Weird Question

Ok, here is an odd question. I am interested in a short scope primarily to
photograph one messier object (Pleiades M.45). Others would be cool, but
that is my primary.

What would someone suggest? I would like it to be somewhat on a bdget,
possibly around $500, though that is flexible to a point in either
direction.

I figure a scope for that would be usefull for lunar viewing as well, and
from there we can expand. The problem I am finding is that, most scopes I
have looked at would require a series of photos stitched together to make a
single pic of the nebula.

Note that as I need to track for the nebulu to show up, a minimun of five
minutes, that is a requirment.

Does anyone have a suggestion? I know it is kinda weird, but everyone has
the requirments when they go shopping.

Note I do not want a Reflector (Newtonian).

Thanks all!

"Robert Meyers" wrote in message
...
Ok, here is an odd question. I am interested in a short scope primarily
to
photograph one messier object (Pleiades M.45). Others would be cool, but
that is my primary.

What would someone suggest? I would like it to be somewhat on a bdget,

possibly around $500, though that is flexible to a point in either
direction.

I figure a scope for that would be usefull for lunar viewing as well, and
from there we can expand. The problem I am finding is that, most scopes I
have looked at would require a series of photos stitched together to make
a
single pic of the nebula.

Note that as I need to track for the nebulu to show up, a minimun of five
minutes, that is a requirment.

Does anyone have a suggestion? I know it is kinda weird, but everyone has
the requirments when they go shopping.

Note I do not want a Reflector (Newtonian).
Thanks all!

If you already have a mount, the Orion 80mm ED refractor ought to fit your
requirements. Its focal length of 600mm will frame M45 nicely in the frame
of 35mm film. If you do not already have a mount, then there aren't many
options for under $500. Most scope-mount combinations in that price range
generally won't give you good enough optics or tracking for good results
with long-exposure astrophotography. The Orion SkyView Pro 100mm refractor
comes with a single-axis drive for $469, but it's not an apochromat like the
80mm ED so you'll get blue halos around bright stars. From what others have
mentioned here in s.a.a., the mount should be good enough for extended
exposures, although you will probably need exposures in the 15 to 30-minute
range to record a significant amount of nebulosity.

"Robert Meyers" wrote in message
...
Ok, here is an odd question. I am interested in a short scope primarily
to
photograph one messier object (Pleiades M.45). Others would be cool, but
that is my primary.

What would someone suggest? I would like it to be somewhat on a bdget,

possibly around $500, though that is flexible to a point in either
direction.

I figure a scope for that would be usefull for lunar viewing as well, and
from there we can expand. The problem I am finding is that, most scopes I
have looked at would require a series of photos stitched together to make
a
single pic of the nebula.

Note that as I need to track for the nebulu to show up, a minimun of five
minutes, that is a requirment.

Does anyone have a suggestion? I know it is kinda weird, but everyone has
the requirments when they go shopping.

Note I do not want a Reflector (Newtonian).
Thanks all!

If you already have a mount, the Orion 80mm ED refractor ought to fit your
requirements. Its focal length of 600mm will frame M45 nicely in the frame
of 35mm film. If you do not already have a mount, then there aren't many
options for under $500. Most scope-mount combinations in that price range
generally won't give you good enough optics or tracking for good results
with long-exposure astrophotography. The Orion SkyView Pro 100mm refractor
comes with a single-axis drive for $469, but it's not an apochromat like the
80mm ED so you'll get blue halos around bright stars. From what others have
mentioned here in s.a.a., the mount should be good enough for extended
exposures, although you will probably need exposures in the 15 to 30-minute
range to record a significant amount of nebulosity.

"Robert Meyers" wrote in message
...
Ok, here is an odd question. I am interested in a short scope primarily
to
photograph one messier object (Pleiades M.45). Others would be cool, but
that is my primary.

What would someone suggest? I would like it to be somewhat on a bdget,

possibly around $500, though that is flexible to a point in either
direction.

I figure a scope for that would be usefull for lunar viewing as well, and
from there we can expand. The problem I am finding is that, most scopes I
have looked at would require a series of photos stitched together to make
a
single pic of the nebula.

Note that as I need to track for the nebulu to show up, a minimun of five
minutes, that is a requirment.

Does anyone have a suggestion? I know it is kinda weird, but everyone has
the requirments when they go shopping.

Note I do not want a Reflector (Newtonian).
Thanks all!

If you already have a mount, the Orion 80mm ED refractor ought to fit your
requirements. Its focal length of 600mm will frame M45 nicely in the frame
of 35mm film. If you do not already have a mount, then there aren't many
options for under $500. Most scope-mount combinations in that price range
generally won't give you good enough optics or tracking for good results
with long-exposure astrophotography. The Orion SkyView Pro 100mm refractor
comes with a single-axis drive for $469, but it's not an apochromat like the
80mm ED so you'll get blue halos around bright stars. From what others have
mentioned here in s.a.a., the mount should be good enough for extended
exposures, although you will probably need exposures in the 15 to 30-minute
range to record a significant amount of nebulosity.

"Robert Meyers" wrote in message
...
Ok, here is an odd question. I am interested in a short scope primarily
to
photograph one messier object (Pleiades M.45). Others would be cool, but
that is my primary.

For a crisp, sharp 1.5-degree field, consider a telephoto lens. My best
pictures of the Pleiades were taken with a Nikon 300/4 ED IF AF. Admittedly
the Pleiades do not fill the field. For that, you'd want a focal length of
about 600 mm, which would be prohibitively expensive if you need a low
f-ratio (like f/4) (as you probably do, assuming you're interested in the
nebulosity).

Beware of internal reflections in mirror lenses.

Do you already have a mount or another telescope on which to piggyback this?
If not, that raises the cost. An Orion ShortTube on an equatorial mount
with dual-axis motors might be the only way to do it with your budget.

--
Clear skies,

Michael Covington -- www.covingtoninnovations.com
Author, Astrophotography for the Amateur
and (new) How to Use a Computerized Telescope

"Robert Meyers" wrote in message
...
Ok, here is an odd question. I am interested in a short scope primarily
to
photograph one messier object (Pleiades M.45). Others would be cool, but
that is my primary.

For a crisp, sharp 1.5-degree field, consider a telephoto lens. My best
pictures of the Pleiades were taken with a Nikon 300/4 ED IF AF. Admittedly
the Pleiades do not fill the field. For that, you'd want a focal length of
about 600 mm, which would be prohibitively expensive if you need a low
f-ratio (like f/4) (as you probably do, assuming you're interested in the
nebulosity).

Beware of internal reflections in mirror lenses.

Do you already have a mount or another telescope on which to piggyback this?
If not, that raises the cost. An Orion ShortTube on an equatorial mount
with dual-axis motors might be the only way to do it with your budget.

--
Clear skies,

Michael Covington -- www.covingtoninnovations.com
Author, Astrophotography for the Amateur
and (new) How to Use a Computerized Telescope

"Robert Meyers" wrote in message
...
Ok, here is an odd question. I am interested in a short scope primarily
to
photograph one messier object (Pleiades M.45). Others would be cool, but
that is my primary.

For a crisp, sharp 1.5-degree field, consider a telephoto lens. My best
pictures of the Pleiades were taken with a Nikon 300/4 ED IF AF. Admittedly
the Pleiades do not fill the field. For that, you'd want a focal length of
about 600 mm, which would be prohibitively expensive if you need a low
f-ratio (like f/4) (as you probably do, assuming you're interested in the
nebulosity).

Beware of internal reflections in mirror lenses.

Do you already have a mount or another telescope on which to piggyback this?
If not, that raises the cost. An Orion ShortTube on an equatorial mount
with dual-axis motors might be the only way to do it with your budget.

--
Clear skies,

Michael Covington -- www.covingtoninnovations.com
Author, Astrophotography for the Amateur
and (new) How to Use a Computerized Telescope

Right, Orion 80mm ED plus a good mount would be excellent.

Tele Vue NP102 (?) would be ideal, but way beyond your budget.

Right, Orion 80mm ED plus a good mount would be excellent.

Tele Vue NP102 (?) would be ideal, but way beyond your budget.

Right, Orion 80mm ED plus a good mount would be excellent.

Tele Vue NP102 (?) would be ideal, but way beyond your budget.