Astrophotography Exposure Length with CG-5?

Hi,

What length of exposures at 400-500mm have been acheived with a CG-5 mount? Both guided & unguided. I have a Celestron Onyx 80 EDF and a Canon 40D.

Any advice on another mount in this price range (used)? I have about $500 to spend on the mount/tripod.

Also, any links to good "hop up" or "massaging" to improve the mount. I've already checked out most of the verbage on astronomyboy.com.

Thanks for any help,

Rick

Rick Hageman said:

Hi,

What length of exposures at 400-500mm have been acheived with a CG-5 mount? Both guided & unguided. I have a Celestron Onyx 80 EDF and a Canon 40D.

Any advice on another mount in this price range (used)? I have about $500 to spend on the mount/tripod.

Also, any links to good "hop up" or "massaging" to improve the mount. I've already checked out most of the verbage on astronomyboy.com.

Thanks for any help,

Rick

Caveat: I am talking about the go-to version ONLY.

Unguided? About 30 seconds with a C8 at f/4, about 800mm, that is. At that exposure the majority--but not all--of my shots were acceptable.

Guided? I can go for 15-minutes (as much I can/need to expose) with an ST2000 without trouble and very consistently if the rig is properly balanced.

Love my CG5, even though I have an Atlas, too.

Current CG5s do not need to have their grease replaced or, usually, any other tinkering done.

8)