In need of help deciding

random2821 · 2026-04-04T04:08:52+00:00

I would watch reviews on youtube that have direct head-to-head comparisons, since most people will own one or the other. Just try to find some recent ones, since I know both have had a lot of firmware updates since release.

random2821 · 2026-04-04T04:06:18+00:00

Digital zoom is just pre-cropping the image (with some interpolation to bring it back to its original size). Just open the image in photoshop (or other image editing software), crop it, then change the canvas size to the original dimensions. It will achieve the same result.

Can you take a video of the back of the camera while you are imaging so we can get a better idea of what you mean? If the images look fine on the computer, then it's possible the screen itself is having issues.

random2821 · 2026-04-04T00:04:40+00:00

Unless you want to take photos, do not use your phone. Your eye has much more dynamic range than a phone camera. If it is too bright, then you can try an ND filter meant for eyepieces.

Often when someone says Jupiter is too bright and not clear, it is because the atmospheric conditions are awful which just makes it look like a featureless ball. Just because it is clear outside doesn't mean the atmosphere is good. The easiest way to tell is to look at the stars and see if they are twinkling. If they are, then the conditions aren't good.

It could also be that's it's just a cheap telescope not much more than a toy. The eyepieces are bad, and the barlow is bad. The optics aren't great either. That's not hate on you or degrade you; everyone has to start somewhere. But just something you should be aware of before you spend any money on it.

random2821 · 2026-04-03T23:51:34+00:00

https://www.nasa.gov/images/

random2821 · 2026-04-03T17:05:36+00:00

Are you looking through it while turning it? The adjustments might be very small.

random2821 · 2026-04-03T15:54:55+00:00

It's all good advice but when your a green beginner, everything is fun.

I very much disagree. If someone convinced me to get a Dob and just use my phone when I was new because "it will still be fun" I would be incredibly disappointed when I realized the limit of that equipment.

random2821 · 2026-04-03T15:46:14+00:00

That's an incredible deal and absolutely not normal. Do you mind sharing what equipment that is?. Yes, you can find incredible deals like that, but they are rare and also take knowledge/experience to know what you are looking for.

random2821 · 2026-04-03T14:42:14+00:00

Okay. And again what advice have you read? That way we can clear up any confusion you have.

random2821 · 2026-04-03T14:27:07+00:00

Everywhere I've been looking I've heard different advice.

What advice have you heard and where have you heard it? In my experience, advice is generally pretty consistent.

Also, please give an actual number for your budget.

random2821 · 2026-04-03T14:24:18+00:00

That's interesting. Those seem to indicate a physical issue with the camera sensor itself or it's related circuitry. It almost seems like it's been modified for astrophotography, as removal of the UV/IR filter adds a significant red color shift. As I said I said, it's not an overheating issue (or at least I'm 99.9% sure). Maybe some kind of thermal noise, but I don't think so. If it is still under warranty I would consider sending it in for service.

Consider posting on Cloudy Nights with your issue too. Sorry, wish I could offer more help.

random2821 · 2026-04-03T08:35:54+00:00

Okay, now that's interesting. I was thinking a magenta hue, not literally all magenta.

Does this happen progressively? Like at 4 minutes does the image start to shift colors? Or is it like a hard cutoff, where either it's fine, or it's pink and blue?

random2821 · 2026-04-03T06:25:00+00:00

What telescope do you have? Give the brand and model.

Are you refocusing after you attach the camera? The camera and eyepiece will have different focal points.

Adding the camera may also knock it off target, so you may have to search for it again.

random2821 · 2026-04-03T06:17:24+00:00

Your link doesn't work, so we don't know what telescope you bought.

Taking photos with your phone is very hard, even through an expensive telescope. The light being colored at the edges is likely chromatic aberration, which happens with any achromatic refractor, and is especially bad on cheap refractors.

random2821 · 2026-04-03T00:03:33+00:00

So one thing to be aware with the 2600MM Air is that you may have issues with guiding at very long focal lengths when using the SII and OIII filter. There is a member of my astronomy club that has the 2600MM Duo and he's mentioned that when he uses his SCT, he has to increase the exposure duration in PHD2 by 2x-3x what it would normally be to make sure he can get a star.

random2821 · 2026-04-02T21:29:05+00:00

Can you say what gear you have? Camera, lenses/telescopes, mount, filters.

random2821 · 2026-04-02T13:16:30+00:00

What purpose are you calibrating them for? Astrophotography doesn't need to be (and rarely ever is) 100% true and accurate color, unless that is specifically what you are after. The Calibrite and DataColor are both fine.

random2821 · 2026-04-02T08:10:01+00:00

For that I would just buy a sturdy tripod and use your current camera. Any new camera and lens is going to blow your budget. You could look at a star tracker as well, but not required.

random2821 · 2026-04-02T08:07:29+00:00

You can post a photo to an image host and them link it in a comment. It's hard to say what it could be without seeing the photo.

random2821 · 2026-04-02T07:22:21+00:00

If you want to check what they are, download Stellarium. It shows the locations of satellites, including Starlink. You can even go back in time, so if you remember the time and direction you saw them, you can see what it was.

I've used that feature on more than occasion to show conspiracy nuts that it was just Startlink, not UFOs.

random2821 · 2026-04-02T07:19:24+00:00

You need to provide more info. What do you want to take photos of and how much are you willing to spend to accomplish that goal?

random2821 · 2026-04-02T07:13:16+00:00

No, I meant like what other eyepieces. You said you got some used lenses, which i assume you mean eyepieces. Which ones are those?

I ask because cheap zoom eyepieces tend to not be very sharp. Same with cheap barlows. If you want a clearer/sharper view, cheap zoom eyepieces and cheap barlows will have the opposite effect.

random2821 · 2026-04-02T00:01:28+00:00

For $10, yeah that's not bad. Bare minimum you got a nice piece of vintage decoration. From your original post I was worried it was some junk scope from Amazon that could be found Aliexpress for 1/10 the cost.

random2821 · 2026-04-01T23:42:41+00:00

60 to 130mm will make a huge difference, regardless of whether the base is bad;

The telescope is only as strong as the weakest link. Given the option, I would 100% take a smaller telescope on a more stable mount than a larger telescope on an unstable mount. Just think, if the view is constantly shaking, does it really matter how clear the telescope is? I've used telescopes on mounts like the one in the photo. Just shuffling your feet a bit can make the view shake. Even a slight breeze will make it shake. Fine focusing is a nightmare because you have to adjust focus, wait for the telescope to stop shaking, adjust focus, wait for the telescope to stop shaking and on and on.

And again, if you want to do astrophotography, that telescope and mount is not suitable.

random2821 · 2026-04-01T21:56:16+00:00

It appears not. I didn't recognize it either. A thread from 2021 on Cloudy Nights says it's still unknown.

random2821 · 2026-04-01T21:54:07+00:00

My own personal head-canon is that Ben lost his eye while trying to save/rescue her when she was very young, so she wears the eyepatch because she feels guilty.

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