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Need help starting
Dec 5, 2018 20:00:31   #
bgrn Loc: Pleasant Grove UT
 
Put this in the wrong section so re-posting it here.

I take a lot of my pictures while camping somewhere in the mountains, mostly Utah, Idaho, Montana. One of our friends that frequently goes with us is into astronomy and when we will be near a dark sky area he will bring his telescope and we have some fun with it. So I have been talking to my wife about a telescope to use with my 80D for taking pictures of planets and other things. Although my friends telescope has tracking abilities it is an older setup that still works great but he is not familiar with the newer setups and what works well with DSLR's. My wife has given me a $3000 budget for a Christmas gift (don't have to spend it all if I don't have to). I am looking for a good intermediate setup with a nice solid base and tracking, one that I can grow into without having to replace it with a better one later, is this possible? The more I read the more confusing it can be so I am asking people on here that actually do it for some starting ideas, then I can go and check them out myself to see what I feel would work best for me. Also reflector or refractor? Thinking if I pick it up now i can practice before summer sets in and I will be a little bit ready to try it out in dark sky areas.

Thanks for any help you can start me off with.

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Dec 6, 2018 12:37:55   #
tony85629 Loc: Sahuarita, Az
 
Find a local astronomy club. Members are usually very helpful and can provide valuable advice. I would recommend starting out with a good quality tracking mount and about a 4” refractor.

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Dec 6, 2018 12:39:20   #
Europa Loc: West Hills, CA
 
If it is something you think you will stick with?

I would recommend putting the majority of your budget into the mount. The more you spend on a mount the better.

Would you be interested in used equipment?

I own a pretty big selection of telescopes and they all do things a little differently. The best way to find out on your own is to visit a local astronomy club, people are very open to sharing information and showing their equipment.

Without additional information, I would suggest a smaller refractor that you can do widefield photography and it is much easier to learn how to track and guide with your mount.

Refractors are a bit on the expensive side but you will always use it and be happy with it.

If you would like to discuss what all the different options are, PM me and I’ll give you my phone number and I can go the different types of equipment. This is a very expensive hobby, so always try to keep in mind where you will be in another year and how you can build upon the equipment you already have.

Brian

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Dec 15, 2018 06:55:43   #
nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina
 
You are starting out doing the right thing.....visit the astronomy forums - read reviews and ask questions.

Then, when you are ready to pull the trigger on your first purchase - buy your wife a dozen roses - any wife that gives her husband a 3,000 Christmas budget is a saint!

Most of us have to hide our crap in the trunk of the car until it is safe to bring into the house! ....and practice saying, "hey honey, look what I found on the side of the road! Can't believe someone would throw that away"

Kidding, not sure why I wrote that, my wife could give a rip what I buy as long as she has a checkbook and Amex card.

Welcome to a terrific hobby - cherish the hair you have as you will soon be pulling it out.

Clear skies and Cheers as my friends across the pond say!

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Dec 15, 2018 13:14:07   #
bgrn Loc: Pleasant Grove UT
 
nikonshooter wrote:
You are starting out doing the right thing.....visit the astronomy forums - read reviews and ask questions.

Then, when you are ready to pull the trigger on your first purchase - buy your wife a dozen roses - any wife that gives her husband a 3,000 Christmas budget is a saint!

Most of us have to hide our crap in the trunk of the car until it is safe to bring into the house! ....and practice saying, "hey honey, look what I found on the side of the road! Can't believe someone would throw that away"

Kidding, not sure why I wrote that, my wife could give a rip what I buy as long as she has a checkbook and Amex card.

Welcome to a terrific hobby - cherish the hair you have as you will soon be pulling it out.

Clear skies and Cheers as my friends across the pond say!
You are starting out doing the right thing.....vis... (show quote)


Thanks

lol, my wife is definitely a saint and deserves more than flowers just by putting up with me and my time consuming hobbies. The 3K budget does come with a trade off, I have to rob from my savings for the used fishing boat that seams to always get put on the back burner. However so far through my research I am finding I can pick up something in the $1500-$2000 range that will do what I want and can grow into without being overly large, heavy, and does not have too long of a learning curve. I am also checking out a couple local astronomy groups that are just a short drive from me. I may also find a good used one there. Also part of my problem is I would like something that will cover photographing planets and also nebula's and other things, might be a tall order as different field of views play into it.

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Dec 19, 2018 22:40:53   #
SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA
 
So Kelly Hi!
Have you decided on a facet to pursue?
You mentioned Planets, and that's fine. But different horns for different notes.

I'm a DSO affectionatoe. That is, Deep Space Objects. Nebula. Stuff it takes a camera to catch, and rock solid guiding.
Best part is DSO's take peashooter telescopes. So they are easy on the mounts. And easy on your back.
Also, I like the simplicity of a refractor over other more complicated telescopes.

And just wait until you begin to realize you don't want to beat your DSLR to death trying to image space. Then you see the value in a dedicated astronomy camera.

Welcome to the Black Hole. Just take your wallet and throw it in. You are good as gone.

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