[APML] Total Investment in Equipment

[Glenn Ray <Glenn.Ray@aspentech.com>]

Recent discussion about costs of CCD imaging versus film imaging has me
curious about the average investment in this hobby.  This is relevant to the
APML because I think it is important to correlate equipment cost to results.
While it is equally important to discuss the investment in effort (time), I
suggest that it be carried on in another thread.

So, how much do you have invested in your astrophotography equipment?  I'm
not suggesting you provide an itemized list, but it would be fair to include
in your cost any and all items used to capture, process and publish your
images.  If you have dedicated equipment (such as a laptop or scanner) that
is only used for astrophotographs, you should include their cost in your
estimates.  Conversely, if you have imaging instruments that are only used
visually, you should not include their cost (ex. binoculars).  If you got
equipment as a gift, inheritance, swap, estimate the fair market value.  If
you built any equipment, add the cost of materials to an estimated cost of
your labor (that's a tough one...fair market value may work as well).

As I write this, I honestly don't know what my investment has been (since I
started in early 1997).  I've acquired almost everything in ways *other
than* purchasing new, but I'll put together an estimate and reply to this
thread soon.

Glenn Ray
Cypress, Texas

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