
#1
Posted 14 September 2019 - 12:57 AM
Also, I do plan on going to a Star-Party or similar event before buying anything.
#2
Posted 14 September 2019 - 01:19 AM
If this is all you're going to buy for a long time, get a cheaper zoom if it'll allow you to buy a larger Maksutov. They're all starved for aperture, any improvement is a bigger deal than a better eyepiece. Reports indicate the celestron zoom is ok if not as good as the Baader.
If you think you're going to eventually end up with a whole equipment collection like many of us here, get the Baader zoom because it is likely to remain useful even when you have a full eyepiece kit in the future.
Also, either way, you'll also need a low power wide field eyepiece, like a 32mm plossl or 24mm 68 degree field eyepiece.
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#3
Posted 14 September 2019 - 02:15 AM
Scott
#4
Posted 14 September 2019 - 02:40 AM
Will ask about the scope choice - why?
If reason is Planets and Moon you have 3 planets and 1 moon. Choice is limited. Also consider Mars is next to the sun at present and achieves a good position to us in October 2020.
Mak/SCT will produce a relatively narrow field so makes things a bit more difficult. At 90mm the focal length is around 1250 so with a 30mm Plossl that delivers 42x so around a 1 degree field at the widest. As said it just makes life difficult. I have a 102 Mak, rarely gets used.
On the Zoom side they tend to have narrower fields so the problem is not helped.
#5
Posted 14 September 2019 - 04:48 AM
Bob:
First: Hello and to CloudyNights. On to your question:
A zoom for a 90mm or 102mm Maks: I have the Baader Mk4, a Vixen LV zoom which is has a lanthanum element(s), and I have compared these to my friend Tom's Celestron zoom. I tested them in a 10 inch F/5 Dob. I suspect the Orion zoom is based on the Vixen LV zoom which was the standard zoom for many years.
Anyway, in terms of image quality, the Vixen LV zoom ran a distant third to the other two. The Celestron was surprisingly good and only fell down at low powers where it wasn't as sharp "off-axis" as the Baader. In an ~F/13 Mak, this wouldn't be an issue. I measured the apparent field of view, the Baader was consistently about 5 degrees wider than the Celestron.
My own thinking is that for an Mak, the Celestron will be a very good performer and it would be smarter to invest more money in the scope and mount than to buy the Baader zoom.
Jon
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#6
Posted 14 September 2019 - 07:49 AM
As to why I’m getting a Mak and why I want a zoom, simply put: Portability and Ease of Use. I want something smaller than I can pack up really easy in the car and take places, such as camping in the fall. And I’d like a good zoom because others will be using it and because I don’t think I want an EQ or other tracking/GoTo mount (probably going with an AltAz). And zooms are a simple concept for others I show the scope to when camping or such.
And why the planets, well because they’re awesome and dynamic and interesting. I may move on to DSO’s later on, but seeing the planets in real time sounds amazing!
Edited by Elfbob, 14 September 2019 - 07:52 AM.
#7
Posted 14 September 2019 - 12:03 PM
Scott
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#8
Posted 14 September 2019 - 06:34 PM
I have a 127 Mak and a Baader Zoom and they work well together. But with the high f ratio, I think the Celestron is very acceptable. And if the choice is the Baader and the 90 / 102 or the Celestron zoom and a 127, I'd take the 127 package, tho it might require a bit more of a mount.
I will say that the Baader is an eyepiece that you can keep for a long time and it does well in scopes with low focal lengths. I think it's a good long term investment.
- Jon Isaacs likes this
#9
Posted 15 September 2019 - 05:07 AM
Regarding the Celestron zoom with the 127mm Mak and the Baader with the 102: This is my all time favorite quote. It's by Jean Texearu who wrote the amateur telescope maker's bible How to Make a Telescope.
"It is not usually made clear, that these elements, objective and eyepiece, are by no means comparable in importance. The astronomer's hopes are almost wholly tied to the size and quality of the objectve. The objective of even the smallest telescope, because of its larger dimensions, the severe optical requirements it must meet, and the difficulty of its construction, completely overshadows the eyepiece."
- "How to Make a Telescope," by Jean Texereau, Page 1, Paragraph 2.
In this case, the difference between a 102 Mak and a 127 Mak is significant, it's more resolution and more light. The Celestron Zoom eyepiece is around $65. If at a later date, a Baader is wanted, you're only out $65 and in reality, the Celestron could be sold for probably $45 so there's a minimal cost to switching. With the scopes, the cost to upgrade will be much greater.
Jon
- earlyriser likes this
#10
Posted 15 September 2019 - 12:02 PM
Now the internal debate for me is if I want to fork over an extra $150 for the 127mm or save the money. Seems kinda silly not to go for the 127, realizing that even with the 127 + Celestron Zoom, I’m still saving almost $80 in comparison to 102mm + Baader. And like the above post says, it’s much easier to upgrade the eyepiece than upgrade the scope.
The only thing that really confuses me is how much better is the 127mm be than the 102. Because while there is definitely a decent increase in aperture, the focal length is also increased, meaning that the improvement in the speed (f ratio) is somewhat marginal (12.1 vs 12.7). I guess I’m still confused about the difference in roles that the aperture vs the speed has. Is the aperture simply resolution and the speed is the light sensitivity. I don’t know, I guess this is where I begin to show my naivete in the subject. And I’m kinda getting away from the point, that question my be better suited in the beginners forum.
But you guys are awesome! Thank you for all your insight. It goes a long way in helping me.