Hi Guys,
I have just joined as I stumbled across this great site whilst searching for Lunar photo's a few days ago and I found the Copernicus series sent in by John Lear which I thought were awesome. I had a lot of fun reading the accompanying thread going back to Sep 2006 and can see that there are some "true" characters here

Once I get settled in I am sure that I will get a great deal of enjoyment here, meet some cool people, have some laughs and learn a lot too

Anyway, to cut a long story, short I would like to know if there is a specific section or group of members who can give me any advice on what kind of astro telescope to buy, I want to be able to take photos so i'm thinking a mirror scope and camera combo (or do they come with a camera adapter) will i need auto tracking.?? now that probably sounds like I know more than I actually do coz although I can just about find my way round the night sky, I know "jack" about telescopes

Any advice would be great,

oh, i guess it would help if i said i can stretch to about 6K tops (without involving a divorce lawyer )

Thanks a lot guys,
RK

Hey guys...

Check out www.skyandtelescope.com and www.astronomy.com for help in choosing a scope...

Also, try to contact astronomy clubs or public planetariums where you live; often, astronomy clubs that meet periodically will happily invite along and give you the opportunity to look thru different scopes.

Choose carefully so you don't end up with a scope that's
a) an over-priced piece of junk
b) a scope with awesome optics, but is so physically large that you'll never lug it out of the house.

My scope is a Meade Lightbridge 8".

Good luck,
Ezzi

WOW, 10 replies in as many hours, thanks a lot guys, I very much appreciate all the time and effort you guy’s took to share your knowledge.

Mysterysoul
“Orion EON 80mm ED Apochromatic Refractor Telescope but I am probably more of a beginner then you are.”
Thanks for that, I will have a look at that model, I can assure you Sir, you are definitely not more of a beginner than me…. LOL The only reason I know my way around the night sky is coz I used to be a marine navigator back in the days of sextants  I hope you get sorted out, please let me know how you get on, which model you get and what you think of it when you get up and running. Thanks a lot for your comments.

ezziboo "check out: www.skyandtelescope.com and www.astronomy.com “ - Will check out this site - thanks
“Choose carefully so you don't end up with a scope that's
a) an over-priced piece of junk - That is good advice and what I was afraid of doing 
b) a scope with awesome optics, but is so physically large that you'll never lug it out of the house.” - Food for thought – sounds obvious to you guys “in the know” but to be honest, it is something that would have been low down on my list of priorities – great advice, thanks…

My scope is a Meade Lightbridge 8" – I will do a search on this model, thanks 

Azala
“The best place to look on ATS would be our Space exploration forum.” Thanks for the link. I had a feeling this page would not be the place to start this thread so I will check that out later, much appreciated 

Tyr Sog
“Orion telescopes have some good entry level scopes. If I was going to make the astrophotography commitment I'd more then likely go with a orion refractor.
www.telescope.com...
Well there site seems to be having issues but you can get an idea as to cost. Look at their refractors and good computerized mounts for astrophotography.
good helpful friendly site here.
www.cloudynights.com... “ – Thanks for that Tyr, I will check out “Orion refractor” gear and the sites that you have mentioned 

Griffinrl
“I have a couple of Stellarvue refractors myself. They tend to be a little more pricey but they are handmade and provide razor sharp views. Plus their customer service is top notch.”
“They've been around for awhile. Check out stellarvue.com if you're curious. Great people and great scopes! “ - I will deffo check these out – thanks a lot 

Well you guys certainly have given me lots to consider there, thanks to you all and to ATS for a great site.
best regards
RK

Just for fun here is an image of Jupiter that I took with my Celestron C130 (5.1") Maksutov scope:

i just recently got into this too. My scope hasnt even arrived yet. pretty recent.

i went with a celestron astromaster 114eq. its normally 300 bucks, but i got it for 120

its a cheap scope, but it got rave reviews. supposedly the best of the "toy" quality. it didnt break my wallet so im happy.

i also got a solar filter for watching the sun, the motor mount for tracking, and a nice set of binoculars (celestron 15x70) so i can watch while im taking pics, or share while im using scope.

for a camera. my mom had an old canon ae-1 35mm with some nice lenses. i can piggyback the camera on the scope for wideangle with the lens, or i got a t-adapter for hooking it straight up to the eyepiece.

hopefully i will have some nice shots to show you all very soon.

if you are on a budget, i suggest getting a reflector. mirrors replace the (extremely) expensive optics, and you get a larger aperture for collecting more light.

the dobs are reflector too, and are a good choice.

if you really want to get into astrophoto, dont go with anything smaller than an 8" reflector.

if you are really just starting out. pick binoculars first. youll be surprised what you can see still, and not be out a lot of money