[R-390] $5000.00 390A????

[Walter Wilson]

I have a similar 8" Schmidt-Cass. telescope with computer drive.  I use a
Canon SLR strapped on the back, with a guide scope with webcam connected to
a netbook, issuing the guide commands to the telescope.  Takes nice
pictures, when I take the time to set it up and use it.  I only do this a
few times a year, on those infrequent cloudless nights when the local
astronomy club has their star party out at a dark site.  It's rewarding,
but too infrequent and takes a lot of time spent in the field to get good
pictures.  But one night out usually keeps me busy processing pictures for
a few nights after I return.

I seem to enjoy hobbies where I get to combine several interests.  In the
case of telescope, I combine my love for the outdoors and a night under the
stars with photography and a little electronics interfacing for the drive,
and digital image processing afterwards.  And its was a bit learning curve
figuring out how to best polar align the telescope during setup, because
without proper alignment, tracking motors have to fight too hard to track
the stars.

You know, for me it's that adventure of trying to get the very best out of
a piece of equipment that drives most of my hobbies.  Radio, photography,
astroimaging, and so forth.

Walter - KK4DF

On Fri, Mar 16, 2012 at 10:21 AM, chacuff <chacuff at cableone.net> wrote:

> 10 or more years ago I picked up a Meade 8" Schmit with the computer drive
> etc...
>
> Lots of fun but you must have dark skys to enjoy the thing.  I didn't.
>  Sold
> it twice.  Bought it back once.
>
> It's gone now for good....at least until I possibly end up in Arizona or
> something...
>
> You can spend lots of money...especially if you get in to color digital
> astro photography.
>
> Makes the $5000 R390A pale....
>
> Cecil
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "rbethman" <rbethman at comcast.net>
> To: <r-390 at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Friday, March 16, 2012 8:44 AM
> Subject: Re: [R-390] $5000.00 390A????
>
>
> > No question that Don has the patience of Jobe!
> >
> > There is no other way he would be able to ride herd over this crew.
> >
> > I got snagged into Amateur Astronomy about 1998 when COSTCO was selling
> > the Meade ETX series.  I picked up and ETX-60.  That didn't last very
> > long as it didn't allow me to see what I wanted to.  So within about a
> > year, I went and procured The original Celestron Nexstar 8" SCT.
> >
> > It is a hobby very much like owning a boat.  It is a perpetual sinkhole
> > that consumes $$$.
> >
> > We are never satisfied.  Always on the prowl for better Eyepieces.  So
> > now I have this horde of Nagler Type 4 EPs.
> >
> > Bob - N0DGN
> >
> >
> >
> > On 3/15/2012 8:38 PM, barry williams wrote:
> >> Don probably has the patience of Job! Glad you got to meet him. I
> >> haven't been to Dayton yet, but my 67 EAC came from there. We tried the
> >> 'on subject only' route a few years back and the list was on life
> >> support. We lost a lot of members.
> >>
> >> That talk about telescopes way back almost got me into it a few years
> >> back. A neighbor was selling off some things and his big, fat, huge
> >> Meade was up for less than 50% cost. I wish I had jumped on that deal
> >> when I had the chance. Yup, siege mortar is exactly what he had too.
> >>
> >> I know what you mean about wives. My wife accepted the full blown shop
> >> in the den when we met and later married. I was married before and that
> >> wife accepted my first R-390A in the bedroom and on top of my night
> >> table for a few weeks. Ah, the bliss of newlyweds.
> >>
> >> By the way, who was the list member way back who always came up with
> >> boat anchors when he went dumpster diving? He was always telling us
> >> about finding all kinds of stuff. I can't remember his name now. I
> >> almost hated him at times when he found something.
> >>
> >>
> >> the other Barry
> >>
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