Refractor and Astrophotography Help

I'm in the process of purchasing my first (and hopefully only) telescope. I want to be able to use the telescope for backyard viewing of planets, the moon, and I guess some of the more prominent stars and nebula, etc. I'd also like to be able to take photos with my Nikon 35mm camera using the telescope (of both nighttime viewing and maybe some of the nature things in my backyard - like baby birds, etc.)

I'd like to get a scope that offers clear, crisp and detailed images of major planets, stars, etc. but I don't want a scope that offers set-up challenges or major calibrations, etc. I want it to be more fun than work but I don't want to be bored with it either in a few years time. I don't want a cheap, beginner scope, but can't afford the more deluxe models either. I'm looking to spend in the neighborhood of $500 to $700 and am looking for suggestions from you folks that have experience with the big 3 brands (Celestron, Meade and Orion).

I was looking at the Orion SkyView Pro 120mm EQ Refractor (Orion is selling it for $598 with dual axis drive, 2 eyepieces - 10mm and 25mm, 6 x 30 finder scope and steel leg tripod.) Anyone have experience with this (either good or bad)? Any other comparable scopes that I should consider in place of this one? If I go with this scope, any suggestions from owners of this scope?

In terms of eyepieces, in addition to the 2 included above, what other ones should I consider getting? What about the filters (moon, basic "4" filters, etc.)? Which ones are "must haves" that I'd definitely need with this scope?

Any other equipment I need in addition to the universal camera mount for my 35mm camera? Any helpful hints or things you have learned that would make this a more satifying hobby?

Any suggestions you folks have would be great appreciated. I've browsed through these web posts and find the information overwhelming and so helpful. If you can email your response to me, I'd greatly appreciate it to: [email protected]

Thanks!!!

With all due respect, you will not be able to get good astrophotos without doing a whole lot more work than you look like you are willing to do. And using much better equipment than you are contemplating.

There are many things that can go wrong in astrophotography. You need the best mount, good optics, and then think about camera stuff......

And the night of the exposures, you are going to have to worry about polar alignment and a whole lot more.

Don't mean to discourage you, but I do want to open your eyes.

Alex

Although I mostly agree with the replies to this thread, I must say that it's not impossible to capture high quality astrophotos with something like an Orion Short Tube refractor or even a Newt on the SkyView Pro Mount. I was told over and over that I couldn't do deep sky imaging with the Orion SkyView Pro 8 EQ that I was wanting to purchase; however, since I've purchased it, I have captured several film images (prime focus) of deep sky objects with my SVP 8 EQ and the results were very good (in my opinion). I've attached my very first image I took of M42 using the Orion SVP 8 EQ with a simple OM-1, Kodak E200 and RA guiding for 15 minutes from light polluted skies. Granted the image is slightly out of focus, has some tracking error and some vignetting, it's still very possible using a "cheap" telescope setup. I'm even building a Cookbook CCD to use with the scope. Additionally, if you have the backyard space, you can always install a concrete/wood pier (less than $100) to attach the mount/telescope to. This will provide a very stable platform that makes polar-aligning simple, and allows you to acquire long exposure images (assuming you have the off-axis guider or an autoguider in a guidescope). That's my $0.02.

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