CGEM DX w/Sky-Watcher Skymax 150 Pro = Astrophotog

Greetings! Newb here, looking to build my first astrophotography scope. I started with buying a used CGEM DX mount, which I will likely send off for a Hypertune.

I still need a tripod and OTA. I had my heart set on a 100-130mm APO triplet refractor, with aspirations of going to 150-180mm using the same mount/tripod down the road.

But the $3k-$5k price is hard to pony up to, and I saw this scope for sale on EBay stating "APO-like" quality with pictures includee in the listing taken with the scope, which looked ok to me.

http://m.ebay.com/itm/201176542507

My question is, would this be a good jumping on point for an OTA, while I put away for the refractor I desire? I plan on using my Canon T3i camera using prime focus.

Just looking for veteran feedback. Thanks in advance for any opinions/expertise.

Michael

While it is inherently color corrected to Apo level, at F12 a Maksutov is not an ideal scope for astrophotography, especially when you are first starting out.

Rolando

Michael Teer said:

Greetings! Newb here, looking to build my first astrophotography scope. I started with buying a used CGEM DX mount, which I will likely send off for a Hypertune.

I still need a tripod and OTA. I had my heart set on a 100-130mm APO triplet refractor, with aspirations of going to 150-180mm using the same mount/tripod down the road.

But the $3k-$5k price is hard to pony up to, and I saw this scope for sale on EBay stating "APO-like" quality with pictures includee in the listing taken with the scope, which looked ok to me.

http://m.ebay.com/itm/201176542507

My question is, would this be a good jumping on point for an OTA, while I put away for the refractor I desire? I plan on using my Canon T3i camera using prime focus.

Just looking for veteran feedback. Thanks in advance for any opinions/expertise.

Michael

Hokay...first off, why are you buying a CGEM DX, and looking for another tripod for it? The tripod that _comes_ with the CGEM DX is the main reason for buying it and the major thing that makes it different from the standard CGEM.

As for the scope? This is a good choice for imaging the Moon and planets. The deep sky, stars, galaxies, nebulae? Not so much.

'Twere me, I'd look at an 80 - 100mm ED/APO refractor.

Also, if you think you just have to send the mount off to be "hypertuned" (most people would tell you that is not necessary unless it has problems), you should look at a different mount. Depending on the scope you choose, an Orion Sirius or Atlas might be a better choice for you.