Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums
Privacy Policy |
Please read our Terms
of Service | Signup and
Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu.... uh, User
habsburg8
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 07/07/05
Posts: 798
|
|
There is now an online article that talks about the highly collectible Asahi Pentax 2.4-inch alt-azimuth refractor telescope. The article is called 'Classic Telescopes: A walk through Hodierna's Auriga with an Asahi Pentax refractor.'
This online file (pdf format) can be found by first typing in www.rca-omsi.org/ Select 'Newsletter' from the Table of Contents at left. Then please pick the February 2009 issue for the Pentax article. It is found on pages 3 and 4 of that particular issue.
(Astronomers who wish to observe objects closer to home with their Pentax refractors can read the companion article called 'Space Art: An exhibition by master illustrators opens an otherworldy adventure.' This 3-page discussion is found on pages 5 through 7 of the same February 2009 issue.)
How many of our members have one of these scopes? It is one of my favorites.
|
Preston Smith
Military Observer
Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 3427
Loc: Eureka, Pa
|
|
Very nicely done article John!
I'm very fortunate to have the Asahi Pentax 60mm/800mm as well as the Asahi Pentax 50mm/600mm refractor.
I received both scopes from members here in our forum, Brian sold me the 60 and MikeG sold me the 50mm.
Both are exceptional performers. I'm very pleased with both of them.
--------------------
Preston
Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26
SV115T,NHII,SV70,SV50 and Tele Vue Ranger
Vintage Refractors: Asahi-Pentax, Edmund Scientific, Tasco, Unitron
60mm Telescope Club
|
Happy-Idiot
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/06/06
Posts: 2784
Loc: 3rd Rock
|
|
Great article John. I own a Asahi Jupiter 60mm it is a exact duplicate rebrand of Preston's Asahi Pentax 60mm. I also bought a 50mm Asahi Pentax from our own Carol. Both scopes give wonderful views, i had the 50mm Pentax out the other night with almost no CA on the moon and very little on Venus. It is probably one of the best views of Venus i have ever had. (Thanks again Carol!) 
--------------------
Brian
A small scope that gets used often is a better investment than a big scope that stays in the closet.
Unitrons, you spend more time looking at them than you do through them.
|
Siderea
Astronomess
Reged: 11/21/05
Posts: 2066
Loc: Left Coast
|
|
--------------------
lc Carol
..."Then the blue above grows darker and a million stars erupt
From the places where they hide throughout the day
Into pictures in the heavens even we cannot corrupt
And the vastnesses of time can't wash away..."Jeff Green
60mm Telescope Club
|
habsburg8
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 07/07/05
Posts: 798
|
|
Lafayette Radio Electronics also apparently sold a comparable 60mm refractor with a focal length of 800mm. They evidently placed an Asahi Pentax optical tube assembly on an equatorial instead of an alt-azimuth mounting.
I also have the smaller 50mm F/12 version; it is superb optically and mechanicaly! This small aperture instrument is table-mounted with a simplistic fork mounting. These are often marked 'Materials Science Center' on the focuser.
|
desertrefugee
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/06/07
Posts: 1212
Loc: Arizona
|
|
Quote:
Lafayette Radio Electronics also apparently sold a comparable 60mm refractor with a focal length of 800mm. They evidently placed an Asahi Pentax optical tube assembly on an equatorial instead of an alt-azimuth mounting.
This quote caught my interest. Does anyone know if this Asahi Pentax OTA would have been from the earlier SPI Lafayette scopes?
I ask because I have a 60/800 Lafayette with the Circle T logo. I can't believe it's of Pentax origin, but it is MUCH better constructed, and VERY good optically, than most of the Circle T units I've seen.
--------------------
"Illimitable ocean, without bound, Without dimension, where length, breadth, and height, And time, and place are lost." - Milton
-Darrell
Reflectors - 76 to 305mm (f4.7 to f9.2)
Refractors - 50 to 120mm (f5 to f16.7)
Binoculars - 6x15 to 22x100
N. Phoenix, AZ
|
Bonco
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/17/06
Posts: 2296
Loc: Florida
|
|
I'm very pleased with my 60mm/800 Lafayette equitorial. Optics are great and even as an eq its a true grab and go scope.
Cheers, Bill
--------------------
RV6
Meade 2045
6 inch f/4 RFT R. Fagin Optics
TV Genesis
2.4 inch Lafayette Equitorial
3 inch Polarex/Unitron Equitorial
10 inch Zhumell
PST 40mm Solar scope
4 inch F/15 Antares
2.4 inch Unitron Equitorial
Tasco 10K 80mm/1200mm
Towa 339 Restored
|
|
4 registered and 2 anonymous users are browsing this forum.
Moderator: RLTYS, Glassthrower, Clive Gibbons
Print Thread
|
Forum Permissions
You cannot start new topics
You cannot reply to topics
HTML is disabled
UBBCode is enabled
|
Thread views: 405
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
