Best telescope for deep-sky astrophotography under $2000?

Hey Henry! That EQ6-R Pro is a beast—I used to have one and it handled weight like a champ. But with your $2k budget, its $1,500 price tag leaves you slim room for an OTA. For deep-sky, aperture matters, but don’t sleep on speed. A used 6" f/4 imaging Newtonian could fit your budget (like Orion or Sky-Watcher’s models). They’re light, fast, and punch way above their weight with a coma corrector.

If you’re comfy with collimation, it’s killer value. Otherwise, stretch for a small apo like the Zenithstar 61—slower but zero hassle. Skip the mount debate unless you find an HEQ5 Pro used; same guts as EQ6-R but lighter and cheaper. Pair either with a guide scope/cam later.

*Side rant:* Processing is half the battle—save $100 for PixInsight!

Audrey's spot-on about the EQ6-R Pro—it's a tank but eats up most of your budget. If you're set on it, I'd scour classifieds for a used one to free up cash for optics. Personally, I'd lean toward a fast reflector like the Sky-Watcher 150PDS—f/5 and under $400 leaves room for a coma corrector *and* a decent guide cam.

But here's the thing: mounts matter more than OTAs in AP. A shaky mount ruins everything. If buying new, I'd actually downgrade to an HEQ5 (~$1,100) and grab a Sharpstar 61EDPH II ($600). Slower f/4.5, but way more portable and forgiving for beginners.

*Hot take:* Skip the "aperture fever." My best shots came from a measly 72mm refractor because I nailed polar alignment and guiding. Spend the leftover $$$ on a *good* autoguider.

Honestly, I love how this thread’s hitting the right balance between aperture and mount quality. The EQ6-R Pro is solid, but Sterling nailed it—don’t let it eat your whole budget unless you’re planning to upgrade the OTA later. A used one could be a smart move if you’re patient.

For deep-sky, I’d lean toward a fast reflector like the 150PDS too—it’s a steal for the performance, even with collimation being a slight hassle. But if you’re like me and hate fiddling with alignment constantly, the Zenithstar 61 or Sharpstar 61EDPH II are fantastic "set it and forget it" options. Slower, yeah, but way less stress.

And can we talk about guiding? A decent guide cam (like the ASI120MM) makes *such* a difference. Skimping there is like buying a sports car and putting bald tires on it.

Side note: Agree with Audrey—budget for processing software. PixInsight’s learning curve is brutal, but it’s worth every penny.

(Also, aperture fever is real. My first deep-sky shot with a tiny refractor shocked me—sometimes less really is more.)

Okay Henry, I'm chiming in late but gotta echo a lot of the wisdom here while adding my dreamer twist (I blame staring at nebulas too long!).

That EQ6-R Pro *is* a fantastic mount – a proper workhorse. But Audrey and Sterling are dead right: $1500 new leaves you gasping for OTA/accessory cash. **Scour AstroMart or Cloudy Nights classifieds right now for a used one!** You can easily find one for $1100-$1200 in good shape, freeing up precious $$. Patience pays off.

For deep-sky under budget, the **Sky-Watcher 150PDS ($300-$400)** is *incredible* value. f/5 is fast, captures photons greedily. Yes, collimation takes practice, but it's like learning a secret spell – once you master it, the universe opens up! Pair it with a solid coma corrector (like the Baader MPCC MkIII, ~$200). This combo punches WAY above its weight.

BUT... if the thought of collimating makes you want to hide under a blanket, the **Sharpstar 61EDPH II or Z61** are fantastic "grab n' go" options. Yes, slower f/ratio means longer exposures, but they’re so forgiving and portable. Alexandra's point about stress is real – enjoying the process matters!

**Non-negotiable:** **DON'T skip guiding.** Trying deep-sky AP without an autoguider (like an ASI120MM Mini + 50mm scope) is like trying to paint the Mona Lisa on a speeding bus. Use some of that saved mount money here. It’s the bedrock.

And *please* listen to Audrey & Alex: **Budget $250-$300 for PixInsight.** Free trials exist, but biting the bullet early saves headaches. It’s pure magic for pulling detail from the void. Your future self will thank you.

Aperture fever is seductive, but Sterling’s "measly 72mm refractor" point? 100% true. My best Orion Nebula shot came from a similar setup with *rock-solid* tracking/guiding. Stability > raw size, especially starting out. Invest in the foundation (mount + guiding) first!

Good luck chasing those photons! Clear skies! ✨🔭

Frankie, your passion's contagious even through text - those nebula-induced dreamer twists are spot on! Totally second the used EQ6-R Pro hunt. Found mine on Cloudy Nights for $1150 last spring (saved enough for a Bahtinov mask AND fancy coffee beans to fuel those long nights).

That said, the 150PDS recommendation gives me pause. Yes, it's a photon beast, but Henry should know collimation before dawn when you're half-asleep feels like solving a Rubik's Cube blindfolded. Your Sharpstar compromise is wise - my Z61 still delivers jaw-dropping shots of Orion with minimal fuss.

**Hard agree on the non-negotiables:** Skipping guiding is AP suicide, and PixInsight? Worth every tear shed learning it. Saw more detail in my Andromeda shot after processing than through my eyepiece! Sterling's "measly 72mm" example proves the point: my Sharpstar on an HEQ5 outperformed a buddy's 8" scope on a wobbly mount.

Priority order for Henry: 1) Solid used mount 2) Guiding rig 3) OTA you'll actually *use* 4) PixInsight. Compromise on aperture now, upgrade later. Clear skies!

Thanks for the detailed input! The collimation point on the 150PDS is a real concern—I’ve had my share of frustrating nights with my current setup, so I’ll take that to heart. The Sharpstar Z61 sounds like a solid compromise, especially if it delivers with less hassle. I’ll prioritize the mount first (hunting for that EQ6-R Pro deal) and build from there. PixInsight is already on my list, but I’ll brace myself for the learning curve. Appreciate the clear priority order—this helps a lot.

Oh man, collimation can be such a pain—I’ve had nights where I swear the stars were laughing at me while I fumbled with the screws! The Sharpstar Z61 is a great call if you want to skip that headache. It’s not just about the hassle; it’s about actually enjoying the process instead of fighting your gear.

That said, don’t sleep on the used market for the EQ6-R Pro. I snagged mine from a guy who upgraded to a Mach1, and it was practically mint. People get obsessed with the latest tech and offload perfectly good gear for a steal. Just make sure to test it thoroughly—nothing worse than a mount with a hidden gremlin.

And PixInsight? Yeah, it’s a beast to learn, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll feel like a wizard. Start with the basics—don’t try to master everything at once. Also, if you’re into books, *The Deep-Sky Imaging Primer* by Charles Bracken is a lifesaver. Not as dry as some other guides, and it’ll save you hours of trial and error.

Keep us posted on what you end up with! And if you find a killer deal on that mount, don’t hesitate—good gear moves fast.

Totally agree with you, @stellaramos84, collimation can be a real pain, especially when you're trying to capture those faint deep-sky objects. The Sharpstar Z61 is a great option for minimizing that headache. I've had a similar experience with my own gear - the last thing you want is to be wrestling with screws while the stars are shining bright.

I've also had luck on the used market, and that EQ6-R Pro is a solid mount if you can find a good deal. Testing it thoroughly is key; don't be afraid to ask the seller lots of questions. As for PixInsight, I second your recommendation - it's a powerful tool, but definitely takes time to master. *The Deep-Sky Imaging Primer* is a great resource; I've got a copy and it's been a lifesaver on more than one occasion. One more tip: the PixInsight forums are super helpful if you're stuck on something specific. Looking forward to hearing what @henryjimenez61 ends up choosing!

@henryjimenez61 Forget collimation drama for a sec - *mount first*, period. That EQ6-R Pro hunt? Smart. Don't cheap out there. Sawyers and Stellar are right about used deals, but grill sellers like it’s an interrogation. Hidden backlash or stripped gears will ruin you.

Sharpstar Z61 is fine if you want plug-and-play, but honestly? You’re sacrificing aperture for convenience. A 150PDS gives way more bang for buck if you can handle collimation. Yeah, it’s annoying, but so is wishing you caught more photons.

PixInsight’s non-negotiable though. Bracken’s book helps, but brace for pain. Those forums? Lifesavers, but sift through the ego trips. Skip StarTools - it’s training wheels. Go hard or stay home.