Alec Posted November 2, 2017 Share Posted November 2, 2017 So I've decided that I will follow the DSLR route as I'm quite familiar with the cameras. It seems that Canon is supported the most and will buy a Canon EOS 1000D/XS or similar with live view, and invest in Backyard EOS. I will also invest in a new scope thinking a Achromatic Refractor, what are your thoughts on Evostar 80ED or the Explore ES ED80 Triplet ? With the EQ5 mount fully working, and I can use the ZWO 120MC as a guide cam should have a workable solution. Lots of advise would be welcome before parting with my hard earned cash !!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+RonC Posted November 3, 2017 Share Posted November 3, 2017 The Canon is a must but have a look at the APT program, it's free and I've started using it instead of Backyard EOS because of it's added features ie: focusing aids, Bahtinov grabber etc.. I'm pleased with my SW ED80 pro and use a finder/guider scope without a problem.. Good luck Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philjay Posted November 3, 2017 Share Posted November 3, 2017 Canon 1000d have been the stock astro imager for along time, thousands of astro imagers cant be wrong, including me I modded mine for astro and that was relatively straightforward but nerve wracking. If your intending doing longer exposure imaging of deep sky objects you will be better off with an Apochromatic (Apo) refractor than an Achromat. The 2 scopes you mention are actually APOs. Achromats give much more colour in longer exposures, e.g. large blue halos around stars are the most common problem, although they can be used for shorter exposures with a bit of tweaking. The ED80 is an APO as it has 1 element of extra low dispersion glass in its objective. The ED80s are the workhorse of most imagers. They are great value for money and quality wise they are excellent. Cant vouch for the Explore Scientific but again it is an APO with ED glass so I am sure it will give good account of itself. I only use a finder guider nowadays. Having tried piggy backing and off axis guiding I find I faff alot less with this set up, some swear by OAG though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alec Posted November 3, 2017 Author Share Posted November 3, 2017 41 minutes ago, philjay said: Canon 1000d have been the stock astro imager for along time, thousands of astro imagers cant be wrong, including me I modded mine for astro and that was relatively straightforward but nerve wracking. If your intending doing longer exposure imaging of deep sky objects you will be better off with an Apochromatic (Apo) refractor than an Achromat. The 2 scopes you mention are actually APOs. Achromats give much more colour in longer exposures, e.g. large blue halos around stars are the most common problem, although they can be used for shorter exposures with a bit of tweaking. The ED80 is an APO as it has 1 element of extra low dispersion glass in its objective. The ED80s are the workhorse of most imagers. They are great value for money and quality wise they are excellent. Cant vouch for the Explore Scientific but again it is an APO with ED glass so I am sure it will give good account of itself. I only use a finder guider nowadays. Having tried piggy backing and off axis guiding I find I faff alot less with this set up, some swear by OAG though. Thx for the advice, I'm going to look at a ED80 today and will match up with a Canon 1000D then the long process of learning begins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philjay Posted November 3, 2017 Share Posted November 3, 2017 Enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alec Posted November 3, 2017 Author Share Posted November 3, 2017 1 hour ago, philjay said: Enjoy Bought the ED80 looks a nice scope. Is it worth buying a modded Canon http://www.dslrastromod.co.uk/products.html looking at £300 including the mod. Or just buy a body of Ebay? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perkil8r Posted November 3, 2017 Share Posted November 3, 2017 The modded camera will give you a lot better result for DSO's. It's up to you if you are confident to modify it yourself or not really and what price you are willing to put on the convenience of buying one ready done. Personally I would probably buy a modded one. In fact I did, second hand off here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red dwalf Posted November 4, 2017 Share Posted November 4, 2017 a cls clip filter would help with longer exposures, or a cls ccd if it`s a modded camera, for guiding i`d recommend an altair astro 60mm guide scope and a zwo 120 mono or colour camera or something similar, i use the mono version, works a treat although the cameras don`t like active usb cables if you are using them over any distance, if you are then buy a cheap printer cable of ebay and they work well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Bino-viewer Posted November 4, 2017 Share Posted November 4, 2017 i think you need something like a Fornax tracker, for use with Camera + lens / small scope. Easy transport & set up too. ....and i have just the thing http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=131224 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bagman Posted November 4, 2017 Share Posted November 4, 2017 I bought a second hand Canon 500d, fitted a CLS clip filter and have been very satisfied with the results. used APF to control the camera. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Graham Posted November 13, 2017 Share Posted November 13, 2017 My advice before you start astro photography is to get a well paid job and a good therapist Bottletopburly 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuckstar Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 (edited) And don't forget the most important thing, a big book of swear words. It won't work without that. Well, that's my observation as a visual monkey Edited November 17, 2017 by tuckstar red dwalf 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 One of the most important bits of kit imagers need is a big bag of cables of various lengths and terminations, it's crucial that none of these work properly. This is so you can then reference the big book of swear words and work towards becoming a proper imager. +Ibbo and tuckstar 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perkil8r Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 All of the above is correct. If all else fails swear. If that doesn't work, use google images and hope nobody twigs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alec Posted November 17, 2017 Author Share Posted November 17, 2017 3 hours ago, Perkil8r said: All of the above is correct. If all else fails swear. If that doesn't work, use google images and hope nobody twigs. Have the paid job, a therapist if need be, plenty of cables that are already iffy, and can swear in 2 languages. As for google images that's just cheating Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 28, 2017 Share Posted November 28, 2017 I ran DSS for over 5 hours and ended up with a series of vertical lines of different colours and not for the first time. A big budget helps but I'm finding loads of targets I can attack with an undriven mount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now