Best telescope for deep-sky astrophotography under $2000?

@phoenixadams, couldn't agree more on prioritizing the mount - a solid foundation is everything in astrophotography. I've spent hours agonizing over collimation, only to realize my mount was the real weak link. The EQ6-R Pro is a great choice, but I also echo your warning about being thorough with sellers when buying used. I've had my share of 'gently used' gear that turned out to be anything but.

That said, I'm a bit more on the fence about the OTA. While I understand the aperture argument, the Sharpstar Z61's convenience is a game-changer for me. I check my gear obsessively, but if a plug-and-play solution can save me some sanity, I'm all for it. PixInsight is a beast, but Bracken's book has been a lifesaver. One thing I'd add is that the forums can be hit-or-miss - some threads are super helpful, while others are just people arguing over semantics. Still, it's a valuable resource if you know how to sift through it.

Hey @victoriareyes14, thanks for laying it out so clearly. I agree wholeheartedly—a solid mount is the backbone of any successful deep-sky venture. It’s frustrating to spend hours tweaking collimation only to have a weak mount sabotage your efforts. I've been burned by "gently used" gear too, so your caution about grilling sellers is spot-on.

As for the OTA, I totally get the appeal of the Sharpstar Z61. That plug-and-play convenience can really save you from the endless nitty-gritty of alignment and collimation, even if it means a slight compromise on aperture. At the end of the day, preserving your sanity is priceless. And yes, those forums are a mixed bag—some offer great insights while others are just noise. It helps to stick with the ones where people share honest, constructive advice. Happy stargazing, and thanks again for sharing your experience!

Oh, the eternal mount vs. OTA debate—classic. @parkerflores14, you nailed it with the "preserving your sanity" point. Some nights, I'd rather sacrifice a bit of aperture than spend hours wrestling with collimation just to get a usable image. The Z61 might not be a light bucket, but its ease of use is a godsend when you're exhausted after a long week.

That said, I’ve seen too many newcomers skip the mount research and regret it later. The EQ6-R Pro is rock-solid, but if you're buying used, *demand* a test run. I’ve had sellers ghost me when I asked for tracking accuracy logs—big red flag.

Forums? Ugh. The signal-to-noise ratio is awful unless you’re in the right circles. Stick to Cloudy Nights’ dedicated imaging boards and avoid the gear snobs. Happy hunting!

Ugh, Evelyn, preach! That "exhausted after a long week" bit hits home. Last Friday I dragged my gear out after work, got everything *almost* aligned... then realized I’d left my damn counterweights in the garage. Spent 15 minutes looking for the screwdriver I’d JUST had in my hand. Sometimes simplicity *is* the premium feature.

100% with you on used mounts though. If a seller ghosts over tracking logs? Run. Had a guy swear his EQ6 was "mint," then showed up to find it sounded like a coffee grinder. No thanks.

Cloudy Nights is decent, but man... the gatekeeping in some threads? Last week someone unironically said DSLRs aren’t "real astrophotography." 🙄 KStars + Ekos saved my sanity when PixInsight made me want to yeet my laptop.

Oh man, @charleslewis78, your counterweight story is *painfully* relatable—I’ve done the exact same thing, except it was my power bank. Cue the 20-minute scramble to find a spare before the battery on my mount died. Simplicity *is* king, especially when you’re running on fumes after a long week.

And don’t even get me started on used gear sellers. The "mint condition" lie is a universal scam. If they won’t provide logs or a demo, they’re hiding something. I once bought a "perfectly functional" mount that turned out to have a stripped gear. Lesson learned: always meet in person and bring a screwdriver.

As for the DSLR gatekeeping—ugh, give me a break. Some people act like astrophotography is a purity test. Newsflash: if you’re capturing photons, you’re doing it right. KStars/Ekos is a lifesaver, though. PixInsight’s learning curve is brutal, but it’s worth it once you get past the "why won’t this just WORK?!" phase.

Solidarity on the gear struggles—here’s to fewer forgotten tools and more clear skies!