Is this good for AP

[tropic steppe]

I found this dslr lens for cheap because the autofocus doesn’t work. Will it be a good lens for galaxies and nebula and other dso?

[regal sand]

it has a really short fl, it's barely enough for large dsos like andromeda

[tropic steppe]

Ok thanks was just wondering. I do have a lens now but I don’t think it’s very good

[regal sand]

this one is probably about the same in terms of quality, it doesn't look like one of the more premium lenses

[tropic steppe]

What about this one

[regal sand]

similar deal Ig, check the price as new

but in general a lens for 30$ won't be amazing

[tropic steppe]

What lens do you recommend like under 60 just as a temporary one

[regal sand]

I don't know a lot about lenses, mainly the most popular options which are far from 60usd

[tropic steppe]

What about a cheap refractor?

[regal sand]

same deal, if you ask me a cheap refractor starts at 400 or so

[tropic steppe]

Damn that’s a lot. I guess ill have to figure something else out

[regal sand]

basic question but do you have a tracker already? I'd focus on that first if you don't

[tropic steppe]

Yes I bought one that’s arriving tomorrow

And I have the tripod and camera

[regal sand]

nice, which one?

[tropic steppe]

Star adventurer 2i pro pack

[regal sand]

good pick

even with your current lens the ability to track will improve visibly the images

[tropic steppe]

Yes I can’t wait to use it. I did get a picture of Orion Nebula and Orion’s Belt without the tracker and it was alright

[tall hound]

@tropic steppe what camera are you using?

There are a few 135mm f2.8 lenses for under £50 but you have to do some research on astrobin as their quality can vary a lot

[regal sand]

I have a tamron 135mm like that but it couldn't focus on my dslr with the adapter for some reason

[tall hound]

It might be because the adapter is too thick. I have a Helios 44-2 that used to be my grandfather's and that can't focus to infinity because the adapter I'm using adds about a mm. Thankfully on that, I can unscrew the lens elements from the focus part and take out a tiny 2mm spacer which is enough to reach focus. It only takes like 10 seconds. Basically if you want a 135 f2.5/2.8 you need to make sure it is the same mount originally as the camera.

Or it must have a longer focus distance. M42 lenses should be fine on canon cameras depending on the adapter used.

[regal sand]

yeah that's the same thing I thought, that lens has an adaptall bayonet so I had to purchase a adaptall to canon

and there aren't a lot of other options as it's not as popular as m42 to canon

[tropic steppe]

Canon eos 1000d

@regal sand is this tripod fine for the star tracker

[regal sand]

the bolt on the top is different

[tropic steppe]

It does go up if that’s what you mean

[regal sand]

no the size is prob different

[tropic steppe]

Really? it’s a 3/8” thread

[regal sand]

I'm pretty sure it's 1/4" on the sa 2i

let me check, just to make sure

[tropic steppe]

Ok

[regal sand]

ok nvm it's 3/8"

1/4" is on the bottom of the dslr, I mixed them up

[tropic steppe]

Had me scared there for a sec

[regal sand]

sorry

[tropic steppe]

@regal sand the star tracker is not coming today and I have clear skies. I hope this works😭

[regal sand]

mmh why is the camera tilted downwards?

[tropic steppe]

It’s because the screw is a bit far back and I can’t move it forwards

[tall hound]

Flip the cam around so the dovetail is underneath it

[tropic steppe]

Wdym?

[tall hound]

Hang on, is it one of those where there is a thick part in the middle and thin part on the ends?

[tropic steppe]

@regal sand how do I put the polar scope on this

[regal sand]

Isn't it in there already?

[tropic steppe]

Sorry I mean like the thing that lights it up

[regal sand]

no idea

[tropic steppe]

@regal sand A guy recommended that I get a nifty fifty. Do you think I should?

[regal sand]

50mm is really short, that's like milkyway and nothing else

[tropic steppe]

Damn. Are there any good lens you can recommend my budget is like under £150

[tall hound]

https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=223694

https://app.astrobin.com/equipment/explorer/telescope/1504/canon-ef-200mm-f28l-usm

This is the only one I could find

[tropic steppe]

I found this apparently it’s good for its price and I like it

[tall hound]

It's a bit slow, and there is quite a lot of CA and coma. Try to find a prime lens in the range of 135-300mm as those usually have the best optical quality. Also always check astrobin for sample images

[tropic steppe]

Yeah I looked at images I definitely like it as a temp lens just until I can save up for something better. I reckon I can get a great image if I take images over a couple days.

[regal sand]

I agree at looking for prime lenses

[sinful knot]

this is what I got and I'm honestly impressed. I got this for 70 quid from mbp. here's 2 pics. the m31 is 1 hr and the bodes galaxy is 1 hour. the m31 pic was taken at 300m the bodes was taken at 135mm (btw these pics can be so much better, these don't have any calibration frames and was processed badly.)

what I'm going to say is don't expect to get most nebulae without a dslr mod, i did the flaming star 1 night for just under 5 hours and nothing showed up. a nice pair with a ha mod for your dslr would be a dual narrowband filter.

would recommend this place to get your dslr modded. https://www.astrogear.net/collections/astrophotography-camera-conversion-service

and there's some dlsr's you can buy at first light optics that are modded for a good price

[sinful knot]

in my personal use I have barely anything and if any ca and coma did come through its been removed in processing.

[tall hound]

Oh that's great, I was just looking at what images were on astrobin.

[sinful knot]

Oh yea I remember looking at those and it sort of made me hold back until I saw Astro backyards take on it and his pic of the witch head with it was very nice. don't get me wrong this is not amazing lol but for a beginner like my self included it is very nice as long its not for a bad price.

[tropic steppe]

Tbh that picture is want I want to get. like the pictures don’t have to be amazing but just something that I will be proud of would do. And at that price I think would be good. Also why do people buy at mbp is it because of their warranty?

[sinful knot]

It does come with a 6 month warranty off the bat which is nice and the option to choose a 2 year one for extra money,
but the reason I bought from MBP is because they show you the real pics for every single thing that they sell which I think is very cool so you know exactly what your getting.
It also comes with all the accessories too like the dust cover and the cover for the back of it when it's not attach to a DSLR.

[sinful knot]

oh yea you can get wayy better too than mine these were crappy

[tropic steppe]

Oh wow that is good so if it breaks they send you a brand new one or a used one?

[sinful knot]

it would be a used one but they would probably also try to repair it, if that don't work then they will give you a whole another one.