Astrophotography on a BUDGET(ish) - Skywatcher ED80 / Evostar 80 - Part 1

[@LanceMan6012]

I purchased the this same scope for Astrophotography about 2 years ago. I get great results. Mine rides on a Celestron AVX mount. I am using a ZWO ASI533MC Pro camera with a .85x Reducer. I have a mini PC attached where I use PHD2 and NINA. A Pegasus Mini PowerBox supplies power and Dew Control. I add the ZWO Auto-Focuser earlier this year.

[@OlliesSpace]

Sounds like a good setup. Did you get a new focusser for your ED80 ?

[@LogansAstro]

Looks like a great budget setup and I'm particularly looking forward to see how it performs. A setup like that would be great to get someone taken by the astro bug without necessarily breaking the bank. Here's hoping you get some clear skies soon to give a whirl. Clear skies.

[@OlliesSpace]

Hey Logan - I've had these bits sitting around for months now so good to give them a test. Agreed, if this works OK would be a good starter. My only concern so far is I'm not sure the focusser could handle a heavy Mono setuo on it.

[@thecampingastronomer8554]

Very interesting Ollie, I look forward to seeing how you get on with this scope.

[@OlliesSpace]

Thanks pal. Me too but we're currently stuck in never ending clouds.

[@andrzejczarnota3661]

New definition of "on budget" 😁 how much is the whole setup you show including the mount ???😉

[@OlliesSpace]

Ye it's always relative with astrophotography. At a push you could possibly mount this on a AzGti which are quite reasonable entry level.

[@dumpydalekobservatory]

Look forward to seeing the results mate, I wish you could get a rack & pinion focuser for these scopes though as the stock one isn't the best. In saying that I use a generic 0.8 reducer with mine & a mask to focus with as you can just lock it off afterwards & they do perform pretty well.

[@DamienBoath]

The ED80 was my first scope. Still use it from time to time. It's really good, and the stock focuser stays in focus on mine better than my other scope!

[@OlliesSpace]

Cheers Damien, ye I actually would have left the stock one on, but no way to fit an EAF.

[@SimonsAstro]

Interesting setup Ollie, that Ali Express does has some cheap gear! Let’s hope it lives up to it, looking forward to the test mate👍 Clear skies!

[@OlliesSpace]

Hey Simon ye I've bought a few items from there. I guess with returns it could be tricky. Clear skies.

[@nitezpeed]

Can't wait to see what you get with it Ollie....Great Video as always my friend......

[@OlliesSpace]

Cheers Pal, yep will be interesting to see what this one can do.

[@annikasoraya4322]

Thanks Ollie, I appreciate you posting another video for me to feast on when at work. Incidentally, what are your thoughts on Sky Rover refractors. I noticed one on your bench in a previous presentation. Best wishes, Annika 👍👍

[@OlliesSpace]

Hey no worries Annika. My Skyrover 80 was a good scope. Only gripe was the reducer/flattener never corrected out to the edges which for a $500 reducer was disappointing. Thanks and clear skies :)

[@annikasoraya4322]

@@OlliesSpace Cheers Ollie, I appreciate your reply particularly where you responded to my enquiry regarding Sky Rover telescopes. I have just paid $6400 for a SR130 Reference Super APO Refractor from Astronomy Alive so it had better fucken work! Luckily I bought it at the old price but it now retails for $10,000! I guess it is currently on sale for a reason because I am not sure anyone would consider it at $12,000! I am brand new to Astronomy and quite simply I cannot wait to utilise my new toy to "observe" the universe with. I am much more excited about this aspect then I am about "photography" at this point. I am certain AP will form a significant chapter of my astronomy journey at a later date but for the interim period, I am happy to "crawl before I walk". Jupiter, Saturn, Andromeda, Pleiades and M42 have me bursting with enthusiasm about my new hobbie. Ollie, I must admit I have found the initial outlay to be quite an expense! I enjoyed your video with Marcel from Astro Dog (oddly named business) and have taken a keen interest in Masuyama eyepieces. Last week, he started offering the Japanese brand's 1.5x Barlow lens which I will definitely purchase in the new year. I think it would really compliment my arsenal which will also include Tele Vue's 2x Powermate. My eyepieces include; Celestron Luminos 7mm Celestron Luminos 10mm Celestron Luminos 15mm Celestron Luminos 23mm Takahashi TOE 3.3mm Explore Scientific 6.5mm 52° Explore Scientific 4.5mm 52° Tele Vue Panoptic 24mm Tele Vue Delos 10mm Tele Vue Ethos 13mm Tele Vue Delite 3mm Saxon Cielo 2.3mm Pentax XW 40mm ** At a later stage, I will definitely add a full set of Masuyama EP's along with a full suite of Baader Morpheus EP's. Due to portability advantages, I am seriously considering the Skywatcher Wave 150i Harmonic Drive mount. I would certainly enjoy travelling with my pride and joy in terms of visual astronomy when on vacation. I will invest in a dedicated AP camera from ZWO towards end of 2025 or into 2026. At this point, I thought the ASI2600MC Duo is an excellent option for a beginner but I am certain by the time I am ready to invest there will be a new chip being offered in a new camera with upgraded tech. Please advise if you believe I should consider a different mount. Initially, I was interested in both SW A-Z EQ6 GT and iOptron CEM70 but my attention has since moved to a portable offering instead. Many thanks for your extraordinary contributions to the Astro world! Take care Ollie Annika 🔮🍹🔭🌍

[@Tony-Elliott]

Nice cheap set-up Ollie, will be interesting to see how it turns out

[@OlliesSpace]

Thanks Tony

[@nikaxstrophotography]

looking forward to the results, I had the Orion version never really happy with the crayford focuser however

[@OlliesSpace]

Thanks Nik yep I'll be interested to see how it performs. I'm not sure I could hang a heavy load off this.

[@Astro_Shed]

Excellent…just subscribed…👍🏻

[@OlliesSpace]

@@Astro_Shed thanks!

[@No_no83]

Hi. This telescope is highly capable for imaging. It's been 4 years since I'm using it and no one has been able to say that my images are of poor quality vs images from an APO.

[@OlliesSpace]

Of the couple of tests I've done so far, I tend to agree. I've been impressed with how well corrected it seems.

[@No_no83]

@OlliesSpace I don't have a field flattener for the time being, but yeah, it's an end of year gift to be. These devices are bloody expensive. The performance of ED telescopes are often underestimated

[@poruatokin]

I'd just like to add that I bought the Gemini focuser recently and it is excellent running under NINA. Performs as well as the ZWO offering at 1/3 of the price. I'd never buy another ZWO EAF.

[@whatmattersmost6725]

Ollie, email your seller that you got the EAF from as there is a newer model that's better and can choose 3 steps left-right and slow and fast speeds, they will send to you a no cost... Yes those sellers sell the Gemini EAF in a few choices, EAF no Temp sensor and EAF with remote, and the full kit, EAF-remote and Temp sensor...