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Had to choose between a $200 scope and a $600 one for my first astrophotography rig. Went with the cheap one.
Honestly, I figured if I screwed up the learning curve I'd rather waste $200 than $600. Took 3 nights to get a halfway decent shot of the Orion Nebula but somehow it came out clear enough to make me glad I didn't splurge early. Anyone else start with budget gear and feel like it paid off?
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tyler_bell3mo ago
Cheap gear teaches you more than expensive gear does. Bought a beat up Celestron from a pawn shop for $150 five years ago. Took me months to figure out collimation and why my star shots looked like jellyfish. That frustration paid off when I finally saved for better equipment and actually knew how to use it. You don't need a fancy mount to learn tracking or a perfect scope to understand focus. Your shot of Orion is proof enough that money doesn't buy skill.
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king.stella3mo ago
Man I used to be all about saving up for the fancy stuff first, but hearing this honestly shifted my whole view. Maybe having to fight with cheap gear really does teach you more in the long run.
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