Hi, what are the limits of a Mak Skywatcher 5"?

snursaba · Post by **snursaba** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 10:04 am

Hi,

Greetings to everybody! I am a beginner both in astro and also postings in this forum [schild=4 fontcolor=000000 shadowcolor=C0C0C0 shieldshadow=1]

[/schild] I own a Mak Skywatcher 5" and been using it both for observation and astrophotography... I wonder how far I can push this scope of mine in terms of astrophotography.. r DSOs possible? I have put up a few astrophotos on a blog I newly created
http://siti-astro.blogspot.com/
... do visit.. I need feedback and comments from u experts

I am also trying out taking astrophotos without the telescope using only a camera.. i took one of jupiter and venus, it's on the blog.. so glad astrophotography need not be expensive

Post by **weixing** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 6:50 pm

Hi,
I also start learning my Astrophotography on this scope too... Below are some of the images I took using this scope via a compact camera (Nikon 4500 on Eyepiece projection):
Moon
http://www.singastro.org/album_showpage ... &pic_id=14
http://www.singastro.org/album_showpage ... &pic_id=15
http://www.singastro.org/album_showpage ... &pic_id=16

Mars
http://www.singastro.org/album_showpage ... &pic_id=22

Saturn
http://www.singastro.org/album_showpage ... &pic_id=23

Jupiter
http://www.singastro.org/album_showpage ... &pic_id=68

M42
The 2004 version: http://www.singastro.org/viewtopic.php?t=3833

IMHO, I think I should be able to do a better job now... ha ha ha

Happy imaging and have a nice day.

snursaba · Post by **snursaba** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:23 pm

Thanks Weixing

the jupiter image looks impressive, didn't know my scope will be able to get such details! I have another question though, do we need to use eyepiece projection to get such high magnification (like the moon images you took)?
I am also using a NikonD40, will that be useful in using together with the scope for DSOs?
Thank you very much!

Post by **weixing** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 8:10 pm

Hi,

I have another question though, do we need to use eyepiece projection to get such high magnification (like the moon images you took)?

I use eyepiece projection method because I'm using a compact camera, not a DSLR. You can use both the eyepiece projection method or barlow method, but I'm not sure how much magnification barlow you need.

I am also using a NikonD40, will that be useful in using together with the scope for DSOs?

Just use a Nikon T-ring and connect to your scope directly (prime focus method). Make sure you had a motor drive on your EQ mount and polar align your mount as accurate as possible.

Have a nice day.

snursaba · Post by **snursaba** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 9:37 pm

Alright, thanks for the tips, Weixing! =)