RE: [APML] Getting Started

["Thom Iwancio" <tiwancio@sc.rr.com>]

Hey Parker,
I can confirm George's comments first hand.  My current mount is still a
CG-5 and although I manage to do prime focus astrophotography with it,
it has not been an easy affair.  I do industrial automation for a living
and have access to all the prerequisite equipment and skills required to
massage the mount as well as add a Bartel's goto system to get backlash
compensation and periodic error correction.  Even after all this, it
works marginally compared to a G-8. And it still drives me out of my
mind sometimes. :-)

I started where my budget allowed me, as I am sure you will also, but if
I did it all over again I would begin with at least a G-8 even if all it
did was carry the camera and I still had to use my binoculars.  You
could always add a short tube refractor later to do visual work and test
the waters of prime focus.  Another thing about starting with good
equipment is that the upgrade path is so much better because of the
higher resale value.

Also be advised that once you get into the world of autoguiding,
scanning and digital processing it will sometimes seem like you spend
more time looking at computer screens than at the night skies.

No matter how you start, just keep a positive attitude and try not to
get discouraged over failures and mistakes.  It is a long hard road, but
with some lovely pictures and a sense of true accomplishment at the end
of it.

Thom Iwancio
Elgin, SC
www.machunter.org
home.sc.rr.com/thomiwancio



-----Original Message-----
From: astro-photo-bounces@seds.org [mailto:astro-photo-bounces@seds.org]
On Behalf Of George Anderson
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2003 9:55 PM
To: Discussion of Film Astrophotography
Subject: Re: [APML] Getting Started

Hi Parker

Bad news for you. The CG-5will drive you out of your mind. At best you
will be able to use it for some piggy back work with lenses less than
200mm. And that will be after you do a full strip down and rebuild of
the mount with a bunch of detail work before you put it back together.
You might want to consider saving your money for a used Losmandy G-8 or
G-11 and then buy a reasonable 80mm+ scope to use as a guidescope.
Pick up copies of Michael Covington's "Astrophotography for the Amateur"
and Robert Reeves "Widefield Astrophotography" to find out in detail
what you are in for.
I am not trying to put you off the hobby, just trying to keep you from
repeating the mistakes of others...

George Anderson
Montreal Canada

Clear skies and good health


Parker Parrish wrote:
> 
> My Name is Parker Parrish and I have been in the hobby on and off
since
> I was about 12. I am now turning 18 and ready to get started again. My
> first scope was the classic 60mm refractor which was eventually
followed
> by an 8" Meade Star finder. Eventually my light polluted skies led me
to
> sell everything but my binoculars to get started in model airplanes.
Now
> I am ready again (with a car to get to a dark sky) and looking for a
> scope to be used for photography. I have a reasonably limited budget (
> scope & mount under $1,000 would be very nice) but I am looking at a
> CG-5 with dual axis drives and a suitable OTA. I thought about a 5"
> achromatic refractor but I am worried about the false color. Also I
> considered a 6" Newtonian but I like the idea of clear aperture and no
> mirror flop. Would I be better off in saving up for a pronto or small
> apo like the Orion 80mm, or go for aperture? My photography interest
is
> mainly in deep sky but I also want some clear high contrast shots of
our
> solar system. I know what I want doesn't fit in my budget, I'm just
> looking
> for the biggest bang for my small buck. The LXD55 EC series looks
> tempting for either the 5" AR or the 6" Newtonian. I am open to ANY
> suggestions and advice. Thanks.
> 
> 
> 
> Parker Parrish
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Astro-Photo mailing list
> Astro-Photo@seds.org
> http://seds.org/mailman/listinfo/astro-photo
_______________________________________________
Astro-Photo mailing list
Astro-Photo@seds.org
http://seds.org/mailman/listinfo/astro-photo


_______________________________________________
Astro-Photo mailing list
Astro-Photo@seds.org
http://seds.org/mailman/listinfo/astro-photo