Image of the day

Captured by
Douglas Rollain

LDN 1235 (Dark Shark)

My Account

New to Astromart?

Register an account...

Need Help?

Using the Meade ETX series for photos

Started by kd4avp_1, 01/26/2006 03:19AM
Posted 01/26/2006 03:19AM Opening Post
I have an opportunity to get an Meade ETX go-to scope to just kind of play around with shooting some images through. Nothing serious, just something to get my feet wet and see if this is something I want to dive into deeper as time goes on. Can the ETX-70 and up with the go-to feature give me some results? I dont expect anything dramatic. I know this scope leaves a lot on the table in this application, but just for something to goof with and for less than $250 it sounds like a fun thing to try. Any input from the forum on this idea?
Posted 01/26/2006 02:49PM #1
Yes, you can take pictures with it.

But it will be tough to do. And especially with film.

The mount is next to impossible for anything except wide-field, short exposures--that is, a 55 or shorter lens on a camera riding piggyback.

You may be able to take solar or lunar pictures through the actual tube.

Other than that, I don't think you should try to take a picture with it.

Save your money.

Alex
Posted 01/27/2006 12:36AM #2
I'd say go ahead and try, as long as you keep your expectations lower. ^_^

-Jason
Posted 01/27/2006 01:53AM #3
Hi Keith:

It depends on what you are hoping to image. The moon and maybe the jupiter and saturn are do-able. I have taken some with the ETX-70 I had just by hand holding a digital camera to a long focal length eyepiece.

Deep sky targets are more difficult, it depends on the camera and normally one needs a "wedge" to allow the scope to be equatorially mounted so that it tracks without rotation.

jon
Posted 01/28/2006 05:35PM #4

Google 'weasner etx'. Looks like a good resource for ETX stuff, and includes some photography.

sf