Telescope For Astrophotograpy - Forums

Topic starter

Apr 24, 2022

Lets say your wife sees how happy you are staying up all night cursing at the clouds, and the moon. Not to mention issues with equipment, all part of the sport, yes I call it a sport.

Let us say your wife knows you want a scope with more magnification so you can get better images of DSO's.

Now let us say, wife has agreed to let you spend up too 4k on a new scope. Mind you, the best scope I have to date is my Redcat 71, I love the images it takes, what I do wish is that I could get images of objects that are deeper than the 71 can handle.

So, anyone want to help me pick out a new scope?

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Sean van Drogen

Apr 24, 2022

To properly answer think we would need more info on what other gear you have.
I could recommend a nice RC10 but if you don't have the mount to carry it would not be a helpful suggestion.
Longer focal length will usually involve a mount upgrade which will eat up a lot of that 4k

CS Sean

Robert Winslow

Topic starter

Apr 24, 2022

Sean van Drogen:
To properly answer think we would need more info on what other gear you have.
I could recommend a nice RC10 but if you don't have the mount to carry it would not be a helpful suggestion.
Longer focal length will usually involve a mount upgrade which will eat up a lot of that 4k

CS Sean

Mount is EQ6R-Pro.
I have a decent F4 guidescope with a ZWO camera.
I have several OSC, as well as a nice BW on the way.

I will be receiving soon the AISAir, if it ever comes of back order, as well as the ZWO autofocuser.
I also have the standard dew heaters, and a big power bank.

Michael Ring

Apr 24, 2022

To go real deep I'd recommend a Celestron Edge HD 9.25" + 0.7 Reducer (1645mm), you will need a new guide camera (ASI174) and perhaps the ZWO OAG-L but besides that I love that scope…. and the EQ6-R is a good match. When you add the Starizona Hyperstar you are a little bit over Budget but then you also have a nice fast scope with f2.2 and 525mm.

For not so deep perhaps another nice one (shorter focal length(910mm) is:

TS-Optics Photoline 140 mm

I do not own it but see great pictures here on Astrobin.

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David Koslicki

Apr 24, 2022

I graduated from the 250mm fl Red Cat 51 to the 714mm fl Stellarvue SVX 102T. I knew that I wanted to get some experience with a close-but-not-quite 1,000mm scope before going any deeper. Sure enough, the increased focal length came along with some additional issues: differential flexure due to heavier scope, so off-axis guiding, but then issues with getting the guiding camera to focus along with the main camera, then issues finding guide stars, more stringent guiding requirements, etc. But I knew I wanted to stick with a refractor as that's what I was familiar with so could more readily diagnose these issues.

I absolutely love the Stellarvue and can highly recommend it (and it's within your budget, leaving $1k for accessories). I will note that I still use my Red Cat and have been setting it up for this upcoming Summer. With the Stellarvue at 714mm FL and a sensor 12.49mm x 9.99mm it's nowhere big enough to capture the North American, Pelican, Californian, etc. nebulae. I'm sure a larger sensor (plus the focal reducer I have yet to use) I could get these targets with the Stellarvue, but I'm loathed to change my imaging train after getting everything dialed in.

You might also consider a Newtonian astrograph: you'll get more aperture per $, though at the cost of reflector-related issues (collimation, etc.) . It's all about tradeoffs in this "sport" ;)

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Dale Penkala

Apr 24, 2022

Most of what I use to shoot with is Newts, so keeping that in perspective I think a good 8” f4-5 would be a good match for your mount. You will get a lot deeper then your 71 that is for sure! Your mount is rated for 44lbs (if memory serves me correct) and a longer OTA can give you a bit of a challenge if there is a fair amount of wind but the rewards are wonderful. I’ve done a lot with my 8” & 10” newts and I’m rebuilding my 12” f5 which should go on the mount this coming week.
I do think you maybe able to do say a sky watcher Quattro 10” f4 but you may tax the mount. Maybe others that have that or similar setup could provide more info on that.
If you watch the ad’s on Cloudy Nights you would be able to pick one up on the used market and save a few dollars and treat your wife as a thank you 😉

Dale

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andrea tasselli

Frequent contributor

Apr 24, 2022

I'd agree with Dale here above. Your best bet is on an imaging Newt, f/4 possibly, coupled with a good coma corrector. TS sells their line of UNC scopes which are kind of premium but very good mechanically and optically.