Re: [APML] Astrophotography 2004 - Price Shock Horror

[George Anderson <georgea@cam.org>]

We have had this discussion both at home and at work many times (I have
several hobbies that would be expensive to have high end on any of them)
and after discounting hobbies like housefly and lint collecting, we came
to the conclusion that there are very few hobbies that qualify as
inexpensive these days.
I once commented to my wife that it would be nice to have the cash to
afford an AP or Losmandy mount and scope like many of the film people on
the list have. She pointed out that the value of the woodworking tools
in my shop would easily cover that, and then mentioned a few other
hobbies that I have as well.
I'd also have the cash for more astro toys if we hadn't sold my last
house in the city and moved out to darker skies into a house with
28000sqft of land and 2700sqft on the main floor with a walk out
basement the same size with a two car garage.
Price the vehicule that you drive versus the price of the minimum
vehicule you truly need, that alone will usually cover a few items.
I am not saying that I am happy with the situation, just that it is
something which we have to accept. The day of the 18 year old rich daddy
imager running a cell link to his roboscope on a dark sky mountain top
will be on us in less than ten years. This will be the same "kid" who
has never actually looked through a scope and can only find objects
using the lookup in "The Sky" to set his nightly imaging targets while
he watches a DVD during image capture.
OTOH we may also see a backlash like in woodworking where there is a
growing hardcore of fine woodworkers who shun power tools in favour of
things like handplanes, chisels, and dovetail saws. The work produced by
these people is held in awe in woodworking circles as it is viewed as
true human craftsmanship. BTW these woodworkers proudly proclaim
themselves as "Neanders".
So don't ditch that ST-4 or guiding Ep yet, because if your skies will
support it, film still rules.
This is not intended as a cheap shot at CCD imagers, Rob G's (and
others) images are amongst the most stunning I have ever seen. And
manyof them are dealing with skies that most of us would write off in a
heartbeat.
Remember, we use film, we need it darker, we take longer, but damn our
results are worth every penny and second we spent on creating the final
image.

George Anderson
Montreal Canada

Clear skies and good health

ps:I'll just head out back to cut down another tree to make toothpicks
for this weekends dinner party.

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

     >>>Really big snip of valid info

> 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
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