Given the choice.... - Forums

Topic starter

Oct 18, 2023

Hello

So i`m assuming most of us on here have more than one scope? So given the choice which scope do you tend to image with more? Do you prefer wide field or more close up work (longer focal lengths)? Assuning most of us have scopes of differing focal lengths.

Just interested in peoples opinions really…..

Engaging

Mike H - Sky View Observatory

Oct 18, 2023 · Edited: Oct 18, 2023

Most of my imaging is with a WO GT81 Triplet w/reducer flattener. I prefer wide field imaging (382mm). That field of view tends to suit most of my interests. The target choices are almost limitless at that focal length. I do have a 130mm Triplet and a C8 but the 81mm is my favorite.

I do admit however that the images that come from these big CDKs make me lust after them. Maybe someday

Mike

dkamen

Oct 18, 2023

My Newt has excellent colours and is a 150mm f/5.

My refractor has half the aperture, a slight CA and despite the advertised f/5.9 is more like f/6.1 with the flattener.

Nevertheless, I prefer the refractor (WO ZS73II f/6) because I can carry the whole thing assembled, because it has a 10:1 focuser that usually holds focus the whole night and because frankly most of the time seeing is so bad the end result is the same, if not better.

Helpful Insightful Respectful Engaging

JohnHen

Oct 18, 2023 · Edited: Oct 18, 2023

I use my second smallest scope most, a 85mm refractor because it is fast to setup in backyard and small enough to grab for travel.
CS, John

andrea tasselli

Frequent contributor

Oct 18, 2023

I would use the largest aperture I have all the times (and damn the torpedoes!) which is a 30cm f/4 newt but wind is the cut-off factor here so I might have to relay on the the smaller 6" f/4 newt which is much less affected by wind loading. If I have enough energy I might also bring the 300mm tele-lens into the fray so at time I might have 3 rigs running at the same time. So probably the 6" newt is seeing most of the night time, while the 30cm newt follows closely and the 300mm refractor/lens is a distant third. I'm pondering whether adding another rig is a worthwhile enterprise…

Engaging

dkamen

Oct 18, 2023

Right, actually no matter which telescope sees action, the DSLR with the Samyang 135 and the little StarAdventurer will also see action. And for many hours after I've packed the scope. Until the camera runs out of battery. But that's not a choice, it's more of a parallel given.

Joe Linington

Oct 18, 2023

It's really hard to compare without a standard sensor size. I have 3 sensor sizes from u4/3 to FF and different pixel sizes. So with 2 scopes I can go from pretty wide field to in close and detailed. My 102ed (571mm f/l) 294mm bin1 rig is always imaging. It is my most stable and reliable and I put it together after almost a year of almost exclusively doing wide field with my 76mm (342mm f/l) and FF sensor. It doesn't sound like a huge change but one samples at 0.84 arcseconds and the other at 3 arcseconds.

I usually have one rig close in and the other very wide or doing a mosaic. So about equal.

Anthony (Tony) Johnson

Oct 18, 2023

I have a Sky-Watcher 82ED fl=530mm without reducer. Also I have a Meade 12”SCT fl=3048 without focal reducer. Most of my imaging is done with my 12”. Favor galaxies and smaller planetary nebulas and globular clusters. I like the closeup and personal look at objects. I do like shots taken with my 82 but I use that more for larger galaxies and nebulas such as M42 and open clusters. But I’d say 70% of my photos are with my 12”.

Helpful

Dave Rust

Oct 18, 2023 · Edited: Oct 20, 2023

I think there is scope-envy for whatever you don't have!

My WO GT71 (around 400mm with flattener at ƒ4) is terrific for this time of year when nebula targets are so prominent. Then I switch to an EDGEHD (2350mm at ƒ10) for galaxy season.

At the moment, I actually switch scopes on the same mount/tripod. It's so much trouble (and slightly risky) to switch that I'm just sticking with the EDGE this year). But I'm missing out on some wonderful targets, including dark nebula that are just too hard to expose well at ƒ10.

But I'm watching mount technology carefully before getting a super-lightweight mount and tripod for the WO so switching becomes super easy. Plus, the WO rig would be easy to transport (I don't move the EDGE much), adding versatility. For example, an iOptron HEM27EC mount on carbon fiber tripod would easily hold the WO and total weight of the whole rig would be 20 pounds (the EC version may make the extra guiding gear unecessary)! That's a lot better than the EDGE's 80 pounds!

Helpful Insightful Respectful Engaging

Bob Lockwood

Oct 18, 2023

I have two scopes and two cameras that give me 4 fields of view. So it's not what I like or use more, it's the target that determens what I use.

Baronvonsmoogle

Oct 21, 2023

I use my 8" Newtonian reflector the most. It is the easiest and quickest to set up.
My 72mm refractor is smaller and lighter but, with the EQM-35 mount and cables, it is a bit harder to set up than my EQ-6R that I use with the 8" Newt.

NighttimeskyGuy

Oct 22, 2023

Agree with Bob above, but if it was down to just one scope, I'd vote for a good 80 mm apo.
CS

Patrick Graham

Oct 22, 2023

For me, as for others here, it depends on the target and framing I'm trying to achieve. If I want an entire nebula such as the Heart and Soul, I'll go with my WO RedCat71 and ZWO 2400MC-Pro. I used this combination on the Veil Nebula complex and was amazed at the detail even though the CCD suitability calculator in Astronomy Tools indicated significant under-sampling. Even zoomed in on the individual filaments, the detail and resolution was outstanding. For galaxies, I go with either my StellarvueSVX-130T or Skywatcher Esprit 150ED and either my ASI 183MC-Pro or ASI 2600MM-Pro. Since I travel to dark sky sites for my imaging, the smaller scope sitting on my AM5 is becoming my preference for imaging as traveling with heavier equipment is becoming cumbersome. The AM5 will handle the 130 easily. Haven't tried the 150 on the AM5 yet. It's probably too heavy. In any case, target, framing and ease of portability determine what I use. Hope this makes sense.

Patrick

Helpful Insightful Respectful Engaging Supportive

Anthony (Tony) Johnson

Oct 22, 2023

Patrick Graham:
For me, as for others here, it depends on the target and framing I'm trying to achieve. If I want an entire nebula such as the Heart and Soul, I'll go with my WO RedCat71 and ZWO 2400MC-Pro. I used this combination on the Veil Nebula complex and was amazed at the detail even though the CCD suitability calculator in Astronomy Tools indicated significant under-sampling. Even zoomed in on the individual filaments, the detail and resolution was outstanding. For galaxies, I go with either my StellarvueSVX-130T or Skywatcher Esprit 150ED and either my ASI 183MC-Pro or ASI 2600MM-Pro. Since I travel to dark sky sites for my imaging, the smaller scope sitting on my AM5 is becoming my preference for imaging as traveling with heavier equipment is becoming cumbersome. The AM5 will handle the 130 easily. Haven't tried the 150 on the AM5 yet. It's probably too heavy. In any case, target, framing and ease of portability determine what I use. Hope this makes sense.

Patrick

Looked up your Skywatcher Esprit 150ED and they say the tube weighs in at 34lbs. Depending how on what you put on it as far as your imaging train you should be good. The AM5 will handle 44lbs with the counterweights. I routinely see it with the Celestron C11 which weighs around 28lbs. As I don’t have the mount yet, will be getting it later this year, I’m banking on that weight max because I have a 12” SCT that weighs 34lbs and do planning for on using it on that mount. Gives me a 10lb leeway. And my camera and reducer weigh around 3lbs. Knowing how they like to keep the max under what it will truly handle I figure I’m good. If not sell it and get a smaller edge. Maybe the 9.25. Still like that up close and personal look at those tiny galaxies.

Helpful

Tom Marsala

Oct 22, 2023

I love all the replies here! I've got seven telescopes (I'm including my 300 mm lens) and two mounts with two Dobs. But if I had to evacuate in 10 minutes, I would take my 13-in newt without a doubt. I use it 90% of the time anyway. Between the three casses and the three newtonians and the 300 mm lens, each one has their own function. But my best resolution and my favorite field of view comes from my 13-in F4.5.

Engaging Supportive

Perfect post

Oct 22, 2023

Love my Edge HD over all else. I don't care if it's a longer setup time, or whatnot- that's why I'm getting a 14!

Matthew Proulx

Oct 23, 2023 · Edited: Oct 23, 2023

Depends on what I want to image. I prefer long focal lengths and small targets though and theres no limit to what I can image there any time of the year. There's always going to be scope envy like Dave Rust said. You could have them all and never be happy. I know lol.
The best scenario is multiple scopes permanently mounted so you don't have to pick and choose.

Patrick Graham

Oct 23, 2023

Patrick Graham:
For me, as for others here, it depends on the target and framing I'm trying to achieve. If I want an entire nebula such as the Heart and Soul, I'll go with my WO RedCat71 and ZWO 2400MC-Pro. I used this combination on the Veil Nebula complex and was amazed at the detail even though the CCD suitability calculator in Astronomy Tools indicated significant under-sampling. Even zoomed in on the individual filaments, the detail and resolution was outstanding. For galaxies, I go with either my StellarvueSVX-130T or Skywatcher Esprit 150ED and either my ASI 183MC-Pro or ASI 2600MM-Pro. Since I travel to dark sky sites for my imaging, the smaller scope sitting on my AM5 is becoming my preference for imaging as traveling with heavier equipment is becoming cumbersome. The AM5 will handle the 130 easily. Haven't tried the 150 on the AM5 yet. It's probably too heavy. In any case, target, framing and ease of portability determine what I use. Hope this makes sense.

Patrick

Looked up your Skywatcher Esprit 150ED and they say the tube weighs in at 34lbs. Depending how on what you put on it as far as your imaging train you should be good. The AM5 will handle 44lbs with the counterweights. I routinely see it with the Celestron C11 which weighs around 28lbs. As I don’t have the mount yet, will be getting it later this year, I’m banking on that weight max because I have a 12” SCT that weighs 34lbs and do planning for on using it on that mount. Gives me a 10lb leeway. And my camera and reducer weigh around 3lbs. Knowing how they like to keep the max under what it will truly handle I figure I’m good. If not sell it and get a smaller edge. Maybe the 9.25. Still like that up close and personal look at those tiny galaxies.

*Thanks for doing that. My imaging training probably comes in at about 5 pounds so I'll still have room to play with. I plan on setting it up soon to see how it handles.

CS, Patrick

John Davies

Oct 23, 2023

I've got a large (EdgeHD 9.25 + CGX) with 520, 1350 & 2350mm FL and small (Askar FRA500 + AM5) with 350 and 500, I also occasionally use a Canon 200mm.

The Askar gets by far more use simply because I can carry it out all pre-wired up, polar align and be imaging within 10-15 minutes. The larger scope takes multiple trips, needs wiring up, the cameras and filters connecting, the dew shields etc. it's a good 30-45 minutes before I can image. Our summers are just a few hours of short twilight and winters cloudy and cold, if I get a short clear spell then out comes the portable rig and I'm making the most of it.

It's not just the weight of the scope and mount, if I use the C9.25 then I tend to use the HyperStar quite simply because I can see more at 520mm that over 1000. If I had to own just one telescope it would likely be something in the range of 250-500mm FL.

Helpful Insightful Engaging Supportive

Related discussions

smaller scope to complement my TS125ED F7.8

I've been looking for a smaller scope to complement my TS125ED F7.8. The large doublet is great for visual, a bit slow for photography, but given enough exposure and clear skies it delivers nice pictures. On my shortlist were the TS F-APO 102F7, ...

Discusses complementary scopes with different focal lengths and purposes.

Feb 19, 2025

70mm Petzval or 110mm triplet?

Hi all, I was thinking about buying a combo setup in future and i don't know which one out of two i should go with, one is so expensive while the other is cheaper, it will be like an add to another setup without details about that, so i don't...

Compares two different scope options for imaging work.

Jul 1, 2025

Fast Scope vs Large Aperture

I tried to get some feedback on another forum but it was crickets so I am going to try here where there is good conversation. So I have literally spent hours reading about this the last few days. I am not nearly as smart as many of the people in this...

Explores trade-offs between scope characteristics for different observing goals.

Feb 20, 2025