Posts Made By: Alan Leutloff

What would you do? I find that my real love is astro-imaging. After purchasing a WO 66 Petzval for widefield imaging, and an LXD75 mount....I find that I just don't use my ole LX200 10" classic much anymore...and I am thinking that picking up a WO 110, and mounting my WO 66 as a guide might satisfy my astro-imaging quest. I hear WO may be coming out with a 110 doublet, f/6 after the first of the year...and so maybe the wait is worth it. Of course...if I win the lottery...I would also pick up an SBIG camera, and a G11 Gemini mount. But for now it's the WO on my LXD75 mount, and DSI imager.

So...my question to the imagers...would the 110 satisfy me? Would you sell the LX200 (to help fund the 110)? Or, should I keep the LX200 and buy the superwedge? Appreciate opinions...Alan

After owning 7 telescopes, catching aperture fever, then purchasing a WO refractor-and loosing the fever, all I really want to do is astro-imaging. Here is my current equipment...I have an LX200 10" classic (no wedge), a WO 66 Petzval, am LXD75 and a DSI (original). I have limited $$ (maybe up to $1000 without selling more equipment). I also find that I am now most interested in imaging DSO's and my imaging has improved considerably compared to a year ago. I am considering waiting for WO to come out with their 110 doublet and have visions of piggybacking my 66 on that scope and possibly picking up a Digital Rebel XT and use the DSI as a guide scope. (I think the boss would go for the Rebel...but I am concerned about image quality without spending the $$ for a modified Rebel). It has been suggested to me that I should consider getting the superwedge for my LX200 and the DSI pro...and piggyback the WO 66 on top. So...what to do? Thing is...I love the ease of setup with the 66 on my LXD75 mount...soooo I would appreciate suggestions for which way to go...expand on my current equipment or sell the LX200, and get a larger refractor...and camera? Any suggestions, or specific equipment comments are appreciated. Xmas is just 22 days away!! Alan

Hi Group...Santa was good to me for Xmas...and here is my "second" attempt with my new DSI-Pro (I've had practice with the DSI-C for a year) and my WO ZS 66-Petzval...and the Running Man with my new WO Megrez 90 (just got rings and can't wait for sky's to clear for attempting guided pics)...Let me know what ya think!! (36 x 42.4 sec subs). The Horsehead here was taken with my WO ZS66 Petzval believe it or not!! Alan

One more...first light with my new M90 of Orion. Taken with M90 on LXD75 mount and DSI-Pro unguided 100 x 15 sec subs (25 min exp). Alan

Here is a pic of my new setup with my WO Megrez 90 and WO 66 Petzval!!

Here is the latest of the Horsehead from last night!! 50 minutes total exposure (40 sec subs). Scope was my new Megrez 90 and DSI-Pro. Alan

This is only my second attempt of guiding with my new set up. Imaging with WO 66 Petzval, and DSI-Pro with f/6.3 fr, and guiding with Megrez 90 and DSI-C, on an LXD75 mount. Total exposure time is 50 minutes with 1 minute subs. Let me know what you think. Alan

Here is a quick one from last night...I was fighting the full moon and did not get a great alignment for a guided pic. Nevertheless...imaged with my Megrez 90, DSI-Pro, 6.3 focal reducer and OIII filter for 45 images w/15 sec subs. Added color and post processing using Noel Carboni's latest Astronomy Tools release. Comments appreciated. Alan

Here is my latest attempt with Orion. 8) Imager-Megrez 90 w f/6.3 FR and DSI-Pro, Guide-WO ZS66-Petzval and DSI-C. 125 x 15 sec subs, applied mask 25 x 5 sec subs in PS CS2 (my first try with applying a mask), added color with "Astronomy Tools". Also took R-G-B...but will "practice" adding R-G-B on a cloudy night (still learning techniques). Let me know what you think...or tips I can learn by. Alan

Well group...I should be embarrassed to post this as the exposure time was so short (6 minutes...15 sec subs)...and I fought clouds, a poor polar alignment and could not get the guide to guide...but here it is anyway. Taken with my DSI-Pro thru my Megrez 90. Post processing in PS CS2 and Noel Carboni's Astronomy Tools...spank me gently!!! Alan