Request for Beginner Advice

I’m posting this request for advice in both the Deep Sky and Solar System Imaging forums.

I would appreciate advice on how to modestly approach imaging (equipment, reading materials, etc.). Please understand that, until now, I’ve had no interest whatsoever in imaging. While I now have a small interest, I don’t really know how much. I don’t imagine it will ever develop beyond taking images on a small scale, solely for my own enjoyment. I would prefer to start out trying to take color images, unless there is overwhelming recommendation against this.

I’ve been a visual observer for several years, and currently own 130, 90 and 80 mm APO refractors (all with 2 inch Feathertouch focusers) and an Orion Sirius GoTo mount. I realize this mount is limited, but I hope it can meet my modest needs; at least for now. Likewise, I don’t expect I’ll ever want large format imagers, so the small focusers should be fine.

I’ll finish by saying that I thoroughly enjoy the many images I’ve seen here on Astromart and elsewhere. However, I know that I will never want to spend the number of hours required to shoot and then process images of such high quality. (I already spend 10-plus hours per day on a computer at my job.)

Thanks,
Dave

Hello Dave, and welcome to THE DARK SIDE... 8)

You already have some nice equipment to "start with", the mount and scopes will be fine.

Before I jump on recommendations, is there any idea on the budget for the camera? do you have anything already in mind that you would like to image?
Tell us a bit about your location... do you live in a Light Polluted city, or are your skies fairly dark? really dark?

Looking forward to your reply,

Clear skies!

Dave,

The mount is even more critical than the tube, but you should start with what you have--particularly if you happen to have a DSLR sitting around the house. A one-shot color DSLR (From Nikon or Canon, and others) would enable you to take some pretty good photos. Use your shortest focal length refractor to start. Attach the camera with a camera adapter (relatively minor investment). If you do not have a remote control(either through the computer or separately) use a 30 second exposure, with the countdown timer to take your photos. Use automatic dark frame subtraction to start. And go from there.

If you don't happen to have a DSLR around the house (and can't borrow one for the experiment), then SLOW DOWN....There is a lot to think about before starting down this road. I, for instance, would not go with the ST-7, but with the Canon, (with all due respect from other posters). Yes, the ST-7 is superior in many ways (and once you learn how to use it to the max could offer more). But the DSLR is superior in many other ways (and much easier to get started with). So, as I said, slow down. Watch other people do it for a while. If you were in California, I'd say, come on over, and I'd loan you some equipment so you could try it out for a while. But, alas, that would be difficult for me to do where you are.

Alex

(PS....Think back to your Dante--"Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here.")

Hi Dave,

As others have mentioned, welcome to the Dark Side!

Imaging DSO's is (to me) a very different experience from imaging the Moon and Planets. Solar System imaging is less expensive to dive into. I started doing SS imaging with a SAC IV camera (pretty much a modified webcam) in '01 before I dived into DSO imagin in '03.

Be that as it may, if you wanted to explore DSO imaging, one of my recommendations would be to get yourself a copy of Ron Wodaski's "The New CCD Astronomy" book and read it. That to me is the bible of DSO CCD imaging, especially for the beginner. For me, it made me feel that my first ever CCD imaging session was my fifth - I had very few surprises that night - other than how quickly objects resolved in the CCD with short exposures!!!!!

Eric

I'll echo what many have said in that, if your interest is solar system, a web-cam, nosepiece adapter and some inexpensive or free software such as K3CCDTools and Registax is all you need. You will probably want a barlow with your scopes to get a longer focal length (quite the opposite from most DSO's). The mount is much, much less critical. And you can have some really nice shots with not too much time at the scope or in processing. It will also give you a chance to see if imaging is for you.
Have fun,
Larry