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Pages: 1 Michael Rapp Carpal Tunnel Reged: 04/27/04 Loc: Dickinson, TX Advantages of Lunt LST35 DX for casual imaging?       #4366648 - 02/05/11 11:33 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi all, I have found myself with just a tad less than $900 to spend on a Solar HA setup. I have a mount (LXD-75) and two cameras (SPC900NC and Canon 450D). I am, of course, looking at the PST and the Lundt LST35 (Deluxe Package). I understand that both scopes are visual instruments and that doing imaging, even casual imaging, is somewhat of a hack. Here are my questions: Will I notice the difference in brightness between the 40mm and 35mm objectives (visually? photographically?) The Lunt scope seems to have a narrower bandpass than the PST. How much of a difference, if any, will this make, either visually or photographically? Which scope has the better focuser? I know for the PST to reach focus with a webcam, one must use a barlow. Is eyepiece projection an option for either a webcam or DSLR? I know I'm getting myself into some potential frustration thinking of imaging with these scopes...my question is, just how much frustration. Edit: Of course, I seem to have completely skipped over the Lundt 60 mm scope, which is selling without accessories for $1,048, although it seems somewhat (very) backordered. Edited by Michael Rapp (02/05/11 11:54 PM) Post Extras:       Michael Rapp Carpal Tunnel Reged: 04/27/04 Loc: Dickinson, TX Re: Advantages of Lunt LST35 DX for casual imaging? [Re: Michael Rapp]       #4366794 - 02/06/11 01:48 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Seems I didn't do all that good of searching before I posted my questions! I just found Naturlich's post in which he includes two images from his new DMK41 camera coupled with the deluxe version of the LS35. I think I might be sold. Of course, the DMK41 is a far, far better camera (costs as much as the LS35!) than my SPC900NC, but it does show what is possible with the LS35. Post Extras:       earl@hapb.net professor emeritus Reged: 11/21/10 Loc: Garland, TX Re: Advantages of Lunt LST35 DX for casual imaging? [Re: Michael Rapp]       #4367085 - 02/06/11 09:47 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I use a PST with my DMK41 if you want to take a look at some images. http://www.hapb.net/Solar/images.html Post Extras:       Naturlich Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/30/09 Loc: Dukinfield, Cheshire, UK Re: Advantages of Lunt LST35 DX for casual imaging? [Re: Michael Rapp]       #4367091 - 02/06/11 09:50 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hey Michael, It's true to say that using an imaging cam will show a massive step up in image quality, up until now I've imaged with my SPC900, LPI and DSLR, so you can certainly image with what you have, and for viewing yourself the DX gives a nice wide FOV maknig it very comfortable to view through If you search my username for posts you should find some of my older pics taken with webcam and DSLR, but as a comparision I've posted a couple of pics below: DSLR full disk 1.25" nose piece 1.5x: http://i1005.photobucket.com/albums/af173/mod_Naturlich/forum%20small%20pics/16Nov10Promsmall.jpg Meade LPI 2x Barlow: http://i1005.photobucket.com/albums/af173/mod_Naturlich/forum%20small%20pics/Capture16_11_201011_44_45_pp.jpg SPC900 2x Barlow http://i1005.photobucket.com/albums/af173/mod_Naturlich/Sun131110spc.jpg SPC900 1.5x http://i1005.photobucket.com/albums/af173/mod_Naturlich/AR1124small.jpg DMK41 2x Barlow: http://i1005.photobucket.com/albums/af173/mod_Naturlich/forum%20small%20pics/AR11147210111.jpg Ofcourse, I've also been learning solar image processing along the way aswell, so I think some earlier pics could have been processed better, still, it shows that imaging isn't a problem, and is more down to equipment and processing skills. Nat It's a little difficult to give a comparision for you since I've not usd a PST, but I think Stephen Ramsdens review and comments from others that have used both puts the Lunt clearly ahead if you compaire them side by side, thats not to say the PST is a bad solar scope, only to say the LS35 DX is better. Edited by Naturlich (02/06/11 10:13 AM) Post Extras:       Michael Rapp Carpal Tunnel Reged: 04/27/04 Loc: Dickinson, TX Re: Advantages of Lunt LST35 DX for casual imaging? [Re: Naturlich]       #4367451 - 02/06/11 01:03 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Earl - thanks for the link. I like your signature of the earth with the magnifying glass! I've also bookmarked the your processing tutorials. Nat -- thanks for collecting your past imaging links for me. Wow, the resolution of the DMK41 is amazing. Yet, you clearly show shots that I would be more that satisfied with with the "lesser" cameras. I also found Steven's site after making my post and in his LS35 review compares it to a PST. In essentially every aspect, visually, mechanically, and optically it outperforms the PST. I am really cautiously excited about this scope. (Judging by some reviews of the scope, I think my caution is unwarranted.) When I was just starting out in astronomy in high school, my father got me a Thousand Oaks solar filter for my 8" scope for the 1991 partial eclipse. I was hooked. Every day after school I could see the changing sunspots. It was amazing. I also didn't have much time, with an early bedtime, for nighttime observing. (That I lived in Houston didn't help matters in any case.) My current workload and family commitments are precluding driving to a dark site or even setting up in the evenings. Heck, this scope is portable enough for me to take to work and use during my lunch hour! One question on using the scope visually: if I am understanding right, the image is that of a deep monochromatic crimson red. How would you characterize the dimmness or comfortableness of viewing? Post Extras:       Michael Rapp Carpal Tunnel Reged: 04/27/04 Loc: Dickinson, TX Re: Advantages of Lunt LST35 DX for casual imaging? [Re: Michael Rapp]       #4367515 - 02/06/11 01:30 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Follow up question for Nat -- for my SPC900NC I have the standard 1.25" nosepiece used for typical planetary imaging. What additional/replacement hardware, if any, so I need for that camera to achieve focus with the Lundt LS35? (I have a Shorty 2x barlow.) Post Extras:       Naturlich Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/30/09 Loc: Dukinfield, Cheshire, UK Re: Advantages of Lunt LST35 DX for casual imaging? [Re: Michael Rapp]       #4367517 - 02/06/11 01:31 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Dimmness? Not at all Michael The lunt gives a wonderfully bright image with great contrast, some very bright areas in the active regions seeming a bright yellow, to a crimson in the less active areas, you just have to tune the filter to what you want to view, but the view itself is in no way dim at all! Viewing with the LS35 Deluxe is a pleasure, the 10mm swa ep gives excellent full disk views, and with the extra fov and televue solsearcher it makes centering much easier. The sweet spot on the LS35 is quiet large so the usable viewing area through the EP is pretty large and the dropoff is hard to notice since the area your focusing on viewing is such a small part of the seet spot. Really I can't say enough about how totaly impressed I've been with mine since the day I got it. When you get used to tuning the etalon and your vision adjusts at the ep, the detail you'll see is stunning, especially for somthing that is smaller than my viewfinder! The only problem we seem to have come across is getting prime focus, there doesn't seem to be enough inward focus. Stephen says Lunt have said they've shortend the tube to solve this, yet mine is new from Lunt, and the problem isn't fixed at all. The way around this is to use a T adaptor and remove the helicle focuser and attach directly to the blocking filter. I have that for my DSLR but I need one for my DMK41, a c/cs to T adaptor, not expensive, just havent got it yet. That would allow full disk imaging with the DMK. You can also just unscrew the lens from a 2x barlow and screw it straight onto the nosepiece giving 1.5x Ofcourse the other side of the coin is that the DMK41 having such a large FOV doesn't give me magnified views even with a 2x barlow, more like 1/3 full disk (The spc views very narrow high mag images, you may want to use a 0.6 FR), so I'm considering getting a short 3x barlow and see how I get on with that, it may be too much for the 35mm apature, but I'll give it a shot all the same. In everything I do, I always look for the best bang for the buck, I got it spot on with the LS35 DX thats for sure, you will love it. Nat Post Extras:       Naturlich Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/30/09 Loc: Dukinfield, Cheshire, UK Re: Advantages of Lunt LST35 DX for casual imaging? [Re: Naturlich]       #4367526 - 02/06/11 01:37 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Additional for the SPC900: 0.6 focal reducer 2x barlow where the lens screw is the standard thread of eye pieces (my long 3x barlow has an odd thread, can't use it in the nosepiece) As mentioned above, the focal reducer so you can get wider views, the SCP is a narow FOV. 2x barlow for higher mag images of active regions and proms, also allowing you 1.5x by screwing the lens into your nosepiece. I'd say those 2 thing are all you need. Nat PS if you havent got AVIstack2, get it, it does a better job imho that registax for solar imaging. Post Extras:       Naturlich Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/30/09 Loc: Dukinfield, Cheshire, UK Re: Advantages of Lunt LST35 DX for casual imaging? [Re: Naturlich]       #4367532 - 02/06/11 01:38 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   now I've got myself wondering... did I actually use the 0.6 FR.. cause if you can't get prime then a FR wont help, I think I'm being a bit thick, think I tried it and couldn't get it to work.. gonna have to see the next time we have sun here. So, probably wont need the focal reducer, but I'll check when I can. Post Extras:       Naturlich Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/30/09 Loc: Dukinfield, Cheshire, UK Re: Advantages of Lunt LST35 DX for casual imaging? [Re: Naturlich]       #4367567 - 02/06/11 01:56 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   checking all my images, I have none taken with a focal reducer, which means that you won't be able to use one (I'd have images with one otherwise). So it sounds to me like you've got what you need to image with the SPC900. Nat Post Extras:       earl@hapb.net professor emeritus Reged: 11/21/10 Loc: Garland, TX Re: Advantages of Lunt LST35 DX for casual imaging? [Re: Naturlich]       #4368319 - 02/06/11 06:58 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I have used multiple DSLRs with the PST using the camera as prime. I have a link on my solar page that gives you an idea of what to do. You can't go wrong with the PST. A lot us use it and the images look just as good as the Lunt 35. It all depends on the seeing conditions and the processing. Post Extras:       Michael Rapp Carpal Tunnel Reged: 04/27/04 Loc: Dickinson, TX Re: Advantages of Lunt LST35 DX for casual imaging? [Re: earl@hapb.net]       #4368529 - 02/06/11 08:30 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Nat, thanks for the extra research! I am happy to report that I just ordered an LS35T Deluxe from OPT. I can't wait. Now to spend some time reading Earl's site as I dream of surface detail... Post Extras:       Phil Wheeler Carpal Tunnel Reged: 12/31/05 Loc: 3 miles WNW of Celestron Re: Advantages of Lunt LST35 DX for casual imaging? [Re: Naturlich]       #4372721 - 02/08/11 05:16 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Nat, Great images. One question: In your signature you list: Lunt LS35T Ha-Dx Lunt LS35T Ha-Basic I assume Dx means Deluxe. Are there two versions of the Lunt LS35 and you have them both? If so, what are the difference. I have a very old PST which developed the rust phenomenon. It was repaired by Meade, but since has not been as good at showing surface detail (though I suspect it is within spec); however, I still get a very nice view of proms. I am thinking of buying the Lunt LS35 based on some reviews I've read; this thread has been very interesting. Post Extras:       Phil Wheeler Carpal Tunnel Reged: 12/31/05 Loc: 3 miles WNW of Celestron Re: Advantages of Lunt LST35 DX for casual imaging? [Re: Michael Rapp]       #4372737 - 02/08/11 05:23 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: When I was just starting out in astronomy in high school, my father got me a Thousand Oaks solar filter for my 8" scope for the 1991 partial eclipse. I was hooked. Thanks for bring back some great memories, Michael. I viewed that eclipse using the only scope I had a filter for at the time, an Edmund's Astroscan. We were on a hill with a crowd and that lowly Astroscan gave many a view of the eclipse. Funny thing is that we'd returned from Tahiti the day before, but that eclipse has ended up being far more memorable than the trip! Post Extras:       Naturlich Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/30/09 Loc: Dukinfield, Cheshire, UK Re: Advantages of Lunt LST35 DX for casual imaging? [Re: Phil Wheeler]       #4373024 - 02/08/11 07:37 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hey Phil Yes I have both the Deluxe and Basic models. The main difference between them is the blocking filter, the Basic has the B400 (4mm) blocking filter, and the Deluxe has the B600 (6mm) blocking filter. The values are about the apature of the blocking filter just before the eyepiece (and possibly maximum focal length if I recall). What that really means for you at the eyepiece is that the B600 has a much wider FOV which in my opinion makes the deluxe more of a pleasure to use, easier to centre, with more more free space around the full disk. The B400 (Basic) will show a full disk but with much less free space around it. The actual solar image size in both is the same. I have seen some excellent images taken with the b400 filter + DMK41 from another forum user, but the b600 filter havng a greater FOV and ofcourse a brighter image is imho preferable. There is another noticable difference between the B600 and B400 is the location of that blocking filter. On the B600 is integral to the diagonal, on the B400 it's a part of the helicle focuser. For visual use this makes no difference, but for imaging it does as for full disk with maney setups the only way to achieve prime focus is to unscrew the focuser and attach directly the to diagonal with a T adaptor, since the B400 filter is part of the focuser you can't do that. Outside of the blocking filter the only differences are in the accessories, the deluxe ofcourse is far better off in that respect. Typicaly (other than mentioned above attaching with a T Adaptor)imaging for both requires atleast 1.5x barlow, usually done by screwing the barlow lens onto the camera nosepiece. Summery: Visualy both will give the same views of the sun, same detail etc although the Deluxe will be slightly brighter due to the greater appature. This could affect views with the use of barlows or higher powered EPs more. Imaging has been shown to be more than possible with both, although I do believe the Deluxe is the much better option for this. Hope this helps Phil, please ask away if there's anything else you'd like to know, there are a couple of us using the LS35 and a couple have them on order now aswell Nat Post Extras:       Phil Wheeler Carpal Tunnel Reged: 12/31/05 Loc: 3 miles WNW of Celestron Re: Advantages of Lunt LST35 DX for casual imaging? [Re: Naturlich]       #4373164 - 02/08/11 08:53 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks, Nat. The various web sites (like OPT) seemed to indicate the only differences were the Sol Seeker and EP. A different BF is significant, indeed. Post Extras:       Pages: 1

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