Questions on Nexstar 8SE

[acc]

the rebate only work if you have an US address, that is why i ask my colleague to claim for me, but the process is very long, i bought it on 1st June, till now still no sign of any cheque being send to my colleague.

My last rebate I waited like 3 months...

[Clifford60]

http://www.telescopes.com/products/cele ... 47525.html

Thinking of ordering the Nexstar 8SE when my wife goes to US again.

So Ray, at last you are thinking of a 8", what are you going to do with your 102mm? Oh, the scope indicated can do astro photography, it can only handle CCD but not big DSLR, the mount can't take the DSLR weight. And please don't ask your wife to help you to bring a 15kg (scope, tripod & mount in 2 or 3 boxes) monster back. The shipping weight will be even more, 17 or 18kg.

[mySG_jy]

So one is selling his SE8 in buy and sell, consider that instead

[raychan]

Don't forget ladies will also buy themselves lot of other stuffs when they are in US, Coach bag, cosmetics etc etc.

You hit the nail right on the head man.....during her last trip in May, she left with one luggage and came home with THREE!!! Full of Coach bags, comestics, pantyhose, chocolates, etc, etc, etc....

So, guess I can't ask her to lug the 8SE with her on her next trip.


Hi Cliff, why I wanna get an 8" ? Well, kenna influenced by you guys lor
After seeing the goto systems, powerful scopes, etc....my 102mm seems so inadequate and could only be used for terrestrial photography at best.

If the rebate is a problem, then it may make sense getting a 2nd hand 8" here. But the new 8SE is so nice leh and it is also cheaper than the 2nd hand 8" in SGP as it comes with all the eyepieces, etc.

[Meng Lee]

Hi, seeing that you are getting deeper into astronomy is a good thing but you need to step out and do a quick checklist now.

1) Are you heading towards visual only or will venture into photography?

8SE is the way to visual. To use it for taking decent photos of moon, planets, and deep sky objects, you need to replace almost everything.

[river]

Yes agree, you have to cut the serial number from original box, mail in together with original receipt from an US address and wait till you almost forgot about it then you get a check from them.

sometime you can buy a tube of blank CDs with the rebate equal to its listed price, so it is free but you have to wait for 3 months to get your money back.

Nexstar SE scopes is ideal for visual, you still can do webcam imaging with it but soon or later you will buy another mount if you go for DSO imaging.

[raychan]

Hi Guys..

Basically, I need a scope for DSO photography. Was kinda worried when Cliff mentioned that the 8SE is not cut out for DSLR photography Anyway, I got myself a Lumix TZ3 from US, will try it out and see if it works. But the problem with the TZ3 is that there is no manual controls. So, will probably get a Toucam for DSO photography.

Not too concerned with the rebates as it will take up to 90days to get the cheque from them. Will leave the forwarding address to send the rebate to my friend's house.

[weixing]

Hi,

Basically, I need a scope for DSO photography.

Your 102mm F5 refractor is a good start for learning DSO Astrophotography. The focal length is not too long, so alignment is less demanding and don't depend much on seeing. You just need an EQ mount and may be a minus violet filter or LPR to reduce the CA and light pollution.

Was kinda worried when Cliff mentioned that the 8SE is not cut out for DSLR photography

The issue with 8SE is not the scope, but the mount. The mount is basically a visual mount, not suitable for DSO Astrophotography... ok with lunar and planetary imaging.

So, will probably get a Toucam for DSO photography.

Toucam is not suitable for DSO. DSLR is a better choice which you already had.

Have a nice day.

[Meng Lee]

Let me give a summary. There are 3 main media for astrophotography:

1) Webcam such as toucam is for planets, moon and sun. If you want to use it for DSO, you will run into major modifications and major headaches.

2) DSLR are best for DSOs. Unmodified DSLR are good for photography of galaxies, modified ones are good for most DSOs. Colour Balancing is the headache.

3) Cooled CCD camera. Such as SBIG cameras are very good for most DSOs. Low noise, can be processed to larger extent. Most specialised form and gives the best results.

telescope configuration must be basically equatorial configuration for all 3 configurations. And it must be a good equatorial mount (low periodic error...) and with autoguiding capabilities ready so that you can take DSOs.

I hope that helps.

[raychan]

Man....you guys are really helpful.

On the other hand, I'm getting confused liao....ARRGHH !!!!

Guess you are right about the 8SE. Just read that the mount is too close to the lens' axis. Will need to get some sorta reducer or something like that to increase the clearance for the camera's body.

In that case, I better KIV the purchase until the next outing with you guys.

Thanks for the feedback. You guys earned yourself more jumbo fishballs for the next, next outing :-) Hahaha...