3 mount
Celestron Comet Catcher 140mm f/3.64 Schmidt-Newtonian on alt-az mount
Celestron Omni XLT150R f/5 Refractor on CG4 mount with dual axis drives.
Orion 180mm f/15 Maksutov-Cassegrain on CG5-GT Goto mount.
Orion XT12i 12" f/4.9 Dobsonian Intelliscope.
Kamakura 7x35 Binoculars and Celestron SkyMaster 15x70 Binoculars. ZWO ASI 120MC camera.
>)))))*>
Stephen
- - - - - Telescopes: Questar 3.5 Standard SN 18-11421; Stellina (EAA); Vespera II (EAA) Solar: Thousand Oaks white light filter; Daystar Quark (chromosphere) Hα filter Mounts: Explore Scientific Twilight I; Majestic heavy duty tripod Local Club: New Hampshire Astronomical Society
-Michael 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 Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl Camera: ZWO ASI 120 Naked Eye: Two Eyeballs Latitude: 48.7229° N
Welcome to TSS. I also have a passion for nature photography of a kinds, landscapes, wildlife, macro, birding, and astrophotography. You will find a lot of people on here who can guide you.
Rob Telescopes: 50mm refractor, ED80 triplet, 90mm makcass, 10" dob, 8"SCT, 11"SCT
Mounts: Celestron CGX, Orion Sirius + several camera tripods
Cameras: Canon 6D, Canon 80D, ZWO-ASI120MC
Binoculars: 10x50, 12x60, 15x70, 25-125x80
Observatory: SkyShed POD XL3 + 8x12 warm room
AL Projects Completed: Lunar #645, Outreach #0280, Universe Sampler #93-T, Binocular Messier #871, Messier #2521, Messier Honorary #2521, Constellation Hunter Northern Skies #112, Planetary Transit Venus #1, Galileo #26, Outreach Stellar 0280, Meteor Regular #157, Solar System Telescopic #209-I, Observer Award #1
AL Projects Currently in Process: Double Stars, Comet, Lunar Evolution