So who on here astro images with a large reflector or even a large refractor?

[Cumbrianwolf]

Just a curiosity of mine, I own what could be called a large aperture telescope at 254 mm 10" parabolic imaging Newtonian telescope. The reason was twofold for me, as in I was a visual user who wanted to dip just his toe into the astrophotography world and at the same time I also did not wish to lose out on the images I was once used to with a 14" scope, so the 10" was a happy compromise of the two and since I could not settle on either subject it has stayed with me. Now I am just starting to get things moving forward with more serious astro imaging, but only after a lot of research, questions, and spending hard-earned cash to get there.

 

So I am wondering who else prefers the larger optical tube for astrophotography and the reasoning as to why?

[Cumbrianwolf]

I guess not many of us, then, I always find the unique niche in my hobbies. 🤪

[MartinS]

I have a Meade 12” f8 ACF with QHY268M and a CFF250 with SX36 and plan to image some of the smaller DSOs. Both systems need fine star grooming, but I will get there. Just been distracted with my wide field systems at the moment. Having tried a 14” ODK, I decided 12” was sufficient for U.K. skies.

[Cumbrianwolf]

30 minutes ago, MartinS said:

I have a Meade 12” f8 ACF with QHY268M and a CFF250 with SX36 and plan to image some of the smaller DSOs. Both systems need fine star grooming, but I will get there. Just been distracted with my wide field systems at the moment. Having tried a 14” ODK, I decided 12” was sufficient for U.K. skies.

Nice choice(s) on the OTA, one of the best I have had was a 10" Meade LXD 75 Schmidt Newtonian way back in 2005, this was mainly visual viewing and I found it to be the best blend of a reflector and refractor in one with the correction lens on the front, only briefly tried it for imaging, and it was pin sharp edge to edge. If the OTA came up for a decent price I think I would buy one, mind you the tube was much heavier with added glass.

[MartinS]

Thanks, I have a soft spot for Meade telescopes, probably due to my first telescope being a Meade 12” GPS. The Celestron Edge 11” I had for a period was also excellent. They are not the lightest scopes but weight is not a problem with a Mesu200.

[Cumbrianwolf]

9 hours ago, MartinS said:

Thanks, I have a soft spot for Meade telescopes, probably due to my first telescope being a Meade 12” GPS. The Celestron Edge 11” I had for a period was also excellent. They are not the lightest scopes but weight is not a problem with a Mesu200.

I genuinely think the telescopes or some of what Meade made were superb optical instruments, the LXD 75 mount on the other hand was barely able to hold the weight of the scope let alone anything else and let the package down.

[MartinS]

I couldn’t agree more, as you say some of the Meade mounts together with their electronics have been a disappointment. I have the LX850 f8 OTA only and it is mounted on a Mesu, so best of both worlds.

[Dave_S]

Back in the day (pre 2014), I imaged with 8" , 10", and 12" Meade SCTs. They were built in the US back then, not China.

 

The 10" and 12" on a Fork Mount, and Meade Wedge. The 8" parallel mounted alongside  a WO 110 Triplet on an NEQ6.

 

0.33x and 0.63x reducers.

 

Great telescopes. 🙂

Edited January 26, 2022 by Dave_S

[MartinS]

Nice memories Dave, here is my first telescope in 2016. A second hand but immaculate Meade 12” LX200 GPS, with AE super wedge and a WOGTF81 piggybacked. It was a baptism by fire experience getting this to support AP, talk about jumping in with both feet. It was a good learning experience, but I resigned myself to the reality my skill was just not up to the task. So I sold it on and moved to a separate mount, OTA arrangement. 

[Dave_S]

Imaging at that focal length, and f/10 placed a high demand on the accuracy of the drive, and guiding, as feint DSO's required lengthy exposures.  Also too narrow a FOV for the big DSOs. Great for Planets, as Damian Peach used to  demonstrate, using a 14" SCT as I remember. You can't beat large apertures for visual of course.

 

I visited Astro Engineering's facility near Ely, to buy some of their 'Kit'

[Dave_S]

The imaging setup with the 12" Meade SCT in 2010.

 

I was LRGB imaging then, but don't have the time, or enthusiasm to go back to that now, especially with the infrequent clear nights that we get. 

[MartinS]

I hear you reference the weather, but for me there is no substitute for being able to switch on and be imaging DSO’s within 10mins Followed but the pleasure of composing the data captured in your own back garden into a finished image.

[Demon]

Hi Cumbrianwolf, I'm a little late to your thread but am also getting into newts more and am quickly realising the proportion of us is likely fewer than using refractors. Although I can understand why... Starting out and even probably forever refractors have so many advantages. However for me currently the challenge of trying to get small dim targets with detail is amazing and all against the awful UK weather. Not easy or often fun but seriously challenging. More to come and would be good to chat. 

[Cumbrianwolf]

2 hours ago, Demon said:

Hi Cumbrianwolf, I'm a little late to your thread but am also getting into newts more and am quickly realising the proportion of us is likely fewer than using refractors. Although I can understand why... Starting out and even probably forever refractors have so many advantages. However for me currently the challenge of trying to get small dim targets with detail is amazing and all against the awful UK weather. Not easy or often fun but seriously challenging. More to come and would be good to chat. 

Thank you for the comment, regardless of the timeframe. Unfortunately for me, I have had to sell my kit for now as we are moving house after ten years of renting here, and it is looking more likely that it will be to a severe light polluted area just to get a house as needs must, so for now I am placing the hobby on the back burner until I know where we are moving to. I still have some kit left and when I chose to buy again I may still go down the route of a Newtonian or should I try a refractor for once, so many choices to pick from. Regards John.

[Demon]

Hi John, At the risk of being shot, refractors are much easier due to their wider field and weight and size which has a massive effect on mounts etc... Changes happen and don't have to be bad. Plus it's amazing what filters can do for you in light polluted areas so can't discount anything, just see some others on here or astrobackyard. Still in Cumbria? Or elsewhere?

Edited June 4, 2022 by Demon

[Cumbrianwolf]

On 6/4/2022 at 2:39 PM, Demon said:

Hi John, At the risk of being shot, refractors are much easier due to their wider field and weight and size which has a massive effect on mounts etc... Changes happen and don't have to be bad. Plus it's amazing what filters can do for you in light polluted areas so can't discount anything, just see some others on here or astrobackyard. Still in Cumbria? Or elsewhere?

Sorry for the delay, yes it will be still in Cumbria and a Bortle 4 skies, although verging on level 5. I have yet to give up on the hobby totally that is for sure this is, but a step forward, although it may seem backward from my descriptions but to date things work out for the best.