Telescope Reviews: Manufactures of good long focaL length refractors

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Equipment Discussions >> Classic Telescopes

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starman876
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 04/28/08

Loc: VA

Re: Manufactures of good long focaL length refractors new

new

[Re: bremms]
#5655069 - 01/31/13 08:58 PM

I remember that Hands on Optics were selling some Vixen Spec lenses

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starman876
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 04/28/08

Loc: VA

Re: Manufactures of good long focaL length refractors new

new

[Re: bremms]
#5655093 - 01/31/13 09:13 PM

http://www.khanscope.com/productdetails.cfm?productID=1969

looks like antares is still available outside the USA

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Joe Cepleur
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 03/18/10

Loc: Dark North Woods

Re: Manufactures of good long focaL length refractors new

new

[Re: starman876]
#5655308 - 01/31/13 11:27 PM

Quote:

we are going to get slammed soon for being out of context for not talking about classic telescopes.

Maybe not. You're lamenting the lack of new scopes built to classic standards, and trying to find a solution. The fact is that not everyone can find or afford a 4" Unitron, but many of us aspire at least to the optically equivalent experience.

Long-focus scopes are way under-appreciated. Their views are prettier at lower cost, they hold focus better in compromised air, and they are happy with simple, inexpensive eyepieces. If you can find a modern solution to the problem of the world's limited supply of classics, more power to you. "Classic" as a set of optics and a state of mind is valuable in itself, even if the scope is new and the label won't read "Nippon Kogaku."

Cost is a legitimate concern. Skylight Telescopes are perfect, but beyond many budgets. S&T published a glowing review of that scope from Hands-On Optics, emphasizing that the price was not a misprint.

This is, incidentally, why I jumped at the chance to buy my Tasco 7TE-5 recently. I understand that 60mm of aperture won't show me everything I could possibly want to see, yet I anticipate that what it reveals will be shown with exquisite beauty.

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neotesla
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 11/18/10

Loc: Canada

Re: Manufactures of good long focaL length refractors new

new

[Re: starman876]
#5655767 - 02/01/13 08:23 AM

Quote:

http://www.khanscope.com/productdetails.cfm?productID=1969

looks like antares is still available outside the USA

Khanscope does not have the best reputation... Check out the message on the Skylight telescope site for an example.

http://skylight.myshopify.com/

As well I contacted them about a year ago about these and they had no stock if I remember.

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terraclarke
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/29/12

Loc: Over the river and thru the wo...

Re: Manufactures of good long focaL length refractors new

new

[Re: starman876]
#5656005 - 02/01/13 10:16 AM Attachment (27 downloads)

There you go. I love my AT 102. It's a great scope, optically and mechanically. At F11 it definitely has the look and feel of a classic and performs like one too, with the exception of modern features like the dual speed 2 inch focuser. So at the risk of having this post pulled for being off topic, here's a picture.

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nightfisher
super member

Reged: 11/06/11

Loc: Huddersfield UK

Re: Manufactures of good long focaL length refractors new

new

[Re: terraclarke]
#5656663 - 02/01/13 04:13 PM

Just a word of warning regards long focal length fracs, i have an Antares 105 f15 and it is hard on mounts, as a result i dont plan on keeping it, and cant find a buyer for it here in the UK, seems every one wants shorter apo`s

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Pete-LH
sage

Reged: 03/25/09

Loc: Wilmington, DE

Re: Manufactures of good long focaL length refractors new

new

[Re: Bart]
#5656850 - 02/01/13 05:49 PM Attachment (23 downloads)

Actually the D&G 5" f/12 or f/15 price is not so unreasonable ... but the wait is long.
Another route for 4" is to buy a Carton 100mm f/13 lens from S. Favorski and have a refractor constructed by Dan Crawford(same as the maker of the Crawford focuser mentioned above). He does very good work at a reasonable price and is pretty good with respect to timing as well.

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=classics&a...,,All_Forums,,&Words=&Searchpage=1&Limit=25&Main=5489833&Search=true&where=&Name=71159&daterange=&newerval=&newertype=&olderval=&oldertype=&bodyprev=#Post5497390

You can find a description in the Yahoo Carton group as well. Here is a pic of mine:

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iluxo
sage

Reged: 09/23/08

One in UK... new

new

[Re: bremms]
#5657603 - 02/02/13 05:49 AM

There is this http://skylight.myshopify.com/collections/frontpage/products/the-skylight-6

Whether production will resume is an interesting question ...

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bremms
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 08/31/12

Loc: SC

Re: One in UK... new

new

[Re: iluxo]
#5657749 - 02/02/13 09:18 AM

Nice, but still 3x the cost of a D&G 6" and you can't get one rigth now. Not too hard to find a used D&G.

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ukcanuck
Vendor (Skylight Telescopes)

Reged: 11/07/06

Loc: London, UK

Re: One in UK... new

new

[Re: iluxo]
#5658377 - 02/02/13 03:38 PM

Quote:

There is this http://skylight.myshopify.com/collections/frontpage/products/the-skylight-6

Whether production will resume is an interesting question ...

There are no production run plans for the Skylight 6, I build them to order only.

The previously mentioned Carton 100/1300's from Sheldon are a good place to start looking for a long refractor. I understood that Sheldon had now sold out (although I could be wrong), but he must have sold quite a few of these objectives over the last two years.

So, it would be worth watching the CN Classifieds to see if any turn up (I guess Astromart would be worth watching too if you can).

Maybe even try a Wanted ad...who knows what you might turn up?

Regarding mounting, I test all my long refractors under 4" on a beaten up Meade LXD55 eq (converted to manual only...no motors). Not 'rock solid'...but perfectly capable. I can deal with some movement at the eyepiece and am in no rush.

Long refractors reward the patient...

Edited by ukcanuck (02/02/13 08:25 PM)

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Bill Friend
member

Reged: 02/16/12

Loc: Southern Maine

Re: One in UK... new

new

[Re: ukcanuck]
#5659546 - 02/03/13 09:06 AM

Richard,

Is the Skylight 60mm/F15 still available? If not, are you planning to build more in the future?

Cheers,
Bill

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Bill Friend
member

Reged: 02/16/12

Loc: Southern Maine

Re: Manufactures of good long focaL length refractors new

new

[Re: Bart]
#5659554 - 02/03/13 09:12 AM

Bart,

Edmund Optics still offers long FL objectives, albeit pricey compared to what you'll find at Surplus Shed. Rumor has it Edmund lenses are fabricated in Taiwan.

http://www.edmundoptics.com/optics/optical-lenses/achromatic-lenses/large-pre...

Cheers,
Bill

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Bart
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 05/28/06

Loc: Somewhere near Charlottesville...

Re: Manufactures of good long focaL length refractors new

new

[Re: Bill Friend]
#5659564 - 02/03/13 09:19 AM

Where do I begin figuring out what type of lens I should buy?

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ukcanuck
Vendor (Skylight Telescopes)

Reged: 11/07/06

Loc: London, UK

Re: One in UK... new

new

[Re: Bill Friend]
#5660018 - 02/03/13 01:40 PM

Quote:

Richard,

Is the Skylight 60mm/F15 still available? If not, are you planning to build more in the future?

Cheers,
Bill

Hi Bill, I've sent you a pm.

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Bill Friend
member

Reged: 02/16/12

Loc: Southern Maine

Re: Manufactures of good long focaL length refractors new

new

[Re: Bart]
#5660022 - 02/03/13 01:41 PM

Bart,

I think you have to consider the pros and cons of the lens figure/focal length and how you plan to use it. The better the lens figure, the more it will cost. The longer the FL and better color correction, the less portable it will be and the larger mount required. How do you plan to use it? For a quick peeks at the moon and planets you'll want something that's portable w/minimal cool down period (smaller aperture).

Portability is somewhat subjective. One persons 1000mm handy scope is another persons 40" stick that bumps into everything on the way out to the backyard.

Of course budget is another factor that ultimately decides what you can buy.

Cheers,
Bill

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nightfisher
super member

Reged: 11/06/11

Loc: Huddersfield UK

Re: Manufactures of good long focaL length refractors new

new

[Re: Bill Friend]
#5660143 - 02/03/13 02:53 PM

Im getting tempted to source an ISTAR 103mm f1200 and drop it into the antares with a crop to the tube, this would get rid of the lens with the chip, and shorten it into a more useful scope

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Mirzam
Post Laureate

Reged: 04/01/08

Loc: Lovettsville, VA

Re: Manufactures of good long focaL length refractors new

new

[Re: nightfisher]
#5660291 - 02/03/13 04:24 PM

You could set it up for binoviewing at the same time when shortening the tube.

JimC

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terraclarke
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/29/12

Loc: Over the river and thru the wo...

Re: Manufactures of good long focaL length refractors new

new

[Re: nightfisher]
#5660292 - 02/03/13 04:25 PM

Why not a Jaegers 103mm x 1575mm F15 air spaced achromat. They are very good lenses. Surplus Shed was selling them but recently sold out, however if you placed a want add you could probably find one.

Terra

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starman876
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 04/28/08

Loc: VA

Re: Manufactures of good long focaL length refractors new

new

[Re: bremms]
#5664366 - 02/05/13 09:41 PM

http://www.buytelescopes.com/Products/30652-stellarvue-sv102ae-25sv-f11-plane...

here you go hurry if you want one

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mikebb
newbie

Reged: 10/28/12

Loc: Baton Rouge, LA

Re: Manufactures of good long focaL length refractors [Re: starman876]
#5664790 - 02/06/13 08:23 AM

Except for the 2.5" focuser, this Stellavue scope looks very much like the ones being sold by AstroTelescope(599) or Canadian Telescopes(499). Web search for more info.

Mike B

Edited by mikebb (02/06/13 08:25 AM)

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