Discussion on:

(Gazing at a DIY Dobsonian telescope (photos))

Would have been made with brass and mahogany.

Different, but I think that I would have incorporated a digital photo device first... An interesting project though.

Nice to have photos of the telescope, but what about pictures of planets, nebulae and other objects to show the quality of the optics?

Dobsonian telescopes excel for visual observing, but aren't good for photography. The serious astrophotographers use high-quality, relatively small refractors on massive steel/aluminum, motor-driven, computer-guided mounts, with purpose-built CCD cameras and bundles of cables. Their observing sessions are spent seated at a table staring at a laptop screen. Which is fine, but a completely different experience from visual observing the original photons from a galaxy millions of light-years away with a hand-guided, hand-made dobsonian.

What is remarkable about the featured instrument is its relatively long for a dob (f7.1) focal ratio, which makes it really long but should give exquisite views at relatively high powers.

"Maker Smith plans to add automation functions to his telescope so he can do some astrophotography."

I have seen pictures taken with unguided telescopes using digital SLR cameras. The moon is so bright that a snapshot is appropriate.

Do you see what I see? No, because no one took a pic of it.