Good Telescope For Beginner Astrophotography?

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Good Telescope For Beginner Astrophotography?
What's a good scope to start Astrophotography? In this video I introduce a new scope by Altair Astro 'The Starwave Ascent 60ED'
Its a Doublet Apo scope of 360mm focal length and F6
Its made to a high standard and features ED glass, a rotator and rail for mounting a guidescope.
In this video I show 4 images showcasing the scopes abilities.
All taken with AA Hypercam 533C chilled to -5c
M101 Pinwheel Galaxy. 2hrs of 5 min subs with no filters. Using the ED60 with the 60 flat field flattener so at 360mm F6
IC 1396 Elephant's Trunk Nebula. 4.5hrs of 10 min subs. Using the ED60 with the RED 60 0.8x flat so 288mm F4.8 using the 6nm Dual band Ha & Oiii Ultra filter
NGC 6888 The Crescent Nebula. 2.5hrs of 10min subs. Using ED60 with the RED 60 0.8x flat so 288mm at F4.8 using the 6nm Dual band Ha & Oiii Ultra filter
LDN 1235 The Dark Shark nebula. 3hrs of 5min subs with no filters. Using the ED60 with the RED 60 0.8x flat so 288mm F4.8
Links to Altair Astro equipment
Starwave Ascent 60 ED www.altairastro.com/starwave-...
Hypercam 533C www.altairastro.com/altair-hy...
Mini Guide scope/camera www.altairastro.com/altair-mg...
Altair Dual Band Ultra filter www.altairastro.com/altair-ha...
Magnetic filter drawer www.altairastro.com/altair-2-...
60 Flat field flattener www.altairastro.com/altair-10...
60 RED 0.8x reducer flattener www.altairastro.com/altair-10...
/ @astrobloke
#ASTROBLOKE #ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY #ASTRONOMY
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Mounts
Sky Watcher EQ8R PRO bit.ly/39HVTpR
Sky Watcher EQ6R Pro bit.ly/3i1afU0
Sky Watcher HEQ5 bit.ly/2Ty7BeZ
Sky Watcher AZ GTI bit.ly/3iGmIvC
Cameras
ZWO ASI 294MM Pro bit.ly/2VbxNN6
ZWO ASI 183MM Pro bit.ly/3kSLPOs
ZWO ASI 290mm mini bit.ly/2UO71u6
ZWO ASI 120mm mini bit.ly/2Twjceu
Filters
Antlia 3nm bit.ly/3GhuaZl
Antlia LRGB bit.ly/3MDdca8
Chroma Oiii 3nm 1.25" bit.ly/3rviomS
Chroma Ha 3nm 1.25" bit.ly/2Wcsnlj
Optolong LRGB 1.25" set bit.ly/36ZtXJq
ZWO EFW Electronic filter wheel bit.ly/3fbmKe3
Telescopes
RC8 bit.ly/3x5AexT
Sky Watcher 130PDS
Zenithstar 61 bit.ly/2UEgFjc
William Optics 50mm guidescope bit.ly/36ZLYHK
Correctors
Sky Watcher 0.9Coma Corrector
Baader MPCC bit.ly/2V76LpZ
Astro Essential 0.75Reducer
William Optics Flat61A bit.ly/3zw9sAf
William Optics Flat 61R bit.ly/3BEvaEj
Accessories
Pegasus Astro pocket powerbox advance bit.ly/3iMFeSO
ZWO OAG Off Axis Guider bit.ly/3i1RIqD
ProLogik balance meter and tuning tool
www.prologik-astro.com/
The meter is of a high quality and works really well. Not only is it great for helping to find perfect balance in stiff mounts but it is a fantastic aid to fine tuning your mount for the best guiding. It will assist you in adjusting your worm drive/gear mesh to the optimum setting and giving you great smooth tracking and excellent guiding numbers.

[@Mikedegot]

Love that green accent on the scope. I got a little 60mm refractor. Lug enough gear around on trips and you quickly start to shop smaller. When I get to a dark sky spot, I can easily bring a small scope, camera, mount + tripod, tent, and a chair in my trunk and be setup pretty quickly without breaking a sweat.

[@Astrobloke]

I really like the green too. Lovely little scope and perfect for what you are talking about. I recently had a trip to Greece and went very light with just my DSLR and the new msm Nomad tracker. Great travel set up

[@abellio8559]

What a lovely little set up. Images as usual are beautiful. Clear skies Glenn

[@Astrobloke]

Thank you. Its a very nice bit of kit

[@SmarteeeOutdoors]

Some great images! thanks for sharing. Agree, the 60mm ED Fracs available nowadays are superb starter scopes for Astrophotography. Lightweight, compact & pixel sharp. I have the AT60ED and it's a fabulous piece of kit.

[@Astrobloke]

Thank you, I was really impressed with the image quality this scope returned. As you say light, compact and sharp and so easy to just set up and use. I am really enjoying the experience of it. clear skies

[@AstroCrescentDIY]

Nice unbiased review, Glen! A good starter low-cost setup. Another useful video 👍👍.

[@Astrobloke]

Thank you, yes its a very nice little set up and perfect for not only a starter but for a mobile rig too. I have really enjoyed imaging with it.

[@jeremyhigginson9307]

Impressive video Glenn, finished off with lovely photos!!

[@Astrobloke]

Thank you Jeremy. I was quite pleased with the scopes results

[@Tony-Elliott]

Great little scope and camera set up mate , always nice to see what can be achieved with smaller scopes

[@Astrobloke]

Thank you Tony. The optics on this are nice and sharp and I really like the results from it. Hoping to get some longer time on a target to push the limits and see the results

[@Luftbubblan]

That initial b-roll is very cool, trippy! Really like it!

[@Astrobloke]

Thank you. I was trying out a Gimbal on the go pro. Trying to release the Spielberg from within lol

[@SimonsAstro]

That’s an amazing setup Glenn! Beautiful looking scope, it looks so similar to my Askar FRA 400! Some excellent images there mate, looked liked the camera/scope combo worked really well! Especially the dark shark Glenn, that 533 OSC camera did it a treat! Clear skies mate👍

[@Astrobloke]

Thanks Simon. It is a really nice little scope. Great results too. Wish I had this as my starter package back when I started.

[@AstroQuest1]

Nice video Glenn. The scope is really cool, priced right, and the images are very good. I also like the mini guide scope setup. - Cheers

[@Astrobloke]

Hi Kurt. Its a great little scope and I think very well priced. The mini guider set was great. Really liked that and worked perfectly

[@speedtripmantriumph7542]

What a great video. loved the shots of the scope.

[@Astrobloke]

Thank you. I tried my arty side lol

[@HeavenlyBackyardAstronomy]

You are absolutely correct about this as a GREAT beginner's scope/camera/guider/reducer. I wish I started with something like this instead of the giant 11" Celestron Edge HD. It is sooo much easier to learn guiding/tracking and in general, astrophotography with a lightweight f/4.8 system versus a heavy scope at f/10. (I learned, but it was greatly frustrating at times).

[@Astrobloke]

Wow Pat I didn't realize that was your first scope, what a beast. You certainly dived in the deep end with that. I am sure it was extremely challenging but then it has taught you a lot as you can see from what you do now. clear skies

[@Wolfie6020]

Nice review. I have that guide scope on a 6 inch Celestron SCT on a HEQ 5 mount and it does a fabulous job. I used a ZWO 120 mini camera which did not let me get focus until removing part of the rear of the guide scope and the dust protector from the ZWO and screwing them directly together. It was a little messy but works great once I managed to get focus. I agree with your comments about the USB - B. Much more reliable than USB - C. On a side notice I was watching your video, my five year old came out of her bedroom, I paused the video (on your face) and my daughter said you look like me... Cheers.

[@Astrobloke]

Hi mate and thanks you. Its a great little guidescope especially for a small mobile rig but works well on whatever. After using the GPCAM it will be one of them I next buy. The way it fits and the usb b are all better solutions in my opinion. I feel for you if you really are my doppleganger lol. Great to hear from you, hope you are keeping well Clear skies

[@clairehunter7911]

Great video. new setting is look super

[@Astrobloke]

Thank you. Yes the new space is working great and I am loving it. Clear skies

[@ronlundgren4391]

Outstanding!👏

[@Astrobloke]

Thank you!

[@TerryMcKnight1]

Great review Glenn

[@Astrobloke]

Thank you Terry.

[@AZ4Runner]

Very capable setup Glenn. I'm partial to the Dark Shark but all images are very nice. Maybe Little Purple can overtake Big Red.. I'd be up for some new gear. CS

[@Astrobloke]

Thanks Jason. The shark needs a bit more data so will hopefully add some more. The Altair cameras are really competitively priced and are really packed with extra features, video on the camera to follow.

[@astrophotonics9470]

Great Review, want to point out..similar scopes of this size, glass, build quality cost 100 bucks or more atleast here in the states, that makes this "Best Bang for Buck" or pound imo Clear Skies Glenn.

[@Astrobloke]

Thank you. Its a very nice scope and a good price. I didn't want to start comparing with other makes and just wanted to showcase this scope for Altair but I know its very well priced. I paid well over this a few years back for my William Optics Z61 and I can honestly say it's no better. Clear skies

[@dumpydalekobservatory]

Crikey Glenn that's a lot of Altair astro gear, I must admit when I finally ventured into using a cmos imaging camera I started off with the Altair 269C which sadly I had to sell to fund the 26C both cameras I've been very happy with & performed well, I did recently buy another 269C for a second rig though recently lol. I don't mind saying this but Altair have been very good to myself & Nicky their customer service is excellent. Great review & images mate clear skies.

[@Astrobloke]

Thanks Tich. Certainly was a lot of gear (gave me a video creator headache lol) I started off with the Altair 183C and sold that for a 183M. Both were great cameras. Having the 533C and also owning the ZWO533 pro you get a lot more features and build quality for your money with the Altair camera. UV/IR cut filter, heated sensor screen, power supply, proper hard case for protection, anti frost gas chamber not just a few desiccant tablets. Also more software features. And to add to that its cheaper with UK warranty, hard to beat really. Thanks for watching and take care, clear skies

[@nickym5271]

Sadly had to sell the 269C....to me lol. It didn't go far. Great images Glen, I'm wanting to grab the dark shark at some point too

[@dumpydalekobservatory]

@@nickym5271 And for that I'm truly grateful dear as it helped me get the 26C which is another awesome camera btw

[@markbayfield6381]

Wow mate for such a cheap affordable scope those are great images. I don’t think my issues are the gear its the user. I need your magic

[@Astrobloke]

Totally a great scope Mark. I'll see if I can manifest some Astro skills your way, just keep at it mate, we all learn and get better. Clear skies

[@woody5109]

Astro photography is 10% imaging 90% processing. Great video Glenn.

[@Astrobloke]

The processing side is certainly not to be underestimated but good data helps and this little scope did really well. thanks for the support mate, clear skies

[@jimngugk4741]

Wow 90%processing ? Yai yai yai i cant do that 😮 have no confidence to do it at all 😢

[@Astrobloke]

@@jimngugk4741 it sounds a lot scarier than it actually is. Once you have learnt the basics which isn’t a lot you can achieve good results

[@reflux043]

@@Astrobloke Just wondering, can you take good photos of the moon, stars, and planets without the use of photoshop or enhancing effects?

[@yobtnirp]

More like 1% imaging 9% processing and 90% empty bank account

[@davidoflanagan]

Hello my friend. I am so happy you uploaded this video. I have the Altair 60 EDF with 0.8 reducer and now using the Player One Ares-C ( IMX 533 ). I have not had a clear night for first light but was worrying about astronomy tools saying it will under sample with this combo. Did you notice this or not or did dithering help. Again keep up the amazing work

[@Astrobloke]

Hi Davd, thank you for watching and commenting. If you zoom in then yes you will start to notice the undersampling in blocky stars but if you dither you can then drizzle the data and that will sort all that out for you. If you leave it as a widefield shot, you won't notice it at all

[@davidoflanagan]

@Astrobloke thankyou for the reply Glen. Going to keep the images as wide field as that's the main style that I like now

[@charliefuller8538]

I used to have a celestron nexstar 8se…. Ended up selling it when I got really busy with my job and wasn’t able to spend much time out once it was dark as I had to wake up for 4:30am. Wanting to get back into it for like under $1000 just as something to do occasionally

[@Astrobloke]

Hi Charlie and thank you for watching and commenting. This is excellent for that as its so quick and simple to get going and being so light and portable very nice to work with. Some set ups need a bit of time and when we have work and life pressures makes it difficult. I wish you all the best and clear skies

[@user-lt9py2pu6u]

Good reviews. I use the same guide scope with my white cat51. It really does go well with the smaller refractors. By the way, do you know if there is a dew heater available for this ( the one I have for my 50mm gs is a bit too big). Looking forward to your review of the 533 (thinking of getting one).

[@Astrobloke]

Thank you for watching and commenting. I really liked that guider kit, very smart and worked really well. I am not sure if there is a dew heater that small, you would have to ask. I just used a small one wrapped around a couple of times. The camera is really nice and an excellent choice but will hopefully have a video out in a few days if not sooner

[@Rainy78]

I got myself the Quattro 130pds as my first telescope haha. Still having to purchase more accessories before first light! Im pretty excited and biting my nails at the same time 😂

[@Astrobloke]

Thats a very nice scope and will get you some lovely images, i have a 130pds which is great but the quattro will be lovely. What camera do you have?

[@Rainy78]

@@Astrobloke Still yet to figure that out. Perhaps the new ASI585MC PRO.

[@Rainy78]

@@Astrobloke What guide scope would you recommend for the 130pds? Will a 30mm f4 work? Thanks Mate!

[@John-lz3hf]

Jesus, I thought I might look into astrophotography after looking through some binoculars at the moon, but this "beginner" setup just proved to me that it's too expensive of a hobby for the common working man.

[@Astrobloke]

Telescopes like camera lenses are not cheap. Photographing the moon and objects like that can be done inexpensively though. There are adapters to get your phone on binoculars so you can image through them or if you already ha e a decent camera you can use that.

[@MrLuke1970]

I was just looking for a review of this scope thank you ! A technical question how did you achieve the standard 55mm backfocus after the reducer and the filter holder (17mm if I'm not mistaken). Thanks 😊

[@Astrobloke]

Hi and thank you for watching. It really is a very nice scope and I am sure will be very happy with it. . Altair included all the correct spacers for backspacing and I am sure if you ask them at point of ordering they will supply everything you might need regarding that dependent on the camera you plan to use. I have quite a large collection of spacers that I have acquired over time so can always make or get very close to 55mm. Sorry I cannot be specific of what was used to get the focus as I no longer have it in my pocession but Ian or any of the team at Altair will be able to help. Clear skies

[@Cheshire_Astronomy]

thats the sort of light setup that an ASIAIR is made for, just not compatible with non-asi cameras (atm anyway)

[@Astrobloke]

I agree. The mini pc route would work really well if you don’t want to be tied to ZWO though.

[@dumpydalekobservatory]

Well Glenn I'm not ashamed to admit it but I bought one of these scopes at Kelling Heath star party as I fancy going for some wider field of view images, was it ok to balance with the camera hanging off the back? As I noticed the dovetail sitting underneath the focuser? And does it make using the rotator a bit fiddly with the screw underneath?

[@Astrobloke]

Hello mate. Its a very nice scope, you will be happy with the results. I think i had the dovetail turned around but didn’t have any issues with balance or the rotator access

[@Starlightchaser100]

👍

[@Astrobloke]

Thanks

[@toriwil7260]

What about the CELESTRON StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ. I’m looking for a beginner for my husband.

[@Astrobloke]

The 130 Newtonian scopes will give really nice images and the package looks good. I have not ever used one however so if you can find some reviews that might help. Good luck

[@Allyourbase1990]

I was looking at a Celestron for $350 but I’m not sure how good they are . I’ve never had a telescope except for a cheap one as a kid .

[@Astrobloke]

Which Celestron are you looking at?

[@geoffwalmsley3066]

Hi, what make are the floor standing speakers?They look like b@w,are you into your hifi?

[@Astrobloke]

They certainly are B&W and I have a modified Rega Planer 3 deck with a Rega amp. My vinyl collection is another passion of mine. Are you into hifi too?

[@user-jm9iw6mm9o]

Hpyp

[@Astrobloke]

Hi, Hpyp? Sorry can’t work that one out. Thanks for watching

[@jesuschrist2284]

How much does that 3.5kg cost?

[@Astrobloke]

www.altairastro.com/starwave-60ed-imaging-refractor-11664-p.asp. A very nice scope for less than £400

[@jesuschrist2284]

@@Astrobloke ty will have a look

[@jesuschrist2284]

@@Astrobloke looks like a lot of scope for 1.5kg. and its green ;)

[@AllanSavolainen]

This sounds tad expensive for beginner?

[@Astrobloke]

What would you suggest?

[@markbayfield6381]

If you think thats expensive, Astrophotography is going to be a bit of a shock for you.

[@AllanSavolainen]

@@Astrobloke use a DSLR if you have one for starters. Dunno about mounts and scopes but there are affordable ones out there. This feels more for one who wants to take the next step from being a beginner.

[@AllanSavolainen]

@@markbayfield6381 oh I know, this hobby is a money and time sink

[@Astrobloke]

@@AllanSavolainen i think you missed the point of the video. This is a very good first scope for a beginner who is now at the stage of moving up from lenses. I mention that it can be used with a DSLR within the video. There are cheaper alternatives but this is a proper Astrophotography scope that has a flat field and no chromatic aberration. This makes it a very good first scope as it is good quality and will give you the step up from lenses and is a scope you would keep unlike the very cheap alternatives that cone with lots of issues.