4 replies to this topic

[HotRod217]

Hello everyone, 

 

I am planning to get the Orion 180 mm Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope. Is it possible to image or see brighter deep sky objects by using a focal reducer? It's has a focal length of 2700mm and a focal ratio of f/15.0.

[JEPott]

I can't say to much on this as I am still new to AP but I do know that you will need a lot more acquisition time to get good results as this is an f/15.0 scope... but it should be possible.

[Bean614]

You can 'see' LOTS of DSO's with a 7 inch Mak!

[Eric Seavey]

It is a good scope for small bright targets such as planets and small bright planetary nebulae (Blue Snowball or Saturn Nebula).  Although, larger aperture will resolve more detail with a SCT such as a Celestron C8, C9.25 or C11, or Meade LX200 ACF scopes. 

[photoracer18]

Most attempts to use focal reducers on MCTs usually is on Rumaks which have F-ratios in the F10-F12 range because the f-ratios are similar to the SCTs the reducers are meant to be used on. Companies like Intes in Russia did make focal reducers in the 0.55x-0.6x range for their MCTs but no one seems to know what F-ratios they were designed for (I have an Intes 0.6x model). All the one I have seen have SCT threads on them so they are designed for moving mirror focusing Maks not fixed optic ones. Does not stop someone from putting an SCT>2" adapter on one and sticking it into the focuser of a fixed optics one. May or may not reach focus that way (I have never tried even though I have the parts to do it with and to try an SCT one).