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[APML] OT: First light Starfire 180EDT and a Pentax 6x7 question



Recently I received my Starfire 180 EDT (f/9) scope I had purchased. As so often seems to be the case, days went by with clouds before I was able to snap a first light image using the new scope.
 
Last night, May 26, was clear enough long enough for me to snap this 2 x 1 mosaic of the moon. Each exposure was 0.2 seconds. No darks or flats were used, so this is just raw data stitched together with the curves adjusted a tad.
 
I am eager to shoot some deep sky shots but the weather will have to cooperate. This is all I have after five nights of trying.
 
I think I will like the scope, but it is a monster at F=1620mm
 
Here's the image:
 
http://www.rdcrisp.darkhorizons.org/Moon_ap180_page.htm
 
and here's the scope:
 
http://www.rdcrisp.darkhorizons.org/AP180_scope_page.htm
 
I also purchased the AP field flattener for this telescope. It has the Pentax 6x7 Bayonet interface on the backside. I don't have a Pentax 6x7, but am thinking I may want to get a body to try with the scope since it is set up so nicely for this camera. I have a Lumicon 1200 Hypering kit too.
 
Can anyone suggest which Pentax body I should buy if I am trying to do this on the cheap? I *might* want to get one wide angle lens for it too. If anyone has such a setup laying around that they would sell, please contact me privately and let me know what you have etc.
 
btw, I noticed that Herb York is selling his AP180 f/7 on Astromart auctions. His "buy it now" price is $37K. I guess he could buy a very nice new car for that amount of money.
rdc
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