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01/03/2004 07:13:04 PM · #1 |
I'm thinking of purchasing a telescope at some point (perhaps this one: Bushnell Deep Space 675 with camera adapter) and wondered if anyone has any tips, recommendations or examples of what might be achieved.
Thanks
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01/03/2004 07:23:41 PM · #2 |
If anyone has insights or info on using a binocular or monocular it would be helpful.
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01/03/2004 10:11:03 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by Imagineer:
I'm thinking of purchasing a telescope at some point (perhaps this one: Bushnell Deep Space 675 with camera adapter) and wondered if anyone has any tips, recommendations or examples of what might be achieved.
Thanks |
I ould suggest that you look at Orion Telescopes before you lay out the cash. In addition to selling scopes, they have a lot of good educational material about scopes and specifically purchasing a first telescope and what you can expect to see. You should not expect to produce high quality results ala NASA unless you want to spend more on your scope and other equipment than you would for a small house and then spend enough time learning to use it expertly.
If you want to shoot the moon, planets or other relatively bright objects, that is relatively easy with a good scope and a proper camera mount. If you want to shoot deep space objects like nebulae etc., you will need an autoguider to keep the object still in the frame.
Do a google search on astrophotography and do some research before you get a lot of money into equipment and realize that you should have spent the money elsewhere.
Personally, if I were buying a scope for astrophotography, I would buy a quality refractor, since that could be used as a spotting scope and telephoto (though it will not be AF, nor have an adjustable aperture) lens as well.
I currently own a 8" Dobsonian and like to take it out on those rare occasions when the skies clear up here in MI. I bought it for looking through, it is not really good for shooting through.
I would suggest you lookup a local astronomical society and ask there. Most astronomy groups have all-night "star parties" where the members get together, set up their scopes and look at the heavens. They are almost always more than willing to answer questions, and most importantly let you look through the scopes. It's a great way to try before you buy and learn what you are getting into.
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01/03/2004 10:17:06 PM · #4 |
I agree with spazmo it can get really expensive fast. I have a meade 10" scope and with that and my D60 its still really difficult to get anything that makes you go wow, and that is dropping $3000 on a scope and the pieces I needed, though I got the camera after the scope so I wasent getting it for photography.
I have spent 4-5 hours out shooting and then 3-5 more processing the photo's in astrostack. though I have gotten some rewarding pictures of the moon, mars and jutpiter. It was not an easy Task.
I know these are not really tips but like spazmo want you to research before you invest a lot of money.
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01/03/2004 10:44:45 PM · #5 |
| I have a simple meade ETX-70 and an eyepiece from scopetronix, //www.scopetronix.com, that will work with nikon coolpix 950/990/995/4500 camera. While this is very basic, I have been able to get some decent shots of the moon. I recommend scopetronix for information and products for astrophotography. |
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01/03/2004 11:59:57 PM · #6 |
| Well, in the meantime, for you astrophotography buffs, word is that the first Mars lander is down and alive, so I'd expect to see some new photos of the Martian surface soon ... |
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01/04/2004 01:31:40 AM · #7 |
I would recommend a solid telescope mount as the first priority. a good Equitorial mount and some type of auto tracking is a must (not the same as an autoguider) a nice refractor will do well and celestron makes some good ones and are a fair price compaired to others.
also check out Astromart there are a lot of used telescopes in good shape there.
oh and you will need some patience and dont get too discouraged when your first few images are not what you think they should be. I was real sad when my first few images of M42 (the orion nebula) were very poor. Im am just a little better now at it but not much.
James
Message edited by author 2004-01-04 01:34:12. |
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01/04/2004 02:52:07 AM · #8 |
| Watching NASA TV right now as the first images from the rover are coming over. Way cool! |
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01/04/2004 06:54:26 PM · #9 |
| Thanks for all the useful assistance here. I'm on the case! |
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04/23/2004 05:22:25 PM · #10 |
Daily Humor
April 23, 2004
While working in a photographic-supply store, I was demonstrating a telescope to a customer who had recently become interested in star-gazing. I pointed out that he could attach his camera to the telescope and take pictures of his celestial findings. "That sounds great," he said, "but wouldn't I need a really big flash?"
- submitted to Reader's Digest by Duncan Burnham
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