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Hi, I will eventually want a more powerful scope (longing for greater detail in my shots already) what would the next be? I am looking at the ZS126 or perhaps the 103. I am hopeful I can upgrade the scope without upgrading the mount. Thanks for the input! |
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Hi Schmaks, I went from the Z61 with a Skyguider pro to the z103 and HEQ-5 pro this year, with the Field flattener for the Z103 you have a 0.8 reducer, so you are getting a much bigger scope with only about double the focal length + faster F. I am very happy with the Z103 and it works great on my HEQ5 pro mount. Roll over to my page to see results ( i m by no means as talented as most on this site but it gives you a starting point). One thing I have noticed though through all my equipment buying is you ve got to be absolutely sure everything is going to work, so you are doing the right hing and asking! I am taking in some cases 600s Subs, and I m sure I can do more ( i ve already prepared the 900s dark frames). Or for a big boost without going all out on a new scope is guiding. I personally think (because i m afraid to go down the laptop route) an ASIair and a guiding cam brings a heck of a lot to the imaging in tracking and longer exposures. Hope that helps a little! Z103 is well worth it, but I think after adding all the accessories I'm pushing 50% of the weight limit of the HEQ-5 Pro and I m not going to go over it. Next stop a new mount!  |
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Richard: Thanks! This is a good reference. |
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Hi schmaks! Out of the two, I would only consider the 102. There is a very large difference in size and weight between 102mm and 126mm. For photography these factors matter more than aperture because they affect tracking and guiding accuracy which you becomes more important the larger the focal length. The heq5 has a nominal capacity of 13.5kg, so maybe 8 for imaging. I just don't see it coping with 10kg worth of scope. This is why most people never go above 100-106mm refractors. If you want to aim that high there are much better options in the form of reflectors and catadioptrics IMO. You should also consider whether that detail is actually achievable with your average seeing conditions. You might find that things at 800mm focal length are just fuzzy 2x versions of things at 400mm. Cheers, Dimitris |
