One People, One Sky

Confusion and It's not Circle

I'm almost set to get a black Pentax K-r - white looks like a toy :P
Browsing the Pentax forum, I was made aware that a successor of the K-r is already on the way. My worry is that the successor could have a new and better sensor and is compatible with the O-GPS1 O_o

Stopped me in my tracks o_O

The Pentax O-GPS1

old school browsing \m/

from 17yrs ago. still very useful and packs lots of info.

Mount Evolution

Been searching for a German Equatorial Mount for a scope.
Here's the mounts that I wanted to get based on size and prize:

First was the Orion SkyView Pro selling for USD399

but it didn't really look it can carry heavier scope so I looked further at something sturdier and upgradeable with automatic tracking which led me to
the Vixen GP2 which sells for USD696:

The R.A. Declination motor drive is available for USD179:

Now it's getting bigger and heavier so I searched some more and was surprised to find something 'smaller' and looks less complicated and easier to setup:
The AstroTrac which sells for USD700++

I was already set to order this when I encountered another good candidate from a well known GEQ maker:
The Losmandy StarLapse selling for USD695

So after thinking about it and almost ordering the AstroTrac,
I encountered the Pentax O-GPS1 with the AstroTracer function which really was a surprise.

I never really expected to see something from a camera maker that will help people with their astrophotography not to mention a revolutionary approach to imaging celestial bodies.
And the best part:
First, it doesn't require expensive GEQ mounts
Second, it's so small and
Third, it's so affordable!

The Pentax O-GPS1 is selling for ~USD250.

It works with the Pentax K-5 and K-r. Hoping to get a pair soon :)

feudal japan

Aperture Rules

I just hope it does :D

The Explore Scientific AR102 f/6.5 Doublet Achromat Refractor
With a focal equivalent of 663mm and aperture of f/6.5.

Astro Photographic Expletives

Visit the Cosmic Bug's site so you'll know what I mean :D

The Fast and the Curious

Was googling for scopes and optics and found a 1500/3.5.

Yup, you read it right.

But we all know fast aperture costs and not to mention the focal length!

This one will cost you USD32,950 :P