Beginner Astrophotography Telescope

Hello All,

I am new to the site and I had a few questions I hope someone can help me with.

I own a Meade DS-2114S telescope and I am looking to get my next scope. Any scope would be an upgrade to this one. But I would like to get involved in Astrophotography. So I am first looking to get the telescope and mount and latter on get the camera equipment. But what type of telescope do I get? Do I get a Newt, or a SCT, or maybe a Mak? I am looking to get started in the 8" range.

I have looked at getting an older Celeston C8 SCT, or an Orion Skyview Pro 8 Eq, or possibly a Celestron Advanced Series C8-NGT. But I am not sure which one would work best.

Do you get a longer focal length so you can view planets and use a reducer to view Deep Space Objects?

Is there a general use telescope that can be used for viewing, Astrophotography, planets and Deep Space Objects?

I want to get a package deal that includes the mount. Are their any other ideas I am on a limited budget so I can't go much over $1200 for the scope and mount. If I get the Orion I can go ahead and get the camera equipment also. But is it better or worse than the Celestrons?

Please help. I have read and read and really need to find out what would be the best one to start with.

Thanks,

Jerry

To go deep into astrophotography, you need to spend quite a bit on the mount. Sorry to say, it is probably more than you have budgeted. Actually, about twice what you have budgeted.

However, if you are not going that deeply into it, you can get by with a good mount for about the amount you have budgeted. I would suggest you look into the Great Polaris class of scopes, and try to find one used.

After that, I would suggest you go with an SCT, and the type you mentioned would be good all around starter astrophotography scopes. Some scopes might be better at some objects, but the strength of an SCT is its flexibility. It gives good images, and can handle most of what you put on the back end for imaging.

Alex

On that type of budget you can most readily image planets with a webcam since a long exposure camera will cost a lot more.

I think the mount is the most important thing for imaging. If you get a decent mount, you can migrate through a number of scopes as you can afford better ones.

For modest astrophotography, I would agree with the previous post that an SCT will be most likely to give you some satisfaction. I would recommend you get a used one here on Astromart. I saw a C9.25 for sale recently for something like $800 - can't remember if that was just for the OTA. Some terrific photos have been taken with this scope and the ToUcam webcam. Seems like lots of bang for the buck.

Michael

Jerry,

I agree with others here that you are running a bit tight on your budget. I would highly recommend that you pick up a solid book on the topic before you spend any money, like Ron Wodaski's "The New CCD Astronomy". This book actually discusses different set-ups within different budget ranges, and I found it very helpful.

If you are willing to work with web cams and such, the cost can be a lot less. Wodaski's book emphasizes the high end, so take some of his recommendations with a grain of salt.

-David

As the others have said it can be very expensive, yet on the other hand looking at the used market there are bargains one can find that would meet your budget.

For wide field usually smaller faster scopes excel - those 80mm-4" APO's are just perfect for star clouds, large nebula, etc.
For a set up like that, Id find an old Vixen 80mm Fluorite and a Super Polaris mount, or maybe a WO Megrez or TV Pronto - both well corrected Achro's. Of course one can get a newer C-8 tube with Fastar capabilities and the SP mount. And I did have some success with fast newts (Celestron Comet Catcher) on the SP mount in the 80's and these can be had for short $$.

Overall I would definitely focus on the SCT's. They do nothing best, but do everything well. One of the best (THE best IMO...) fork mounted Astro setups was the old Celestron ULTIMA 8 PEC. Out of the box it was nearly perfect for astrophotography. Add a dec motor, focuser, and a OAG, and you’re done - these can be found for 800-1000 today and are a real Bargain IMO.

Jerry,

Take a look at the Hardin StarHoc 8. It's a bargain at $499. And on a good mount - not the one it's sold with - the fast f4 StarHoc 8 can take excellent film or digital pictures. Oh, you will also need a Baader Planetarium Coma Corrector for another $100. Bonus: The Hardin OTA weighs in at a mere 15 lbs.

Your best bet is to either find a used Ultima 8 like most guys are saying, or buy the Celestron Advanced Series SGT german Equatorial mount and a used C8 with the fastar option. Then later you can get the fastar lens and a used ST-237A CCD camera. In fastar mode, you can image at F1.95 and shoot unguided 30 second shots all night long without an autoguider. You will get some pretty good pictures with that setup and learn a lot about CCD imaging. Or you can get an Orion 80ED and a Digital Reble DSLR. That will hold you for a while until you can afford the high dollar stuff.
Ralph