Best Scope Value for Planetary Photos?

[galacticphoto]

All:

I'd like some opinions as to what commercially available reflectors provide the best value for planetary imaging (webcam type imaging). I'm most interested in hands on experience, preferrably side by side, or similar comparisons, of reasonably priced cassegrains/newts that weigh no more than 50 or 55lb (for GEM mounting).

A couple of years ago, I concluded that the Mewlon 250 was the way to go, but as I look around the web, I see consistently good photography out of people using different scopes, including the C14, C11, AP 10" Mak-Cas, and a few others.

What is your choice/preference for planetary imagery, based on direct experience? Why do you prefer it?

Robert

[Jim Fusco]

Hi Robert,

I had a C14 with starbright coatings grey tube, 2 meades lx200 10's meade 5" mak. I have just purchased a new MK91 Santel mak with a Sital mirror and enhanced coatings in December. I can see airy disks on fainter stars, I have never notice this with the SCT's I had. The maks are real sharp performers. I'm not really into photo work but I do give projection a shot. Anyway I found the Santel MK91 excellent on the planets visually and I'm sure if photo work is desired the performance would be nothing less than excellent.

[galacticphoto]

Jim:

Did you ever compare the C14 to the mak-cas from a photo perspective? For a given FL, the C14 will be 25-30% faster, hence shorter exposures, and higher frame rates to help beat the seeing.

Certainly the mak-cas will outperform the SCT in a lab, and I guess optically too, but for photo work I wonder if the larger scope will outperform the similarly priced smaller one, even though it isn't up to the same optical standards???

Robert

[Jim Fusco]

Hi Robert,

I only had a few good views with the C14 over the 2 years I had it. So I never had a chance to hook up my camera. I blame it on my location 1st. New Jersey has the jet stream and the temp is always falling. The Pyrex mirror I felt was always adjusting, this could be an issue for photo work. I had a similar with my 2 lx200 10"s. My mak has a sital mirror that offers a stable base for thermal adjustments. I understand where you are coming from, but the mak with the smaller CO and BK7 corrector, sital mirror with enhanced coatings, really is a nice performing instrument. The mirror is fixed but that and the secondary can be adjusted.
The C14 is big, if you have a mount that can handle it and a good location then it's something to really consider, 4.9" more. However I think the C14 should have the sital mirror and BK7 corrector, this I feel would raise the scope to a new level. The first night with the MK91 I had airy disks on the stars something I never had with the SCT's. So if a sharper image will help during you photo session and a lighter smaller scope for your mount well you know your answer.
I'm in the process of having Warren at feathertouch make me a focuser. The stock focuser is good, 4 bearing crayford. But I like the feathertouch 2 speed stuff.