Telescope question?

Question

I am planning in buying a telescope, not to expensive can someone give me some advise how to shop for one, Is there one that a camera can be adapted or to take fotos of objects in the sky, moon etc.

Answer 1

If you can't spend $300 a telescope is a bad purchase. Buy binoculars instead.

Most important is this. Will you enjoy using it? The mount counts a lot for that, as well as the optics.

A cheap telescope is a very frustrating thing to use. The flimsy mount won't let you point it properly, and the optics may be fuzzy or have color rings around bright objects. This is the cheapest I can recommend.

http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=refractors/~pcategory=telescopes/~product_id=24688

Decent mount and optics, $300. Orion is perhaps the best inexpensive telescope. I believe a refractor is a better choice for a first telecope than a reflector. More sturdy, more intuitive to use.

Whatever you do, DO NOT get a telescope advertised by power, like 300 Power! A sure sign of junk.

For $100 you could have a good time with these:

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-7249-Action-10x50-Binocular/dp/B0001A3N58

and:

http://www.amazon.com/Binocular-Highlights-Celestial-Telescope-Stargazing/dp/1931559430/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1197102224&sr=8-2

Or these, for a little more money:

http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=binocular_astronomy/~pcategory=binoculars/~product_id=09463

Once again, though, don't cheap out. Poor optical instruments are no fun at all.

Using a camera is tricky. The easiest way is to get a small digital camera that has threads around the lens, and an eyepiece with threads and an adapter. Here's some information:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/ARTS/ASTRO/ASTRO.HTM

The pictures of the Moon are about what you can expect with the $300 telescope recommended above. You won't get results like books, without spending hundreds of dollars.

These people sell stuff to help you do this.

http://www.scopetronics.com/

Answer 2

All the advise given has been excellent.
If you do decide to buy a scope, a Dobsonian Mounted reflector is, in my opinion, the best choice. A 6" or 8" would be ideal and will still be in a budget price range.
Contrary to public opinion, you can do a limited amount of Astrophotography with a Dob. You will be limited to the Moon, Sun (properly filtered of course) and the brighter planets.
It is a simple process called Afocal Photography. Which means that you just butt the camera lens up to the telescopes eyepiece, focus, then take the photo.
You can even use a camcorder to record a movie the same way, then use a program such as "Registax" to stack all the movie frames into one really good image.
After a visit to your local Astronomical Society open night, you'll have a better idea of what you want.

Answer 3

Since you have already received some good advice on where to start looking, let me point out a couple of things Not to do.
DO NOT buy a telescope from places like ebay, amazon, discount houses, department stores and places like that. Yes, you can find bargains there, but it takes a lot of experience to find them among all the junk sold there.
NEVER buy a Telescope that is advertised by it's magnifying power ( as has already been pointed out ) This is meaningless hype and a sure indication of a junk telescope.
Orion Telescopes is also my personal favourite for beginners Telescopes. They sell good quality equipment at very reasonable prices and stand behind their products 100%, even long after the sale. Important if you have problems or questions later.
There is also a lot of good info in their catalog!
Oh, before I forget: Don't even think about imaging right now, get some observing experience with the scope first. Imaging is a specialty all in itself.
The last thing you need is the frustration of fiddling with imaging while you are trying to find your way around the sky and learn how to use your new Telescope. Later on, any camera can be adapted to work with a Telescope or you can spend thousands of $'s on specialty cameras and equipment.
There is no upper spending limit in this hobby.

Adolph

Answer 4

Look, people will tell you that it's a child's toy, and in comparison to telescopes some of us have used or built, it is. But it is far better than the naked eye. I would say if you are thinking about a telescope that size, you might consider a pair of binoculars. I don't know what price range you are talking about, but you should be able to find some decent second-hand ones with at least 50 mm lenses for the same price. Check it out on e-bay some time. I have seen lots of them there.

Answer 5

Many mid-sized home telescopes can take a camera adapter. Smaller scopes will not do so well because the weight of the camera would overpower the position settings.

I had a Celestron 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain scope with a 2000 mm focal length before Hurricane Katrina flooded my garage. It had the camera adapter for a K-mount. But I could have also gotten a screw-mount if I wanted one.

Answer 6

For now, spend your money on a membership to an astronomy club or astronomical society in your area. You will get far more out of that than a cheap telescope. Most clubs have presentations and loaner scopes plus you can attend their star parties and try out several types of scopes before you buy one. You will meet a lot of really nice people who will help you out with chosing and using your new scope once you do make a purchase. It is a great way to get your hiney off of the couch, learn something, and meet new friends. Added hint---take cookies to star parties and you will be their favorite person in the whole wide world!

If you insist on buying a scope now go to Orion. They have the best quality for your money.

oriontelescopes.com

Best wishes to you.