89 replies to this topic

[ATM57]

Looks awesome.

 

Was the width of the OTA rings plus custom cradle a serendipitous fit or is there some special spacers in there to properly span the dob mounting?

I had to add a 1/4" thick spacer to the altitude bearing on the non-driven side.Other than that, nothing special.

[Trevor N]

I’ve had a 150 for about six months now. I used it initially on an AVX but have since upgraded to an EQ6. I found the standard dovetail, rings and focusser to be fine.

Im convinced the optics are a noticeable step up from my 120ED. CA does not seem to be an issue either. I’ve attached a recent lunar shot. I’ve taken lots of images over the years with refractors of this area including other makes of six inch refractor scopes and this is the finest detail I’ve managed. I can’t see me parting with this one.

Only downside, it’s definitely not grab and go and is a bit of a lump to set up but well worth the effort. 
 

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[Trevor N]

And here’s another shot along the terminator. I cant see much blurring from CA. 

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[Heywood]

"I'm convinced the optics are a noticeable step up from my 120ED."

 

Do you mean you are convinced that the 150's optics are actually higher quality than are the 120's optics, or just that the 150 is better because it has more aperture?

Edited by Heywood, 28 June 2020 - 04:54 PM.

[Heywood]

And here’s another shot along the terminator. I cant see much blurring from CA. 

Amazing shot!!

[ATM57]

And here’s another shot along the terminator. I cant see much blurring from CA. 

Excellent shots!

[Trevor N]

Thanks for the comments. I mean the optics show more fine detail than the ED120. I’m really not that bothered about this or that glass type but more bothered about what I can see or image and so far this scope has proven to be really good. It’s a shame the planets are so low but Mars should be a test later this year. When Jupiter eventually rises from the murky Southern horizon in the UK I will see if I can beat this shot taken through the ED120. If I can, that clinches it for me

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[ATM57]

Nice Jupiter shot! I hope to get one as good, in the near future, with my 150ED.

[SteveG]

Thanks for the comments. I mean the optics show more fine detail than the ED120. I’m really not that bothered about this or that glass type but more bothered about what I can see or image and so far this scope has proven to be really good. It’s a shame the planets are so low but Mars should be a test later this year. When Jupiter eventually rises from the murky Southern horizon in the UK I will see if I can beat this shot taken through the ED120. If I can, that clinches it for me

Alright! I guess I'm about ready to buy one of these after reading these reports! I love big refractors.

 

So an EQ6 as a minimum for the mount?

[Trevor N]

The AVX was OK and I think would work for visual but I just felt happier with the extra mass of the EQ6. The optical tube is relatively lightweight but I wanted to dabble in longer exposure deep sky imaging so the EQ6 was a better bet for me.

 

There were a few teething problems that did the rounds on the internet when they were first released but I can remember exactly the same thing when the ED120 was released. There were comments about poorer CA control and less clarity than the ED100 but now its hailed as a great scope. 

 

Its taken years but I've brought and sold most types including Newtonian's and sct's but always seem to come back to refractors. I think they do vary from scope to scope as well. I once owned an APM 152 and I know they get a very good press on this forum but to me the one I had was not as good as the ED150 for several reasons.

 

I think we all have to decide for ourselves and like most things in life we will never all agree. That's a good thing really as there would be little left for people to get exited about on CN ! 

 

Here's another one to throw in the ring. I have read countless comments across the web stating what a person can see or not see with a particular scope. I personally think its a bit subjective because we never seem to consider the major variability in the receptor, the mark one eyeball ! I think he's a brave man who can claim someone else cannot possibly see this or that with a certain scope. All you can really say is this is what I see and these are the pictures I have taken. I've purchased scopes in the past on recommendation and been thoroughly disappointed and also been really impressed with scopes that are generally considered dodgy. I understand there are physical laws and scientific limits to resolution but I've always seen this as a hobby and we are nearly all amateurs in the end.

 

In summary, I can say my experience with the ED150 to date has been very good and I hope others have similar. Thanks for the comments. It's great to be able to share these things and think about something else other than the current world events. I've attached a mosaic around Altai scarp taken recently through the ED150. The original has more detail but it gives an idea. Take care.

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Edited by Trevor N, 29 June 2020 - 05:12 AM.

[John Huntley]

This photo shows the size difference between the ED150 and my ED120:

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Edited by John Huntley, 29 June 2020 - 11:06 AM.

[tonyt]

Another image through the 150ED:

NGC 6164: looks like a PN but the main star is actually a short lived O-type giant that can't contain itself.

 

 

 

[tonyt]

And a rendition of the Lagoon:

 

[Jeff B]

Trevor, what a great shot of Jupiter via the 120ED!  I also see that it's one of the older, gold tube models.  I have one and it's optically superb.  I too replaced the stock focuser with a ML, but I also cut the tube back to make it bino-friendly.

 

I love the lunar shots via the 150ED.  You imaged some of the very features I use on the moon to visually evaluate optics.

 

I'm going to have to get me on the those SW 150ED thingies too.

 

Jeff

[ATM57]

Had some fun shooting the moon tonight with the SW150

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