Posts Made By: Rick Bartolomeo

I wasnt sure whether to put this in CCD imaging or here. But i am a beginner at this.
I have a 10" LX200 GPS and want to get into Imaging. I am looking at getting a DSI 2 Color and i have a few questions that i cant seem to find anywhere. The Meade site is pretty Vague.

1st- would this be a good Camera to start with?

2nd- do i need to look into a guide scope with the DSI? and if so what do i use?

3rd- Is there a book like Astrophotography for Dummies that explains all this photography stuff in lamens terms and gives me a good idea of what i need ( ie weights, how to use a guide scope and hook it up. etc)

If i am in the wrong forum please let me know and i will go to CCD one but that one seemed to be a bunch of "got their stuff together" astrophotographer showing their pictures ( which are awesome btw)

I love my scope and wanna get the most out of it. Please help me out. thanks

Rick

Has anyone used these Eyepieces and are they decent EPs. they are on Ebay for a reasonable price and the seller "Russel Optics" has a great feed back rating. thanks

Rick

I firdt put this on beginner forum but got no response so hopefully u guys will be able to help me out a little bit here.

I have a 10" LX200 GPS and want to get into Imaging. I am looking at getting a DSI 2 Color and i have a few questions that i cant seem to find anywhere. The Meade site is pretty Vague.

1st- would this be a good Camera to start with?

2nd- do i need to look into a guide scope with the DSI? and if so what do i use?

3rd- Is there a book like Astrophotography for Dummies that explains all this photography stuff in lamens terms and gives me a good idea of what i need ( ie weights, how to use a guide scope and hook it up. etc)

If i am in the wrong forum please let me know and i will go to CCD one but that one seemed to be a bunch of "got their stuff together" astrophotographer showing their pictures ( which are awesome btw)

I love my scope and wanna get the most out of it. Please help me out. thanks

Rick

I have ordered my Dan's Pier plate and Purchased a used Milburn Deluxe Wedge from a fellow Astromarter (which i recieved yesterday). And the Skyshed Plans should be here in a day or two. I am clearing my spot for the observatory. WOOT!!!. This was my Christams Present from the Wife and Kids. Arent they Great?

I will start posting images as i build it for those that are interested. I Have been wanting this since i have moved out here to TN. I am out of town a bit and i get decnet dark skys.

Anyone know how high the Dan's pier plate and Milburn Deluxe wedge and Meade LX200 GPS is total so i know how high to build my Pier? Just thought i would ask.

Rick

Ok here we go. First off let me give u guys the facts. I have a LX200 GPS 10inch with Milburn Deluxe Wedge and in process of building observatory. I have relatively decent dark skys in TN. If u guys need more infor just let me know.

Now i am a very Noob star gazer but i am a quick learner. (at least i like to think i am) but u guys make my head spin sometimes with all the technical lingo. I want to get started in astrophotography and i am looking into what camera would be the best to start off with for under $1k. Now dont laugh. i know compared to some of u rich people out there that isnt anything but remember i am also investing money in my observatory and i just bought the wedge, dan's pier plate, and the list keeps growing. My wife is starting to raise her eyebrows at me and i know she is getting ready to start cutting me off or i will need to put a bed in my observatory too.

I have been doing some research but all i get is confused. i know i want to start with a B/W Camera but im trying to see what is the best one to start with Meade DSI, Stellecam III, etc but i need some inputs from u guys. I also need to know how critical a guide scope is. I love deep space objects (galaxys are my favorite).

I am also unsure how good the mount is on my scope and how well it will perform.

Now that i have layed all this out for you guys please go gentle with me. I have the book Astrophotography for the Amateur and myabe i am a little slow but that book seems to be over my head. I thought i was good in math but that book has me changing my mind. I purchased Astronomy For Dummies ( which i think is a great book for the amateur astronomer by the way) but it doesnt cover Photography. Is there a book that is dumbed down a bit so i could understand it.

Thanks for taking the time to read all this and help me out.

Rick in TN

Ok i know i have been told that the Canon and Nikon are the best DSLR to use for Astrophotography. How does an Olympus e300 or 500 stack up to these good and bad and why? Thanks
Rick

Ok if i purchase a new Canon 300D or 350D and take pics of the night without making the modification of removing the filter over the chip ( i think that is what is done) what will it look like and will it work or not? Does it make any difference if i dont use the telescope and just use the camera lens? Thanks

Rick

OK guys it is me again, I purchased a plastic shed from Sams Club yesterday and as i was setting it up i was thinking what a good observatory it would make. Since I am in the beginning stages of building my observatory (Clearing area and getting ready within the next few weeks to pour pier) i went to google and typed in "Plastic shed observatory and this popped up http://www.mapug-astronomy.net/AstroDesigns/MAPUG/ShedObsry.htm

This is the exact plastic shed that i am considering purchasing. What i am wondering is if anyone else has made an observatory using these or something similar to these and could they give me some words of wisdom.

My biggest concern was that the easy bolts that hold the roof in place are plastic and i was wondering if they would wear out over time or if the roof would wear out.

also should I put the scope up higher than the guy in the pics. any ideas would be great. I am picking your brains again. So please give me all points of view. Good or bad. The shed from Sams Club is $862.00 which isnt too bad. Thanks guys

Rick

I was told that i might get a little more response on this forum so here it goes.

OK guys it is me again, I purchased a plastic shed from Sams Club yesterday and as i was setting it up i was thinking what a good observatory it would make. Since I am in the beginning stages of building my observatory (Clearing area and getting ready within the next few weeks to pour pier) i went to google and typed in "Plastic shed observatory and this popped up http://www.mapug-astronomy.net/AstroDesigns/MAPUG/ShedObsry.htm

This is the exact plastic shed that i am considering purchasing. What i am wondering is if anyone else has made an observatory using these or something similar to these and could they give me some words of wisdom.

My biggest concern was that the easy bolts that hold the roof in place are plastic and i was wondering if they would wear out over time or if the roof would wear out.

also should I put the scope up higher than the guy in the pics. any ideas would be great. I am picking your brains again. So please give me all points of view. Good or bad. The shed from Sams Club is $862.00 which isnt too bad. Thanks guys

Rick

Well the weather was great this weekend and I started building my Observatory. I am really excited about it. Check out my Pics at
http://bella-luna-observatory.spaces.live.com/
and let me know what you guys think about it so far.

Rick