Comments on: CGEM Astrophotography- The Next Phase

By: Stephman

Stephman — Tue, 10 May 2011 00:14:01 +0000

Ray, thanks for the info.

I’m thinking I may just go with ADM’s CGEM dual mounting head for Losmandy D/Vixen style dovetails.

DUAL-CGEM-SAD-OR
http://admaccessories.com/Miscellaneous_CGEM.htm

By: AstroPhotography Tonight

AstroPhotography Tonight — Sun, 08 May 2011 14:39:06 +0000

Hi Stephman,
Congratulations on getting a CGEM! I am using the DMM7 from ADM: http://www.admaccessories.com/D_Series_Male_to_Male.htm. It looks like there are a couple of holes that might work for bolting your DS-114 rings to. The DMM12 might work as well. I would contact Anthony Divoli at ADM to be sure: sales@admaccessories.com.

Regarding a side-by-side setup, I have not tried this yet. But check out my friend Jeff Turner’s site: http://www.daltonskygazer.com/my-equipment-4. He has the CGEM with a side-by-side setup. He would be very happy to provide input on this.

I hope this helps!

Ray Shore

By: Stephman

Stephman — Sat, 07 May 2011 16:49:24 +0000

…my mistake, the tube is 5.25″ diameter, across.

By: Stephman

Stephman — Sat, 07 May 2011 16:02:11 +0000

Ray,
I have a like new CGEM on the way.
For now, I’m going to be using a cheap, old Meade DS-114 OTA that I’ve had for years.
It’s 114mm (4.5″ – 5″) round I believe.

I need to connect the DS-114 to the CGEM mount head. My question for you, which saddle for CGEM do I need to get? Which saddle are you using with your CGEM mount?
The DS-114 has a ring set around it with each ring having threaded holes on each side which I’m assuming a can use to screw the ring with OTA into the saddle I’ll need. I can provide pics if need me of the ring and OTA.

I figured I’d ask you as you’ve written a wonderful review about your CGEM, seem very knowledgable and I’m getting myself a little confused in finding the correct CGEM saddle I’ll need for my setup.

I’m not sure if you could chime in on this as well, down the road I’d like to pick up a used refractor, 80mm or up and mount this side by side with the old DS-114. And use this setup with my Panasonic GH-1 m4/3 dslr for some astrophotography.

Thanks for any info you can provide, and thanks for a great review and site!

Stephman

By: AstroPhotography Tonight

AstroPhotography Tonight — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 23:42:15 +0000

Hi Mike,
Congrat’s on getting your Edge HD and first image from it! There never seems to be an end to the gadgets you want to buy for this pasttime. I highly encourage you to get an autoguider though. This will make a huge difference in what you can achieve. I’ve used the heck out of my Orion autoguider lately with the great weather that we’ve had. Here is a shot of the Andromeda Galaxy that I’ve been working on: http://astro.shoregalaxy.com/photos/displayimage.php?album=10&pos=1. I was taking 15 min. exposures of it the other night and the autoguider worked flawlessly. This photo was taken with my ED80 scope on the CGEM.
Keep in touch. Would like to see some of your photos.
Thanks, Ray Shore

By: Mike Wolski

Mike Wolski — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 19:20:28 +0000

Hi Ray, thanks for your reply. I have finally got my edge hd ota and it looks real nice. my first photo was of the ring nebula and it came out great. it is a stack of 15 30sec exposures. I used Deepskystacker and it worked great. I want to upgrade fron my olympus e-volt e-300 to the new digilal rebel. The longest exposure I can do with the e300 is 30 sec. I also need a dew heater system. (had some nights cut short latley) I also need an autoguider to help with the longer exposures with the much needed new camera. (there are alyays so many things to buy) I am encourged by the low price of the orion autoguider package. I think your website is great and i look foward to seeing some edge hd photos!

By: Ray Shore

Ray Shore — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 13:50:09 +0000

Hi Mike,

I used to have a CG5 with 8″ SCT. I did a lot of planetary astrophotography with that scope. I can tell you the CGEM is a nice upgrade from that mount. Much more beefy and is very capable of turning out great photos.

You are correct on the focal length thing. It is easier to start with a short focal length scope. Everything has to be much more precise at longer focal lengths.

Good luck with your CGEM and your Edge HD. I think you’ll like this setup!

Ray Shore

By: Mike Wolski

Mike Wolski — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:12:16 +0000

Hi Jeff. I am enjoying reading your cgem review. I cant wait to see your photos with the edge 8 hd. I recently got the cgem but I am waiting for the edge 8 hd. Iam also considering a short focal length refractor for wide field imaging. My cgem looks great but with no ota I have not used it yet. I am upgrading from a cg5. I am encouraged by the photos i see taken with this mount.I cant wait to start taking my own astrophotos. I also heard that imaging at long focal lengths is very difficult. I hope the cgem is up to the task because i definitly cannot afford anything else.
Good luck and clear skies for everyone in this forum.
Talk to you guys soon,
Mike Wolski
Long Island N.Y.

By: Ray Shore

Ray Shore — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 01:47:43 +0000

Hi,

Yes, in fact I just posted my initial review of astrophotography with the CGEM: http://www.astrophotography-tonight.com/cgem-review-part-4-astrophotography.

I plan to post more later as I get more experience with it. My imaging session last night was just a start. I was getting used to some of the new equipment.

Thanks,

Ray Shore

By: Spliney

Spliney — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 08:50:27 +0000

Hi Ray,

was wondering if you are also going to use your Celestron for deepsky astrophotography?