Noobie - DSLR'ing

Hi folks,
I have an f6 newtonian on autostar driven GP mount.
I have a SOnt A-100 and Nikon D-80 DSLR. What do I need to get started, and I guess everyone prefers using the Nikon rather than Minolta? Do you think I need 2" T-Adaptor or is 1.25 sufficient? Obviously if I have to get 2" barlow it will be $$$.
Any quick suggestions, and what do you use for image processing from DSLR? Do you take a good few shots and stack them like on webcam?

Any advice much appreciated.
Martin

You need a camera adapter and a t-ring to fit your camera.

I would get a 2 inch adapter if at all possible (assuming you have a 2 inch focuser). You probably will not be using a Barlow unless you contemplate planetary imaging--and then you would be better off with a webcam based system than the DSLR.

You will also want something to connect your system to a laptop if you are in it for real. This means a couple of cables and a piece of software. Anything from Nebulosity to Images Plus, depending on your budget.

And yes, you do stack images....but not quite like you do with a webcam.

Alex

Martin Doyle said:

Hi folks,
I have an f6 newtonian on autostar driven GP mount.
I have a SOnt A-100 and Nikon D-80 DSLR. What do I need to get started, and I guess everyone prefers using the Nikon rather than Minolta? Do you think I need 2" T-Adaptor or is 1.25 sufficient? Obviously if I have to get 2" barlow it will be $$$.
Any quick suggestions, and what do you use for image processing from DSLR? Do you take a good few shots and stack them like on webcam?

Any advice much appreciated.
Martin

Once you get a T ring for the camera and a T adapter for the scope, the next hurdle will be to check to see if the camera will reach focus--many won't with Newtonians. In that case, the mirror will have to be relocated closer to the secondary.

8)