Ya Genap satu tahun saya bejinak dengan astrophotography.
Looking back after one year dabbling into astrophotography I think I'm a lot better educated now, but it's still sometimes hard to know where the hype and advertising start and real-world experiences stop.
Due to the faceless nature on most of the great feedback we get on FO, we cannot assume that it is always 100% unmotivated. Plus, the ones that are responding typically own the product, so they are not going to tell you what a bad decision they made, that's human nature!! Also, everyone's finances, needs, requirements and expectations are different, what makes one man happy may make another frown... and finally, those that had a bad experience or did not like a product are usually less apt to speak up!
Now if you could only run down to the astronomy shop and see, touch, felt, sampled the Takahashi or APGTO, it would have been an easier and more self-accountable decision. Since we cannot, we just need to tread carefully, and maybe get lucky. The only drawback is, of course, the price we pay for making less than optimal decisions.
Then again I suppose in many ways it is like bird photography, the better equipment you have, the more it feels like cheating, and the thrill is no better now for me than it was when I first started with bird photography. Sure, you get peer recognition, but most do this hobby for personal satisfaction.
And part of the satisfaction is learning and improving, and part of that is making the most of your equipment and off course meeting new faces.
So if I were to start again I would buy best portable mount I can afford now that I am aware it being the foundation of any killer setup; you need to think about the mount first! - especially if you want to do astrophotography. A good camera is the second priority. Finally, purchase the telescope with whatever money you have left. Lastly make sure your spouse knows that this is an expensive hobby and that you will be occupied many evenings and that you need to sleep-in after a full night of imaging.
I think my wallet needs a recharge!
HAPPY NEW YEAR 1430 and 2009.
cheers
