13093 replies to this topic

[Rasfahan]

Are the stars not according to the Spot diagram in FC-76DP + 76DP FU reducer 0.64× shown on the page? The stars in the center appear sharp and well-defined, while those in the corners seem to exhibit some noticeable aberrations.

Can‘t say anything about the center with the overstretch and low resolution.

[Ncraw]

Unfortunately the flatteners and especially the reducers are not up to the needed specs. The demands of the modern sensors are quite high and it’s also desirable to have a low focal ratio for imaging. In principle, the FCT-65D is the right direction: Premium triplet with a large, multi-element flattener for a well-corrected and illuminated field.

The FC-76D with the 1.04x flattener is very good out to APS-C (and I‘ld expect the FC-100 to be, too) but also quite slow. The TSA-120 also looks good with its flattener, but not for full frame. The FS-60CB is too colourful and shows serious corner aberrations already on M4/3 with the flattener. The TOA are exceptional (probably best in their aperture) with the flattener and still very good with the reducer. I can‘t say anything much about the vintage scopes because I haven‘t owned or tested one and it‘s not easy to get the specs.

Many Chinese designs forego good correction and produce round stars by introducing high spherical aberration. Tak does not which makes aberrations visible that would otherwise be hidden by fat, round stars. (The design of the Askar FRA300 is a rare exception from that norm).

Very informative. I have zero experience with imaging but does sound that Tak is lagging behind for the new era. Maybe that’s why they are introducing new scopes to help with this.

[Lentini]

Sorry in advance if I've posted this to the wrong place, please feel free to move this if its in the wrong forum/thread.  

 

I've got my first real telescope, a takahashi tsa120.  Love the scope and learning.  But I found these 2 pieces in the box, there's no identifying marks, in english and I can't seem to find them on the system diagram.  They're about 2" long (50.8mm), a little less wide.  Just a hollow threaded short piece if threaded tube.  If I attach them to the drawtube ahead of the rest of the light train, I cannot get focus.  

 

Does anyone know what these are for?

 

thanks for your time

Joe

 

IMG_4565.jpeg IMG_4567.jpeg

Just extension tubes, which are probably needed for visual use of the TSA-120 with original focuser… Does yours have an aftermarket focuser? Post a pic of your scope? 
 

I had to buy an extension to get visual focus with my TSA-120 and a Feathertouch Focuser.

[jap201]

Just extension tubes, which are probably needed for visual use of the TSA-120 with original focuser… Does yours have an aftermarket focuser? Post a pic of your scope? 
 

I had to buy an extension to get visual focus with my TSA-120 and a Feathertouch Focuser.

Thanks for the info.  I'll keep them aside in case I ever need them.  I bought the scope new from a dealer and never changed the focuser, so it should be original.  I thought they might be extension tubes, but I can't get focus when i use them.  When I bought the scope I had some older 1.25" eyepieces from my old scope.  So I got the Televue 2-1.25 diagonal to use the old eyepieces.  But I didn't think that would have anything to do with my inability to focus with and extender attached, tho.

Here's a picture of the scope. 

Thanks for the help

Joe

 

 

[balcon3]

If you are using a 2 inch diagonal, you won't need the extension tubes. A 1.25 inch diagonal has a shorter path length so you might need an extension tube to reach focus. In addition some people in the Japanese market view straight through without a diagonal at all, and these users would certainly need an extension. Similar for those doing astrophotography. It's good to have a telescope with a shorter tube like the TSA-120 because it is more flexible. You can use 2 inch diagonals and other accessories that add to the path length such as binoviewers. It's easy to add length using an extension tube if necessary. But it's much harder to remove length if your tube is too long. Just keep your extensions tubes in storage until you find you need them.

[dan_hm]

Are the stars not according to the Spot diagram in FC-76DP + 76DP FU reducer 0.64× shown on the page? The stars in the center appear sharp and well-defined, while those in the corners seem to exhibit some noticeable aberrations.

That is not in line with what Tak says on its product page for this reducer and the others:

 

https://takahashijap...ourite_reducer/

[jap201]

If you are using a 2 inch diagonal, you won't need the extension tubes. A 1.25 inch diagonal has a shorter path length so you might need an extension tube to reach focus. In addition some people in the Japanese market view straight through without a diagonal at all, and these users would certainly need an extension. Similar for those doing astrophotography. It's good to have a telescope with a shorter tube like the TSA-120 because it is more flexible. You can use 2 inch diagonals and other accessories that add to the path length such as binoviewers. It's easy to add length using an extension tube if necessary. But it's much harder to remove length if your tube is too long. Just keep your extensions tubes in storage until you find you need them.

Great thanks.

[balcon3]

Great thanks.

Great scope you’ve got there. Enjoy it !

[25585]

What Tak scopes are in danger of discontinuation? Has there been anything officisl?

[Ncraw]

What Tak scopes are in danger of discontinuation? Has there been anything officisl?

I think FOA60Q is no longer made? The 76DS as well if I recall.  

[Lagrange]

I think FOA60Q is no longer made? The 76DS as well if I recall.  

The FOA-60Q is still listed on the Takahashi Japan website, but there's a notice that they've temporarily suspended orders.

 

That could suggest a permanent halt, but the TOA-150B had production suspended for a while until it was resumed in January this year.

 

Production of the FC-76DS ended in November last year.

[Ncraw]

Sorry in advance if I've posted this to the wrong place, please feel free to move this if its in the wrong forum/thread.  

 

I've got my first real telescope, a takahashi tsa120.  Love the scope and learning.  But I found these 2 pieces in the box, there's no identifying marks, in english and I can't seem to find them on the system diagram.  They're about 2" long (50.8mm), a little less wide.  Just a hollow threaded short piece if threaded tube.  If I attach them to the drawtube ahead of the rest of the light train, I cannot get focus.  

 

Does anyone know what these are for?

 

thanks for your time

Joe

 

IMG_4565.jpeg IMG_4567.jpeg

https://auctions.yah...ion/v1166985354

 

Tak Filter Box Auxiliary Ring i1209

Edited by Ncraw, 17 March 2025 - 07:55 PM.

[geekay]

Have to say there is nothing prettier than the FQRs. Both black and metal ones are so 80s nostalgia with that green text reminds me of that era Japanese electronics. 
 

I went to Starbase Tokyo this past weekend to pick up a Takahashi catalog and found one of these in the sales display case filled with components removed from floor models. It even had the old-style green lettering (rather than the blue lettering of the current production run), and was priced at a too-good-to-be-true 6,600 yen (about $45). 

I couldn't resist. It now has a new home atop my Tak.

 

 

[raadoo]

Folks, a quick one, does anyone know which shop(s) in Japan stock More Blue and ship internationally? Thanks!

[Ben Diss]

Folks, a quick one, does anyone know which shop(s) in Japan stock More Blue and ship internationally? Thanks!

 

What are you looking for?  Cuiv's tripod?

[raadoo]

What are you looking for?  Cuiv's tripod?

I had forgotten about that! But no, it wasn't the tripod I was after - rather More Blue dovetail plates, saddles and rings for my ever-growing Tak family.
 

[DHurst]

Not sure where your at but:

https://astrohutech....s/8-more-blue/ 

[raadoo]

Not sure where your at but:

https://astrohutech....s/8-more-blue/ 

I'm in the EU, so importing from the States is a bit of a faff; surprisingly, importing straight from Japan is less of a hassle.

Edited by raadoo, 21 March 2025 - 01:42 PM.

[Northern Jeff]

Instead of More Blue, an alternative is K-Astec rings/plates/saddles. I like them for my TSA-120. Bought them from Kyoei-Osaka.

[raadoo]

Instead of More Blue, an alternative is K-Astec rings/plates/saddles. I like them for my TSA-120. Bought them from Kyoei-Osaka.

I'm quite happy with K-Astec, as well. Got the EAF bracket from them and it's a nice piece of machinery indeed.

By the looks of it, the K-Astec Losmandy dovetails follow the same 35mm spacing pattern as More Blue so maybe they're some sort of distant cousins or perhaps that's a standard in Japan.

Either way, thanks for the hint, Jeff! I hadn't considered Kyoei-Osaka, but will definitely follow up on them.

Time to bling my Taks in silver!
 

[John Huntley]

I'm in the EU, so importing from the States is a bit of a faff; surprisingly, importing straight from Japan is less of a hassle.

First Light Optics in the UK carry More Blue stuff:

 

https://www.firstlig.../for/more blue/

[FractorFiend]

I finally got a nice case for my FC-100DZ. It’s the Tenba TTP34 ordered directly from Tenba. 
 

[balcon3]

I finally got a nice case for my FC-100DZ. It’s the Tenba TTP34 ordered directly from Tenba. 
 

I use the same case for my FC100DF. It's a great case. It protects the telescope. It's light. And the triangular shape means it sits very stably on a flat surface. I think Takahashi used to provide this case or a similar one with their refractors.

[RAKing]

I was finally able to get my TSA-120 outside for the first time this year, sporting its new FT3035 focuser.

 

I bought this scope at the height of the Covid pandemic in the fall of 2020.  Based on my discussions, it was the last 120 left, and it had been scheduled for an FT refit.  But due to Covid there were no FT focusers available, so I took delivery with a stock Tak focuser and the black serial number plate that belonged on the FT focuser.

 

 

 

Then I was diagnosed with cancer and went through the ugly chemo and radiation treatments, so the scope sat around until I realized that I couldn't use it and let a friend buy it.  Fast forward a year, and I was feeling better and asked if I could have it back in 2023.  It's been here ever since, and I have enjoyed it a lot.  But I always wanted the FT focuser upgrade and finally ordered it late last year.

 

The "first light session" last night was incredible!  Of course the optics haven't changed, but the scope just seemed to be easier to focus and it works great.  Shortly after I took the glamour shot, I realized that I needed my TeleVue 2-inch extension to reach focus with my eyepieces.  The good news with that is it means that I should be able to easily use my binoviewers in the TSA - possibly without a GPC!

 

Slightly off-topic, but if you haven't tried a Docter 12.5mm eyepiece, you are missing something special.

 

So my scope is doing better, and I can only hope that my new upcoming battle with cancer will turn out okay, too. 

 

Cheers,

 

Ron

 

 

[RAKing]

The serial number plate is where it belongs!