Imaging set-up: fixed or flexible?

As for your dilemma Brian. The main issue you might be facing is the difference in aperture with the F2 lens.
Some filters simply aren't made to run in an F2 scope/lens, and might struggle with giving good results.. so.. you might have to make some choices there.

Perhaps a "cheaper" option would be to swap out the F2 lens for a Redcat 51 at F4.9, or Askar 200mm lens at F4.
They should give good results as they are designed with astrophotography in mind + it brings your F-ratio's closer together, so you wouldn't have to get specific filters for a fast aperture, and could stick to filters that work for all your setups, making it far easier to switch things around. This gives you the flexibility within your setups, instead of buying items that might only work for one setup.



I have 2 rigs by now. Both are very similar in their setup, different focal lengths, but similar F-ratio and one mono, one colour.
And probably have enough spare parts by now to make a third setup..... oh the joys of astrophotography..

I run fixed setups, but I guess they could be flexible in terms of Mono and colour.
As it would be would be pretty easy to do given how similar my rigs are.  I'd only have to unplug 3-4 cables, disconnect at the filterwheel/drawer and replug things back in. Everything else I have doubles of and are already mounted on the scopes themselves. like 2x ASIAIR, 2x  ZWO EAF, power/cable management, Guiding, etc.

But, I haven't done that yet and prefer to keep them (at least for now) fixed in their individual rigs. 
At some point I'll switch the mono and colour around, as some wide field targets that I'd love to do in mono would suit the redcat better.
And then I'll probably leave them like that for a while.


My rig is even fixed to a point where, if I want to do solar imaging, I carry out my entire DSO scope and put it next to the mount. (because that has the ZWO ASIAIR on it) And I only have run one USB cable from the imaging camera to the ZWO ASIAIR instead of dismantling the ASiAIR on it's own ...

And my Redcat rig is entirely fixed. It doesn't even leave the mount. I pick up the entire mount+scope+everything and put it outside. 

overkill?... perhaps  but it works.



Sometimes I feel it's a bit of a shame that I run such "fixed" rigs. As I also have a Newtonian scope that I now never use.
1. I don't have a coma corrector for it.. I know.. I know.. shame on me.. 
2. I can't really be bothered with dismantling everything... 
But, like I said. I'm pretty sure I'm almost at a point where I could build a rig around the newtonian with spare/extra parts, that I could start using it with a simple swapping of a camera.

Hi Brian. I assume you are talking about a permanent set up. My situation  bit unique. I have accumulated several scopes and cameras after 16+ years of imaging.

I change scopes based on focal length. That is primarily determined by season and target.  However, I image from Bottle 7 skies and limited to narrow band of emission nebula. Galaxies for the most part are out. I have several scopes.
1. A Tak FSQ106ED (used)at F5 And F3.63 (most used),
2. Astro Physics AP130GTX (new)at F4.7,
3. C 9.25 at F7.5 (also have a C11 and Edge8,but no longer use for photo),
4. Astrotech AT65EDQ (used) at F6.5. Used only at dark sites for wide field with a modified T3 or older SXVR-M25c
There are other Maksutovs (used), a TMB130SS (new), small refractor and reflector, but those are primarily visual. By the way these scopes are an accumulation of 20 years in amateur astronomy. 

I have 3 CCD cameras that I use. They are
1. Starlight Xpress SX-694 (4.5 pix),
2.  SX-814 (3.7 pix) and
3. SX-46 (almost full frame KAF12600 with 6um pix) I have a over 10 year old SXVF-H9 that still work as new but no longer use (going to my son).

The match ups of cameras/scopes areas follows. 
1. Tak FSQ106ED w SX-814 at F3.64, and SX-46 at F5.
2. AP130GTX w SX-694 at F4.7
3. C9.25 w SX-694 at F7.5 (the SXVF-H9 larger pix is a good match also)

I now have added another scope to the mix.  USED Officina Stellarve RH200 at F3. The focal length is close to the AP130, but with 8" of aperture at F3.  Pixel size the SX-694 or SX-46 will be OK. 
 Like a dedicated photographer that will have multi focal length lens, I have learned one size does not fit all targets.

I have AP Mach1 in a POD observatory. It's max is 60 lbs. I like to keep it around 45 lbs. It would be ideal to have a tandem two scope set up with the Tak and AP130. But I'm not sure the Mach1 would handle  it. Those scopes are well built and heavier than most.

The C9.25 is only used at a dark site for galaxies or planetary with a separate mount.

You situation more likely very different from mine in suburban eastern Pennsylvania US with a high percentage of cloudy nights and poor seeing. Consequently the need for the fast F3 RH200. 

I think your question is difficult to answer. It depends not only on ones financial situation but mainly their location.  Not to mention ones personal commitment/attitude towards imaging.

The above is the accumulation of my personal approach to solve the problem.

Lynn K.

Brian Boyle:
well... perhaps just outside

Exactly !!

There is also another factor, at least in my case, that if the weather is fine (never is good in this region, due to an increasing number of factors related with climate change, pollution, ranging from light to smoke, and so on) then, I would like to be able to open de roof and starts imaging as soon as the camera reach the correct temperature. I have already programmed NINA for almost a year of targets, so I would like to have an almost permanent gear for that, plus a flexible/portable one.

So, within factors already mention, the possibility to be ready to go is something that I consider (I am still not there but trying).
Cheers and CS !