Reddit reviews Meade Instruments 0810-90-03 LX90-ACF 8-Inch (f/10) Advanced Coma-Free Telescope

If you would like to see a comparison of an image taken with a camera 10x the price, here is a comparison of an image I took of the moon with the same telescope and a 7D Mark II

There are a few things that could have been done differently to achieve a better image on the left, however, I was looking to capture the image using the same techniques. Additionally, the main method to achieve a better image with the 7D Mark II requires third party software that isn't free so I wanted to get just a comparison with an out of box 7D Mark II.

I should also note that the ASI120MC is made for photography like this, the 7D Mark II is not. For deep space photography, the DSLR would win 9 times out of 10. Just mainly a comparison to show that the most expensive camera is not always the best tool for the job.

Equipment:

• Meade LX80 8" ACF (purchased for $250)
  
  
• ZWO ASI120MC (purchased for $150)
  
  Acquisition
  
  
• 1000 frames (2x500 frames, image is two panels stitched together) at 1280x968 @ 13 fps
  
  Processing
  
  
• PIPP to stabilize and convert
  
  
• AS!2 to stack the frames (75% for both)
  
  
• PixInsight for decon (RL regularized using artificial PSF)
  
  
• Unsharp Mask
  
  
• Local Histogram Equalization
  
  
• Curves
  
  Thanks for looking!
  
  If you feel like looking at some of my other images or following me on social media, here is a shameless plug to my Instagram

They said elsewhere the total cost they put into it is actually about $400

Edit: and it was that low because they got this telescope for $250. Its a great picture with a very misleading title.

https://www.amazon.com/Meade-Instruments-Coma-Free-Telescope-0810-90-03/dp/B002AK4N74

And adds a link to basically a $2k telescope he/she bought for $250 with no indication how

Grabbing "meade-8inch-lx90-acf-computerized-telescope" from his URL, this is what I find https://www.amazon.com/Meade-Instruments-0810-90-03-Coma-Free-Telescope/dp/B002AK4N74

Looks like a Meade lx90 series.

http://www.amazon.com/Meade-LX90-ACF-Advanced-Coma-Free-Telescope/dp/B002AK4N74

Alternate telescope link based on busted link. Looks like the 8 inch one is ~$1800.