SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

...and assorted ramblings.

So... 2", or 1.25", eyepieces?
Most reviews say that the 2" eyepieces are much nicer to view through.
But as anybody who has looked knows, the 1.25" certainly dominate the field. 2" or even in some cases 3" Crawford focusers are the "norm".
So as a wannabe (want-to-be) star-gazer, I'm curious about what you advanced astronomers think.

I'm leaning toward the 2". I have a 2" camera (DSLR) adapter in two wish lists. Then I revised again...
But practically speaking... (here we go...) How important is the size of the eyepiece? Seems as though the light gathers and focuses down to about sensor size, or retina size. So is there a real gain? Or is it a perceived picture?
Is a 1.25" a porthole? Is a 2" really a "picture window"? I even measured the "hole" in my camera and 1.25" is more than adequate.

But me being me, I'm really leaning toward CMOS or CCD camera and direct laptop capture and control.

You could say I'm not one to walk into the water. I'm more of walk along the cliff and then dive in type. So far no broken necks.... (But I'm sure my wife has thought about it.)

I've watched several ofwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3De0JSTF8SGi4&sigr=11b42akff&tt=b&tit=Astrophotography+without+a+star+tracker&sigt=1175hno7n&back=https%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fyhs%2Fsearch%3Fp%3DForrest%2BTanaka%26ei%3DUTF-8%26hsimp%3Dyhs-002%26hspart%3Dmozilla&sigb=12q51403a&hspart=mozilla&hsimp=yhs-002" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Forrest Tanaka's video's. And while he demonstrates how to Image with a DSLR, he actually does most of his imaging with a CCD camera. And that makes sense to me. (I use CCD and CMOS interchangeably.)

Scope wise, an Orion 8" Astrograph is currently my forerunner, with an Orion 80mm Apochromatic CF that is callin my name.
Honestly, I'm kind of shying away from the "maintenance" a Newtonian wants. If I have to collimate the darned thing, or check it, every time I set it up, well, that degrades the fun of actually using it.
So much so that I think it is worth the added cost to go "APO" and be done.

Call me lazy. I'd like to set-up and get to playing. I like automatic and gadgetry sort of stuff. And great pictures.
I've always been a tinkerer. But I'm getting old enough now to like sitting on my butt more. (After setting up, and occasionally applying the latest improvement idea. :roll: )
So sitting looking at the universe is very appealing. Combining it with a laptop is even more interesting, to me.

But would a 80mm scope get me "out there"?
I do know my spotting scope is not, but it did let me get a glimpse of the Orion Nebula. I had to run in the house and excitedly tell my wife. :-o
And my 600mm end of my Tamron lens has been less than "stellar".

So it has almost reached trigger time.
Here is the list:
http://amzn.com/w/MN6IHWZ7YUIF
1. AVX mount
2. Scope
3. Filter wheel (w/listed filters installed)
4. Flip Mirror
5. Zoom Eyepiece in the top of the flip mirror.
6. Orion G3 camera in the back end of the flip mirror.
7. T2 mount to switch from G3 to DSLR.

I have my own lens heater I made, and a 12 volt power supply. And other items.

Seasoned advice/opinions Welcomed. :-D

NormanHarley Loc: Colorado

You have been doing a lot of homework here! I have been looking at a Celestron NexStar Evolution 8 for quite a while. I am going to check out your set up and maybe I will be going in a new direction.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Done.
Much of it should arrive by Tuesday. :shock:

:lol: :thumbup: :lol: :thumbup: :lol: :thumbup:

(I told you I was one to dive in...) :lol:

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

Congratulations Sonny. Welcome to the AVX club.
Now we'll be pestering you for information.:P
Could I get a complete run down on exactly what you purchased.
Craig

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

The list. Here's a breakdown:
All through Amazon.

Celestron Advance VX mount. Coming from Adorama Camera

Orion 9534 ED80T CF Triplet Apochromatic Refractor Telescope

Orion 53082 StarShoot G3 Deep Space Color Imaging Camera

Oop's, sorry did not mean to post. Incomplete...

Now this camera will be mounted to the flip mirror housing rear portal. The "top" portal of the housing I plan to use eyepieces in, starting with the zoom eyepiece.
That housing I plan to hang from the back of the filter wheel, which will be mounted to the scope.
All the filters will be mounted to the wheel so they can be rotated into place. (With an empty spot for no filtering.) 1. Set. 2. Light Pollution Filter. 3. Nebula Oxygen Filter.

Deep breath.....

Celestron 18778 AC Adapter (Black)

DSLR adaptor
(The plan there is being able to switch one or the other camera.) :hunf: ;-)

The best laid plan of the blind mouse.
I hope I can work with all this stuff to get some pictures. Maybe even a photograph.... :?

My reasoning is start here, finish here. I'm afraid a Reflector (Newtonian) would be a bit frustrating for me. So I decided to start with this.

Looks like I will be entering the water on Monday according to Amazon. A lot of it should be here then.
No definite word on the AVX yet, though. So I might have a lot of pretty things with nothing to hang it on for a day or more. :hunf:

No going back now. :twisted:

Oknoder Loc: Western North Dakota

Reflectors really do not need to be collimated for every viewing session, usually when you first get it and then a few times a year or when you notice any issues. Usually if you are very careful with them, once a year is good enough, though a ride in a car can jostle the mirror cells out of alignment, not to mention dropping them.

Two inch eyepieces are usually preferred, because they tend to give a better field of view along with more eye relief. I like having my focusers set up for 2" eyepieces so that way I can switch between both 1" and 2". 2" tend to run a bit more especially when looking into filters and all other accessories.

The only critique I would give with your present setup is the G3 color. Since you are planning on using filters, the mono version, if they make one, would be the better way to go, since it has a much higher quantum efficiency and higher resolution. I have a color CCD, but I got it for song used, so I thought if it could put out an image it would be worth it, so far I still prefer my Nikon.

I wouldn't worry too much about not having all your equipment without the mount, since as soon you get any new piece of astro gear it will get cloudy for an amount of time relative to the cost of the equipment purchased.

Clear skies,
Matthew

NormanHarley Loc: Colorado

Right on, Sonny! Can't wait to see some pics :-D

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Thanks Matthew.
Yep, I try to be extremely careful with my gear. Not that accidents can always be avoided, but I tend to be a bit anal when packing and transporting. :roll:
Another thing attractive to me was the hard case the scope comes in. Hopefully it will add protection during transport.

I was pretty torn about the size issue, and concur that 2" is logically a better way to go. My list was entirely bent towards 2".
Then I had the presence of mind to measure my cameras lens opening, and to look at the imaging camera aperture....
Since my idea and direction is toward CCD/CMOS imaging, I decided to revamp my list to that end.
So it's a start. Chances are there may be revisions as I go along such as a 2" T adapter for my DSLR.

My thought about the filter wheel and filters was to have them available to turn into or out of the FOV. Particularly the light pollution filter, in the hope of blocking some of the garbage in my area. :roll:
(If I have them I can choose. If I don't, I surely can't chose. ;) )
And it remains to be seen if any of this falderal will be able to even focus without a great deal of pains to dial it in.
But pain is my friend, I never was one to shy away from the tough work.

Don't think you will get off easy though. I may be tugging on your shirt sleeve as I plunge deeper into this murky water. ;)

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Thanks Norman!
Me too. Anybody know where I can find some pictures?
:lol:

A Great adventure lies ahead. :shock:

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

Very true. I checked my collimation when I first got it. Tweaked just a tiny bit. And it hasn't drifted out since.

Its only problem is size. Wouldn't want to go back packing with this big baby. Had it out last night. Needed both 11.5 pound weights set to the far end of the post and it was just short of actually balancing it, but it was close and the motor drove it just fine.

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

Its only 80mm, but I have seen some spectacular images from this lens. Have fun.

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

How much does the mount weigh? I recall the poor UPS man carrying my CG5 to the front door. I don't think he would have liked to have carried any farther.

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

WOW :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: You have hit the real jackpot Sonny. That's some really fine equipment.
I like the dual purpose camera you picked.
With an off-axis guider Matthew talks about you'll be able to shot Jupiter ect. to put us to shame.
And when you're not setting up for expert use the grand kids can use the Quick-Align and be seeing in moments.
Craig

Albuqshutterbug Loc: Albuquerque NM

ROFL.. remember I warned you. And the spending for this aspect of photography begins.
Look forward to seeing what another of us old farts comes up with.
I really think you will like it.
When I can sneak pics in around the clouds that Craig keeps sending me, I've been having fun with mine.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Sez the package is 12X12X40" long and weighs 50 pounds (shipping weight).
UPS will typically go to 60 pounds, I think.

I plan to use my truck to get to sites. ;)