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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2014 14:49:36 GMT
I have made the decision to dump my VRC6. Its a great scope, but too slow for my liking. Even with a .3x reducer its still not wide as I would like. Also the aggressive reduction causes other issues. Also my skies are horrible, and slow FR imaging is just too hard in bad light pollution. Also I would like to do so narrow band, and I'm already pushing my mounts limits on exposure. So now to the decision making! What should I get? Here are my candidates: 1: AT6IN - Imaging NEWT Cons: big bulky. Constant collimation concerns. Effected more by wind etc. Needs flattener/reducer Pros: Cheap 2: William Optics GTF81 81mm f/6.6 Apo Refractor with Built-In Flattener Cons: Cost Pros: to many to list (preferred OTA) 3: William Optics ZenithStar 71mm f/5.9 Doublet ED Refractor w/ Field Flattener Cons: Only Semi APO - Chromatic Aberrations Pros: Wide field, Not to expensive, Williams Optic Quality. I have almost ruled out an imaging reflector. I really am looking more at refractors. I really like the GTF for several reasons: 1. flat field, can use with any camera I have without external flatteners, adapters, etc. If anyone has opinions or other options, I am open to ideas. But I want a one shot deal. I do not want to buy 300 accessories to make it work. I want a flat field and a wide view. Preferably an APO 4-5 element flat field and 1000 dollars or cheaper. Hemmi
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Post by Dragon Man on May 7, 2014 15:57:35 GMT
I don't know anything about those 3 scopes Lee, so I can't help mate. But I can give another plug for the trusty Skywatcher ED80
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2014 16:14:19 GMT
I don't know anything about those 3 scopes Lee, so I can't help mate. But I can give another plug for the trusty Skywatcher ED80 I looked at the Skywatcher ED80, but its only a Doublet. Since I plan to image with it, in addition to mallincam, I wanted an APO. But if you can tell me I will not notice it, I'm open. I can get a skywatcher ED80 loaded out with rings, dovetail, etc for a decent price. But would have to include a field flattener to the price. I'm sure the skywatcher will excel with the mallincam. But how will it do for imaging? Hemmi
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Post by davy on May 7, 2014 17:00:50 GMT
Hi lee..I have the black diamond sw ed80 pro kit and it is a steal price wise its a brilliant wide field scope ok its a doublet ive never used a triplet soI cant say how better it is..the ed80 has the flatner/reducer or you can buy a flatner sseparate. .I dont use any reducer or flatner at all on my set up..scope I wont part with. .davy
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2014 17:59:53 GMT
A doublet would be a no brainer for visual or mallincam only, just because the price. But since I will be imaging also, I may not be happy with the color. But then again, I never owned a triplet. I have had a doublet before, but never really used it.
So I'm open to opinions. I would rather pay slightly more for more than I need, than buy a doublet and be dissapointed and back to square one.
But if someone who has experience with both tells me a doublet will be fine, than I will trust that. If the difference is only extremely minor for the most discriminating imagers, than I may not need a triplet. This is why I am asking the question!
The thing I like about the built in flattener is you can change cameras simply. No add on adapters to get dirty broke or lost. Just clamp the cam in the focuser and go.
Also Triplets seem to have a lower FR than doublets. However this slight FOV increase with a triplet is only minor.
I should prob ask this question on the imagers forum of cloudy nights, but I already know the answer if I ask there. Triplet will always be the answer there. But many here are ex-imagers that may not be as biased as the CN imager crew!
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2014 1:28:14 GMT
Hello Lee, If it's wide field then the Equinox Ed80 may be of interest. This image was taken with my Extreme on the Ed80 with no focal reducer to give you an idea. I can't remember the integration but I'm fairly sure it was 28 seconds.
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Post by Dragon Man on May 8, 2014 13:45:54 GMT
Lee, the ED80 (Skywatcher, Orion, Saxon etc, all the same brand made by Synta) is one of the original Astrophotography telescopes used for many years until the owners upgrade to more exotic expensive scopes (but some return to the ED80). I am one of those that returned to using an ED80 for Astrophotography because of it's ability to give a quality image. Even far better than my meade SN10 Astrograph! Here is a thread of some of my ED80 imaging using a canon 350d DSLR: www.singastro.org/forum2/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=6603and if that doesn't excite you, this should. It is a gallery of other peoples Astrophotography using an ED80: www.astrobin.com/gear/8040/sky-watcher-ed80-pro-black-diamond/Look at the beautiful fine detail. The ED80 is really a top imaging scope.
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2014 19:08:35 GMT
Lee, the ED80 (Skywatcher, Orion, Saxon etc, all the same brand made by Synta) is one of the original Astrophotography telescopes used for many years until the owners upgrade to more exotic expensive scopes (but some return to the ED80). I am one of those that returned to using an ED80 for Astrophotography because of it's ability to give a quality image. Even far better than my meade SN10 Astrograph! Here is a thread of some of my ED80 imaging using a canon 350d DSLR: www.singastro.org/forum2/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=6603and if that doesn't excite you, this should. It is a gallery of other peoples Astrophotography using an ED80: www.astrobin.com/gear/8040/sky-watcher-ed80-pro-black-diamond/Look at the beautiful fine detail. The ED80 is really a top imaging scope. If I was using a DSLR for imaging I would jump all over the ED80, but my imaging camera only has a 2/3" chip. So at f7.5 and a 2/3" without reducer is not that wide. This is why I'm looking at the 71mm f5.6 triplets Since I'm not familiar with refactors in general, I do not know how much reduction I can get with my ATIK 2/3" chip and the ED80 and maintain a flat field. Most available flatteners are only .8x. Most people use a large sensor imager such as SBIG or DSLR with these scopes. And with the mallincam tiny chips you can use heavy reduction such as .5x and maintain a flat field. I just want to make sure I get the best for my ATIK camera. Use with my mallincam is not really an issue, as I have more flexibility with it. I have seen a few .6x flattener/reducer in Europe, but nothing available here in the US. I just need to find a aggressive reducer/flattener combo that will work well with my camera. I have just not been happy with my setup as of late, I really miss the views of my 4.5" newt at f2.3. I could get m42/43 and the running man in the same view. The flame and the horsehead together etc. This is the view I was happy with! But the newt is a pain to keep collimated, bulky, cheap focuser, etc. The VRC6 is just not for me. I'm running it at about f3 and Its still not wide enough for my liking. the VR6 at f3 is ~456mm FL. And that is too much. The ED80 at f7.5 is a 600mm focal length (: , I'm going the wrong way..LOL. With a .5x reducer I bring that down to 300mm, which is perfect for the mallincam. But I can't use a .5x reducer with my imaging camera. Looking at the FOV calculators out there I want a FOV close to a 80mm f5 or a 71mm f6. Sorry for the long winded rant. Just want to make sure I'm happy with my choice. I'm starting to think I should have got a larger chip imager, but I really would like to use the cameras I have and find the best scope to go with them. And thanks for the links Ken! I will take your advise seriously! Hemmi
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Post by Rick in NWArk on May 9, 2014 1:41:01 GMT
Curveball: Keep VRC6, piggy AT65EDQ on top :-P
VRC6 for smaller FOV objects, the AT for all wider fields.
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2014 3:35:34 GMT
Curveball: Keep VRC6, piggy AT65EDQ on top :-P VRC6 for smaller FOV objects, the AT for all wider fields. I would but I'm already pushing the mount limits on weight
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2014 15:21:45 GMT
I have made up my mind finally And here is what I decided on. A Explorer Scientific ES80 ED triplet APO f6
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2014 15:36:20 GMT
I have made up my mind finally And here is what I decided on. A Explorer Scientific ES80 ED triplet APO f6 Oh yeah, now we're talking! Get two and send one over for Pete's sake!!!
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Post by Dragon Man on May 9, 2014 16:26:20 GMT
Niiiiiiice! That scope isn't even available in Australia. Only their 127mm f/7 model.
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Post by davy on May 9, 2014 18:29:52 GMT
Very very nice..went on nsn to catch your broadcast about an hour after you posted but nobody on..
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2014 19:48:22 GMT
Very very nice..went on nsn to catch your broadcast about an hour after you posted but nobody on.. Davy it was several hours after I posted Probably midnight on your side of the pond. Now with daylight savings its hard for you guys to catch the US broadcast.
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Post by Rick in NWArk on May 10, 2014 13:26:44 GMT
Hey Hemmi... ES is HQ'd where I live, and they are having a 20% off sale on May 12th (Astronomy day). At least they are in their show room.
You just cant appreciate a carbon fiber 152mm triplet APO until you see it in person. Wow!
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2014 17:07:11 GMT
My new OTA will be here tomorrow! And no clear skies in site..LOL
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Post by davy on May 15, 2014 19:53:33 GMT
Here's hoping lee..clear skies mate
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2014 20:30:00 GMT
its actually supposed to be clear tomorrow night, but I have to work...then clouds for the foreseeable future
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2014 11:40:19 GMT
Very nice mate!! Looking forward to seeing the results with this bad boy!
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