Re: [APML] Orion Min-EQ + EQ-1M

[George Anderson <georgea@cam.org>]

Andrew

I think that you are going to find the Min-EQ very frustrating to work
with. Polar aligning will be difficult, the speed of the drive will
probably be dodgey along with the quality of the worm gear.
For that kind of price (IMHO) you would be better off buying a Manfrotto
tripod and head and knocking together a simple type 2 barn door (also
known as a Haig or Scotch mount with isocolese(sp) pivots). That will
give you about five minutes of exposure before errors creep in. After
you have mastered that you will have learned the value of good polar
alignment and the basics of exposure under your sky conditions. From
there you can move up to a type 4 double arm mount which will give you
about 15-20 minutes of exposure (50mm max).
All of the low cost EQ mounts that I have seen need to be stripped down,
cleaned, de-burred, re-greased, and touched up before they can be used.
That being said, you can manage some piggyback guided photos with an
EQ-4 that has been re-worked.
But, get yourself copies of Michael Covington and Robert Reeves books
from Willman-Bell and start your search for a negative/slide scanner.
Then order Jerry Lodriguss's e-book.
Welcome to an obsession we call a hobby...

Someone who was/is there...
George Anderson
Montreal Canada

Clear skies and good health

Andrew Skretvedt wrote:
> 
> Hello everyone,
> 
> As a beginner in this exciting field, I've decided I would like to try
> moving beyond the star-trails, and attempt some guided shots. I have yet
> to make a big telescope purchase, but seeing some of the wonderful
> wide-field photography shots posted by other members, I've realized that
> a scope is not necessary to capture some breathtaking images of bigger
> swaths of sky.
> 
> I've seen in the Orion catalog, the Min-EQ equatorial mount on a
> table-top style tripod. With the optional EQ-1M clock drive, it's billed
> as a good platform for mounting a camera and taking wide-field photos.
> 
> I'm interested in opinions, esp. from anyone who has actually used the
> product. I realize it might be a challenge to polar-align this device.
> It's on p.78 of the latest catalog.
> 
> For those that have posted guided camera-only pictures, what guiding
> setup did you use? Recommendations?
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> Andrew Skretvedt,
> Grand Forks, ND
> 
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