Telescope:
1. A catadioptric telescope equiped with altazimuth mount such as Meade ETX (Maksutov Cassegrain) are very portable. It's capable for viewing planet and bright DSO ( Deep Sky Objects ). It's suitable for planet photography but not deep sky imaging due to its slow F/ ratio ( long focal length ). Another case if you use focal reducer.

Other than Mak, there is Schmidt Cassegrain (SCT) which I am using now. Its focal ratio is always around f/10. With a f/3.3 focal reducer, your field of view is greatly increased.

2. A reflector equiped with equatorial mount such as Celestron C6-NGT are very fast ( low focal ratio ), especially Schmidt Newtonian. It's good for deep sky observing and photography. A equatorial mount with counter weight is heavier than the telescope itself. It's around 1x KG ( C6-NGT ). By the way, its aperture are much higher than the same class of catadioptric telescope. For instance, Meade ETX-105AT(4.13") costs RM4900 while Celestron C6-NGT(6") costs RM5200.

3. Refractor is the royal family of telescopes. The refractor has the highest contrast on planetary object and deep sky objects. You can get an 8" SCT (200mm) at the price of a 90mm triplet apo.

I have 2 dealers to recommend to you. They are K.K. Looi at Infinity Infocus and Jason Tan at Trifid-Optics.

Updated on 31 March 06:

My equipments
Telescope: Meade 8″ LX90 w/ Autostar #497
Imager: Philips ToUcam Pro II, Meade Lunar Planetary Imager (LPI)
Eyepieces: Super Plossl (6.4, 9.7, 12.4, 15, 20, 26, 32, 40)mm
Lunar & Planetary Filters: Moon Filter ND96

This page will be recreated!

This post has been edited by Mr.LKM: Feb 25 2007, 11:49 PM

camera back in actions???

and now u wanna play astronomy photog?

I think the only camera made specialized for astrophotography is the Canon EOS 20Da. But it need to be ordered in advance.

I had seen result from 350D at ISO800 (for astrophotography), which is pretty good (Given the fact the guy dunno much). But I bet the 20Ds can be better.

Any SLR, whether digital or film based, can be used for photography with a telescope.
If u want to tinker around with homemade adapters, then u can also fit any webcam to a telescope.

However, all that does not matter a single bit if u do not have a good mount for ur telescope. For astrophotography, long exposures (the shutter may have to remain open for hours!) are standard. So if ur telescope cannot track accurately, all u will get, even with a RM30,000.00 SLR, is a nice blur or a mess of zigzagging coloured lines instead of nice starpoints.

A basic motor driven equatorial mount accurate enough for astrophotography will cost u easily a few thousand ringgit.

However, a telescope is a cheap alternative to a high powered telephoto lens for photographing terrestrial objects. For example, a 600mm focal length telescope can be purchased (without mount) for a few hundred rinngit. Just ask Nikon for the price of the equivalent _ on second thoughts don't bother if you want to avoid a heart attack.......

anyone tried Canon A400 fireworks scene mode with a telescope?
it gives 15sec exposure at +2ve..

This post has been edited by cherasbabe: Aug 2 2005, 12:29 AM

march05 is right. i had a thinking to try astronomy photography years before
but forget it when i found out how much the cost. FIRST requirement is to get a telescope with an equatorial mount. theres a few types of telescope and a better
telescope will produces a better pictures. as for all cameras.lens is the the first priority. we all can see tat best lens cost much higher than the camera itself.
So first off all..try to find a telesscope within the reach of your budget.
Try Vixen, Meade..they are well known telescope maker with wide range of products.
From beginner to pro..maybe u'll find the beginner telescope within ur reach.
Forget the Nikon unless u have lots of $$$$$$.
and then the camera. any camera with bulb function can take astronomy pictures.
and off course, better camera will produce better pictures.
as long as u know how to us it..

From what I see, a Hong Kong man used a webcam and mount it on the telescope and the picture he took was in very high resolution, very clear!. The telescope is able to do auto-tracking but I don't know the price.

Take a look at this website.

http://www.stargazer.com.my/

Digital astrophotography is the `in' thing now due to the ease of use and low prices of webcams. In the past, digital astrophotography required expensive equipment with special cooling systems to reduce noise levels. Now, using `stacking' technology, u can get pretty fantastic pictures with a cheap usb cmos sensor.
However, u will still need dark and clear skies, and plenty of patience to obtain a masterpiece.
Amateur astronomers nowadays account for many of the new `discoveries' due to their enthusiasm and diligence with their amateur setups. So if u think u would like to have a comet named in ur honor, have a go at it!

I think I will buy the gadgets from them. Therefore, I have to save money from now on.
Do you find it hard to look for a new comet or planet?

Meade Malaysia Authorized Distributor- http://www.infinityinfocus.com/
address- http://www.meade.com/authdlrsintrnl/Malaysia/8569.html

This post has been edited by jimcho: Aug 3 2005, 11:50 PM

Meade are well known maker. I'm not sure about their price
in Malaysia but I believe the cheapest would be more than thousand.
But i heard they are really good, and provide complete system with pc navigational control.

I think u will never find a new planet unless u work at hubble or anywhere with huge
telescope.(not the one we can buy!)
But a lot of new comet&asteroid found by amateur.
so go for it lar..

I can't imagine if I found a comet

Comet Robin 2005 sounds kinda nice, doesn't it?

It's nice *Robin is my surname

Are u ready for tonite's meteor shower? No need for any special equipment, just use ur eyes.
Unfortunately, those of us in the Klang Valley are out of luck due to the haze.........hope the skies are better for u in Kluang.

wow is it? Than have to climb mountain lar today..
What o'clock? mmm...the haze summore here better balik kg lar..

What is the time?? By the way, do u have any guide to know the time of their appearance?

Check it out here Mr. It seems tat 'tonite' is the nite.
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2005/22...erseids2005.htm
I think 12midnight to 5am is the best time.dont sleep tonite!
sleep tomorrow morning!!!

Ahh~~I have to sit for exam tomorrow but I will try to get it. How many hours away between Malaysia and USA? They post their news using their own time, am I right?