Re: [APML] Astrophotography 2004 - Price Shock Horror

["Robert Gendler" <robgendler@worldnet.att.net>]

Wow this is an exlosive topic...are we sure we want to go there <g>?

My opinion is that there are all kinds of advantages that people can have
which include things you can't pay for. Chris how dark are your skies?
Mag 6.0 or maybe even mag 7.0? Well thats an advantage thats difficult
to surmount with even the best equipment. I would also bet that most
astronomers
who live under very dark skies have moved there intentionally. Now how much
of an investment is that? Relocating and buying a house under remote dark
skies
probably cost more than several RC's and ST10's put together.

Imaging under light polluted skies is such a disadvantage that having good
equipment
is almost a bare necessity to get decent images. Yes the hobby can be costly
but probably
no more than other hobbies such as boating, traveling, landscaping, and many
others
I can't think of right at the moment.


Rob Gendler
email: robgendler@att.net
Web Site: http://www.robgendlerastropics.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: astro-photo-bounces@seds.org [mailto:astro-photo-bounces@seds.org]
On
> Behalf Of Chris Schur
> Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2004 4:35 PM
> To: astro-photo@seds.org
> Subject: [APML] Astrophotography 2004 - Price Shock Horror
>
> Hi all,
>
> The all too depressing financial reality set in for me this weekend at the
> RTMC from the current trends I am seeing in the amateur skyshooters
options.
> A decade ago, you could take a home made mounting, a less than a hundred
> dollar 35m SLR, and a 3 buk roll of film and with a lot of care and
> patience, get stunning images that could rank up there with the best
> astrophotograhers, and get those images published in the magazines.
> Now all of that has changed.  Exept for mine, all of the talks this year
> were centered on digital or CCD imageing.  Must-have gear includes the
$4000
> to $8000 ccd cameras, a new $12K mount because that mount that worked so
> well with film isnt good enough anymore, and of course a complete digital
> darkroom wtih the software alone costing more than the 35mm SLR was.
> Dont get me wrong, I do like to see the hobby advancing, but to now the
> playing field is no longer level - highly skilled astrophotographers can
no
> longer compete on the world playing field without being very well to do
> financially as well.  This was painfully apparent when most of the old
time
> friends, which were the best of the best film photographers only what
seems
> a short while ago simply can no longer afford a fraction of the gear
needed
> to show off thier SKILLS.
>
> The trend that seems to be geling is that most imagers of today must be
both
> competent in both making money as well as have the rudiments of sky
shooting
> skills.
>
> I love change, but is this really fair?
>
> Any comments ?
>
>
>
>
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