[APML] Getting started for 1000$

[Patrick Huber <huber@wisc.edu>]

Hi there,

I have done some very basic astrophotography in the past and
would like to start with a little more effort. I probaly will
start with film, since I used to have my own darkroom and have
some experience with photography in general. Moreover I have an
old but decent SLR. Now I am about to by some new equipment and
really like to hear some opionions what a good start might be.

Since I am not sure how much time I will be able to spent on this
new hobby, I'd like to start out modest and would not like to
spend more than 1000$ on the telescope, the mount and the tripod.
I plan for something like additional 500$ for all the small stuff.

The plan I have figured out looks like that:
I take the Meade LXD75 SN-6" with UHTC which comes with the LPI
for something like 1000$ and ad an off-axis guider like the
taurus tracker. Then I can use the LPI and my laptop to guide the
telescope. I know the LXD75 is not a photo mount, but with my
budget I really doubt that a Vixen GP or something similar would
be affordable. I've seen some very decent pictures taken on this
mount with heavier OTAs, so I guess it anyhow takes me a long
time to be really limited by the mount. Once that happens I still
can consider an upgrade and the SN-6" is supposed to be a decent
optic.

What do you think, am I nuts or can I get along with this?

Thanks,
Patrick

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