Posts Made By: Jeff Green

Hello,

I am somewhat new to astrophotography and have done as much reading as i can . . .I know that the mount is crucial and i am trying to find the best match for this OTA. I keep hearing G11, G11, G11 but can't help but think this might be over kill for a small scope? It's not in my budget anyway, so i am trying to find best alternatives. Even the GM8 is too much for me, but I am not afraid to invest in the mount .. . .

Are there any others that can track well, but won't cost a s much? Used is no problem. Load would be the Orion 80ED or possibly a SV 1010. The cam would be a Canon 10D, and closer nebs, galaxies, and some planet and moon is my goal.

All help is appreciated.
Jeff

Hello,
Newbie here . . This will be my first scope and my goal is to eventually image with it. I'd like to pick some really nice eyepieces but am kind of lost in the ocean of choices. I hear all the recommendations for 3 ep's, low mid high, but what about 2 or one really nice one to start? I like the idea of the Powermate too, not sure which power would be best. I have decided on a 2" diagonal (Willam Optics) and wonder what recommendations for eyepieces you all might have?

A couple standouts after lotso of looking, are possibly the Panoptic 35mm, one 11mm-15mm Nagler and one 5-10mm Radian of some sort? Am I even close to being on track? Better options? I know these are really expensive ep, but I wanted to shoot high and then trim off the excess . . .then I'll have my Xmas list done!

I guess in my mind I'd like to get one top of the line piece to start and then fill in the others with 2nd shelf that are similar to those? Or one top shelf and a nice barlow/Powermate to expand its use?

Please help!!!

Thanks,
Jeff Green

Hello,

I have followed threads to no end, researched my butt off and sought opinions far and wide and have narrowed to a few scopes.

I am considering the MN66, m603 and the TAL 200K. Of course at this point I am just stumped. I have no way to see any of these scopes in person and keep getting conflicting info regarding astrophotography applications. I want to use my Canon 10D, prime focus for shooting lunar, planets and start with some of the easier DSO's.

I realize that I am probably down to personal preference and that all of these are good, but please thrwo in your input if you have it.

Mount is an Astrosky Dominator with a GM8. I have another heavier mount being built now that will be more precision and hold lots more weight.

I don't know yet if I'l use off-axis guiding or finderscope, but shoot an opinion on that too as regards to a specific scope. Obviously this brings in backfocus issues too.

As far as Mak-newts not being used for prime focus, I have been told that you can do it with low profile focusers, moving the primary or using the 2" OCS. I have seen the results and they are good.

My heart tells me to get the MN66, but the size of the others is tempting as I would transport this and wonder if balancing is easier?

My goals are astrophotography, with a strong background in regular photography. I am not as interested in cataloging objects as i am in getting crystal clear photos with high resolution. Contrast is an issue but can be adjusted later. I am sort of assuming that with the two slower scopes I would use a focal reducer for photos. Possible CCD in the future but not now.

Thanks for any input you can give to help out.
Jeff Green

-Also, I would most likely be looking for used . . and scope can be stored in outdoor shed so cooldown isnt so huge.

Howdy,

Still in analysis paralysis, but honing in fast. I have a GM8 with an Astrosky Dominator. Would this hold a MN66 and the Paralax rings OK? I am assuming that it's fine for visual but what about imaging?

Anyone have an MN66 thay are looking to dump? Preferably with the rings, JMI focuser etc . . .

Thanks,
Jeff Green

I have a JMI polar scope and the LED unit broke. So I ordered a new unit, but have found out its backordered for quite some time.

Does anyone happen to know the thread sizes of the Celestron illuminator? The silver one with the on/off /dimmer knob. . .

Any other recomendations for a replacement? I kinda want something permanant so i don't have to mess around with a flashlight or have the hole open.

Thanks!
Jeff

Hello,

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I can't find the answer!

Can the Meade 3.3 reducer be used on a c9.25?
Negative effects?

Thanks!
Jeff Green

Howdy,

I am trying to get a basic eyepiece starter set for my C9.25. I wil put some more cash into them later, but needed something to get up and running.

This is what i came up with so far:

40mm U/O MK-70 for 59x (have 2" W/O diagonal)
18mm U/O Ortho for 130x
12.5mm U/O Ortho for 188x

No, I don't have stock in U/O! hehe But these are low cost alternatives until I can build a nicer set.

If money allows, i intend to add or replace with Pentax XL's, maybe 28mm, 21mm, 14mm, 10.5mm

Any thoughts are wonderful.

Jeff G.

Howdy,

I had my 3rd night with my new to me C9.25. I am a rank newbie, and saw M42 for the first time ever last night. I used a Pentax 14mm XL and saw the 5th E star in the Trapezium. Seeing was pretty good but I could see some clouds up there so the moments were fleeting. The clear spots were very clear though. nice view of Saturn but it was killing me because I knew it could handle way more magnification and I don't have the EP's yet or a barlow.

Anyway, i sketched what i saw and ran into work today to check it on the web to see if I really saw it. Why am I so excited about it? heheh

Another thrill was showing my 4 year old boy the moon. He gasped and asked me if he could see men walking on it.

Clear SKIES!
Jeff

I am doing eyepiece projection imaging using a 9.25 and a digital SLR. Choosing between a Pentax 10.5 XL, a 10mm Radian and a 11mm Nagler T6 does it make much difference other than slight color or contrast issues? (and the 1mm difference of the Nagler obviously)

Just wondering if there is something i am not thinking of, like maybe the size of the eye lens or I don't know what?

Jeff

Hello,

I am wondering if anyone has used a DiaGuider and what they thought about it? I am looking for a smiliar device and haven't heard a word about this one.

Thanks!
Jeff Green