$300 for a Telescope: Refractor or Reflector?

Can’t decide on your first telescope for astrophotography? In this video, I give you all the information you need to make an informed decision, as well as look at some results from a shootout between a budget achromatic refractor and a budget imaging newtonian.

🔭 Telescope Purchase Links

Svbony SV48:

Apertura 6” F/5 Newtonian + Coma Corrector:

🌌 Images compared in this video:
=============================
Supporting this channel:
=============================
◦ Shopping for astrophotography gear, you can use my affiliate links:
◦ You can use my referral code when buying subscriptions to Astrobin:
Existing accounts- Use Promo Code: NEBULAPHOTOS

=============================
Social:
=============================
Twitter: @nebulaphotos
Instagram: @nebulaphotosdotcom

=============================
Affiliate programs disclosure:
=============================

[rhmagalhaes]

Before the video starts let me say: Thank you. This is exactly what I wanted to know and finally can make a decision about what to buy to have my kids enjoy our clear skies. Now, let me go back to the video. 👍👍👍

[aloharay]

I completely agree that there is a quality gain to be had with a large aperture reflector, but at what cost? Not only in terms of financial cost, but also size, weight, complexity, time and effort. After many years of experimenting and $$ spent, I finally settled in at the convenience of a modest 4" refractor OTA. That hit the right spot for me to lower the mount and tripod requirements and wind issues compared to larger aperture sizes. Ultimately the BEST telescope for me is the one I want to use most often. A simpler, lightweight setup that does not require work to start using means I use it more. Find what works for you. Enjoy the journey. Cheers.

[EleanorPeterson]

I live in the north of England and get perhaps 10 days of adequate seeing in a year. (Yes really.)

I've got no cash; the best thing I ever did was not buy a telescope! I spent years making mirrors up to 18" and objectives up to 6", but gradually realised that astronomy, for me, was going to be something best carried out vicariously.

I really do get more pleasure from watching videos of other people pursuing my beloved hobby than from trying to do it myself. When the light-pollution's bad, the rain's pouring, the north wind's howling straight down from the Arctic, and the sky is grey, grey, grey, it's wonderful to be able to snuggle up with a mug of cocoa and a Channel like this and tell Mother Nature to go away - I'm busy! 😁

[Neanderthal]

Great video! I have both and I like each (Newt vs Refractor) for their own versatility.
I'd like to add some info, just coming from my own experience. Astrophotography is not easy, there is a learning curve. Even with the best equipment out there, it can be tough. I recommend any newbies to this hobby to get at least 1 year of warranty or longer to their equipment when they purchase, don't be like me, stuck with an expensive gear with a defect and no way to return it. Please read on..
Here comes my complaint. Astrophotography is tough on its own, It's even a lot tougher and even become a hobby killer, if the equipment has faults, like manufacturing defects and just equipment that should have not made it through quality control.
I have started with with a telescope of a brand name, that I was recommended by many (not mentioned in your video), and I just couldn't produce good images, no matter what. Being a newbie, of course I'm looking myself and what I do and try to find the what I'm doing wrong, but with plenty of info on the web and asking others with the same hobby, it turned out that the telescope had pinched optics and even the flattener produces tilt in the images, when many people would be mad enough to throw the scope in the attic and say what a waste of money!
Of course, you won't discover this 4-5 months after owning the scope and there is no way to return it! And it's even worse, when you reach out to the manufacturer and get no answer or just tells to "buy another telescope". (And I did, but not from the same brand).
So I also urge people if they can't figure out why their images not turning out good as they should be, ASK. Go on Cloudy Nights forums, sign up to Facebook groups and so on.
So just my 2 cents and just my intention to warn anyone entering this hobby, please make sure you get yourself a longer period to return the product or even up to 1 year or more warranty, you do not want to stuck with a telescope that costs $600, and unable to figure out if it's lack of experience or actually the equipment is bad! It can be just a very very expensive paper weight and hobby killing experience!

[GabrielCarrara]

Nico is the best! 100% approval, all information you need, step by step and a lot of passion for astrophotography 🌟

[stefandietmann]

My current "scope" is the Canon 400mm 5.6l lens. Not expensive when bought used and a very good controlled aberrations.

[richiewitkowski]

I always love the star spikes newtonians make from the secondary mirror bracket

Even in visual astronomy it looks really cool when looking at super bright stars or even the planets

[Peter.A-A]

@nebula photos Thanks for being a inspiration to me and my son(12yo), My son just bought a Celestron 130EQ Skymaster used for $200. We gonna pick it up tomorrow. The last 3 hours he´s been looking trough a lot of your videos 🙂, as he just told me " Dad, I need to be prepared". 😀❤

[astrogeekman]

I went ahead and pulled the trigger on the Svbony SV50370ed + the reducer, and it's fantastic. Crisp and sharp and promised. Works perfect on the Eqm35 Pro with my T6 Canon. Best bang for the buck.

[robertdewar]

Dont forget. if you are on a budget to look out second hand gear. I got a SkyWatcher AZ-EQ6 for £1000, Celestron C8 for £250 and a Canon 550D with 892 (like new) shutter count for £144. This is well below new prices, but great for a beginner like me to potter around with.

[eottoe]

Just have to say, I like the optics of reflector telescopes over refactors, however, dealing with the balance problems is a bear if one is using a Nikon or Canon camera. Mounts are important but being able to put the camera on the back end is a big help in setting up and viewing. This was an A+ video. Thank you.

[pixuqsn]

I own the SV48 and have used it for astrophotography with good success. The SVBONY SV193 Focal Reducer works great with this scope and I get pin point stars at the corners. Couple this scope with a 495 long pass filter and for the money it is hard to beat for the price. Good review.

[CuivTheLazyGeek]

Excellent summary Nico! Plus great comparison image. I would add one additional tip for Newtonians if you are imaging with a lot of city lights around you: most Newts have big light leaks from the primary mirror - so a DIY butt cover can make a huge difference!
Also for collimation, some lasers can lead to miscollimation, if the laser itself has issues. To avoid that problem, a Barlowed laser technique works excellently (cheap laser plus cheap Barlow). My favorite though is the humble Cheshire :-)

[andywray]

I would echo your comment about a budget Newtonian being a great way to start and still have all the upgrade capability. My wife bought me a Skywatcher 200 PDS and HEQ5 Pro as a "big birthday" present. I learned how to attach my old mirrorless camera to it initially (Sony NEX5N) and started my astrophotography journey. Added a Coma corrector, then an orion autoguider and most recently a mono camera(ASI1600MM), filter wheel for narrowband and ZWO autofocuser. Software control was a big upgrade and in my case this was ASCOM, PHD2, Sharpcap (for polar alignment) and APT. Bottom line: the OTA (or scope as you call it) has kept up with my journey and the photos I can take now are ten times better than when I first started. The mount may be struggling a bit now with all the extra weight, so that is what I will probably upgrade next. Bottom line: a good budget "Newt" is more than enough for anyone's first few years in astrophotography.

[Drat]

reflector is quite easy to use after a while and some knowledge, I also like refractor because I live on the hill so there is a nice view during day and I can watch birds, squirles etc. in a distance and is good for traveling
my opinion: heavy reflector for night sky events around house
light refractor for everything wherver whenever

[volvotl]

To save on the flattener, and add funds to the mount, you can use software to correct the image. GIMP can do this and when you get it right, save for a one click fix. It will barrel the image and crop, so you do lose a little bit. With the achromat, the fringing can be reduced by reducing the aperture with a mask. Even a small step from F5 down to f5.6 can make a huge difference. Did this on an F5 refractor.

[michaeledmonds]

Superb! so much for taking the time to make this video.

[chrzanik]

I binge on your content more than any Netflix series Nico 👍👍👍😂

[mfaison]

Hey, I just bought a used version of that reflector.
I am so happy to hear the correct pronunciation of "SVBONY".

[gary]

The refractor wins usually aperture to aperture wise but for widefield imaging it wins hands down. A fast Newtonian is great also for imaging but you will have to do some diy like a well made spider, oversized secondary and a very low profile focuser. You can buy a newt optimised for imaging but will cost much more. Both will need coma/flatteners.but If I was starting out as a beginner I would go with a nice little refractor 70-80mm. Keep it simple then work your way up.