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Re: [APML] Greenhorn



Thanks Craig.  I think the ads came out well too.
As far as which TeleVue, all the scopes are excellent visual instruments.  For astrophotography, the NP101 is the fastest at f/5.4 vs f/6.9 or f/5.6 with the TV102 and TV85 respectively.  With the 102 and 85 you need to get the FF, the NP101 is already a flat-field instrument so no secondary FF is needed.  Note: you can only do 35mm or CCD imaging with the TeleVue scopes.  If price is no worry, the NP101 is real nice.  Here are some shots I took with one last summer:
http://www.abmedia.com/astro/dsc2/snake-neb.html
 
http://www.abmedia.com/astro/dsc2/sh2-1.html
 
For starting out, Jim is correct.  Piggyback is the best way to get started.  If you don't have a equatorial wedge, your exposures times are going to have to be fairly short to maintain round stars.  Obviously the shorter the lens, the longer you can expose without trailing.  I don't know the exact times for specific lenses but I'm sure Mike Covington's book has it listed.
Have fun!
 
Chris
 
 
==================
Chris Cook
Astronomical Photography
www.abmedia.com/astro
-----Original Message-----
From: Craig Watson <craigwatson@prodigy.net>
To: astro-photo@seds.org <astro-photo@seds.org>
Date: Friday, January 04, 2002 10:45 PM
Subject: RE: [APML] Greenhorn

Chris:  I am sure you get tired of people mentioning...hee-hee, but good work on the televue add. I am highly interested in a televue, but don't know just which to go for.  I love the portability of the tv85, but saw the np101 at star party, and would love to look through a 102.  Any suggestions for the future?
 
By the way, currently as mentioned before, I am limited to an lx200.  Jim Janusz, recommended that I start with some piggyback work and then progress.  But since I do not have access to a wedge, I am wondering how long of exposure I could get due to induced alt-az field rotation.  Any thoughts?
 
Thanks for the warm welcome,
Craig
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-astro-photo@seds.org [mailto:owner-astro-photo@seds.org]On Behalf Of Chris & Jennifer Cook
Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2002 12:35 AM
To: astro-photo@seds.org
Subject: Re: [APML] Greenhorn

Welcome Craig!
Jerry Lodriguss has some very good info on getting started in AP on his website.  www.astropix.com
 
Chris
 
 
==================
Chris Cook
Astronomical Photography
www.abmedia.com/astro
-----Original Message-----
From: Craig Watson <craigwatson@prodigy.net>
To: APML <astro-photo@seds.org>
Date: Friday, January 04, 2002 10:13 PM
Subject: [APML] Greenhorn

Hello all:
 
I have recently joined the APML at the recommendation of Jim Janusz.  My Name is Craig Watson, and currently live with my wife and three young daughters in Southern Texas.  I am a newcomer to astronomy, having only been truly interested for the past 2-3 years.  I became intrigued with astronomy and astrophotography after having been to the Texas Star Party this past year.  I was so amazed to meet and talk with people like George Kepple, Glen Sanner, Al Nagler, Stephen O'meara, and others.  I was so encouraged by the wealth of help and encouragement I got from them and many other seasoned veterans.  I currently only have access to my Uncle's 10" LX200 (without wedge, I know not the optimal starting point) but am making plans over the next couple of years to acquire a televue refractor and a suitable mount. 
 
I would like to thank you in advance for accepting a greenhorn rookie into the group.  I imagine that I will be mostly quiet, reading and learning in the beginning, but I would still ask for any insight that you could give to an eager, budding young astrophotographer.
 
Should you have any pointer on where and how to begin they would be incredibly welcome.
 
Please feel to respond either on list or off-list at craigwatson@prodigy.net
 
Kindest Regards,
Craig