Thanks for not only recommending what to buy, but more importantly, why we should buy a piece of gear. I got into astrophotography a few months ago. This video is very helpful.
I started from camera and tripod. It was (and still is) Canon EOS450D and cheap Sony tripod for 10$. When I realized that it is not enough for good images, I built an astrotracker from 2RVM time relay (old Soviet mechanical programmable relay for AC power time management), bought UHC filter and a decent 135 mm/f3.5 lens (I also have focal range x2 converter) and I feel it's OK for me.
Thanks for the advice. I recently re-started in the hobby going visual but found my eyes and the skies aren't what they used to be. Considering AP but the cost (on top of the already expensive rig I got) is daunting. I've been trying to find a way to wade in; unfortunately for me, a pier would be near the top of the list adding $$$.
A pier isn't necessary, I've thought about adding a pier myself, but honestly putting my telescopes on dollies so I can roll them out quickly has been such a tremendous benefit that it's not worth installing a pier. What scope are you using for visual? This is important if you are looking at getting a fully guided mount, due to the weight limit. If you have an 8" SCT, for example, I could recommend another mount.
@@PirateObservatory I have a Stellarvue SVX127D (1017mm fl) on a Losmandy G11G. Very old school, but so am I. Beautiful scope, extremely sharp; but probably wasn't the right rig for me.
@@larrychristianson2244 Wow that's a pricey setup! Did you get rid of it? That's a nice setup :) If you still have it, a guide scope setup would be paramount, and if you already have guiding setup, then I highly recommend the ASIAIR. That will make your experience so much better.
@@PirateObservatory I still have it. It's not getting much use though. The setup time and effort is significant and, as I noted, my eyes and conditions aren't using it to its capabilities. A pier, with a good cover (which I already have), would allow it to be in place for more opportunistic use. I have thought of putting a guide camera on the finder and use an ASIAir or similar to help find and guide. The mount's go-to works once you go through the setup, again taking time, but by the time everything is set to go I have had enough standing around trying to just get alignment; a pier would help with that too. I have considered a dolly arrangement but there would be issues of navigating it from my garage to where I normally set up (to avoid street lights, etc.) and again time spent on initial alignment. My past experience was 40 years ago. I was an amateur telescope maker; my main scope was a 12.5" home made Dob. I had dark skies (Bortle wasn't a thing then, probably a B2) and was very familiar with the skies.. I had my charts and could find most things easily by star hopping. Now I'm maybe B5 with fair-poor seeing; on the best nights there might be a bit of milky way. I thought I'd return to the hobby that I loved back then, and while the available gear and tech is amazing, the limitations I have encountered have been frustrating. I can see how AP could help, but is it worth the extra investment and time to me at this point? IDK, I'm having a lot of fun with a SeeStar; maybe that's enough. OTOH, this video attracted my attention as a way to get started without sinking another 5-7k in equipment all at once.
@@larrychristianson2244 Yeah, the ASIAIR really simplifies things, and it's a pleasure controlling everything on an iPad. I put my telescopes on dollies, which makes a huge difference on setup. I just roll my stuff out there, polar align, then the ASIAIR takes it from there.
Thanks for not only recommending what to buy, but more importantly, why we should buy a piece of gear. I got into astrophotography a few months ago. This video is very helpful.
@@txdave2 I’m really glad to hear the video was helpful!
I started from camera and tripod. It was (and still is) Canon EOS450D and cheap Sony tripod for 10$. When I realized that it is not enough for good images, I built an astrotracker from 2RVM time relay (old Soviet mechanical programmable relay for AC power time management), bought UHC filter and a decent 135 mm/f3.5 lens (I also have focal range x2 converter) and I feel it's OK for me.
There are so many options for a build, I just gave my perspective. If what you have works for you, then that's all that matters!
This is a great intro into what gear you need and in what specific order! Astrophotography on a budget, and how to make it work.
Glad it was helpful!
Very nice video. What’s the maximum FL scope would you recommend for GTi?
Thanks
New sub. Fantastic video thanks
Thaniks! I'm working on a new video about astrophotography cameras, ,stay tuned!
Thanks for the advice. I recently re-started in the hobby going visual but found my eyes and the skies aren't what they used to be. Considering AP but the cost (on top of the already expensive rig I got) is daunting. I've been trying to find a way to wade in; unfortunately for me, a pier would be near the top of the list adding $$$.
A pier isn't necessary, I've thought about adding a pier myself, but honestly putting my telescopes on dollies so I can roll them out quickly has been such a tremendous benefit that it's not worth installing a pier. What scope are you using for visual? This is important if you are looking at getting a fully guided mount, due to the weight limit. If you have an 8" SCT, for example, I could recommend another mount.
@@PirateObservatory I have a Stellarvue SVX127D (1017mm fl) on a Losmandy G11G. Very old school, but so am I. Beautiful scope, extremely sharp; but probably wasn't the right rig for me.
@@larrychristianson2244 Wow that's a pricey setup! Did you get rid of it? That's a nice setup :) If you still have it, a guide scope setup would be paramount, and if you already have guiding setup, then I highly recommend the ASIAIR. That will make your experience so much better.
@@PirateObservatory I still have it. It's not getting much use though. The setup time and effort is significant and, as I noted, my eyes and conditions aren't using it to its capabilities. A pier, with a good cover (which I already have), would allow it to be in place for more opportunistic use. I have thought of putting a guide camera on the finder and use an ASIAir or similar to help find and guide. The mount's go-to works once you go through the setup, again taking time, but by the time everything is set to go I have had enough standing around trying to just get alignment; a pier would help with that too. I have considered a dolly arrangement but there would be issues of navigating it from my garage to where I normally set up (to avoid street lights, etc.) and again time spent on initial alignment.
My past experience was 40 years ago. I was an amateur telescope maker; my main scope was a 12.5" home made Dob. I had dark skies (Bortle wasn't a thing then, probably a B2) and was very familiar with the skies.. I had my charts and could find most things easily by star hopping. Now I'm maybe B5 with fair-poor seeing; on the best nights there might be a bit of milky way. I thought I'd return to the hobby that I loved back then, and while the available gear and tech is amazing, the limitations I have encountered have been frustrating. I can see how AP could help, but is it worth the extra investment and time to me at this point? IDK, I'm having a lot of fun with a SeeStar; maybe that's enough. OTOH, this video attracted my attention as a way to get started without sinking another 5-7k in equipment all at once.
@@larrychristianson2244 Yeah, the ASIAIR really simplifies things, and it's a pleasure controlling everything on an iPad. I put my telescopes on dollies, which makes a huge difference on setup. I just roll my stuff out there, polar align, then the ASIAIR takes it from there.
If you have ANY questions, please hit me up! Sorry this video was so long, but I made chapters so you could skip right to the content.
I want to know if gti 11 pound load can handle exactly that? cause the telescope itself is almost 8-9 pounds (I'm thinking to bou svbonny 550)