2527 replies to this topic

[Look at the sky 101]

My televue 85 .

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[N8Allen]

My new Stellarvue 130 Raptor

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[Ambress]

Missing the reach of my Sigma 150-600mm zoom that along with my Nikon D850 served as my intro equipment into astrophotography atop a Star Adventurer Pro tracker, a bit over a year later and having seen that lens being superceded by a William Optics Z61II (sharper, cleaner, but a "short" 360mm), I finally have the reach back!  I bought an Astro-Tech AT125EDL and 0.8X reducer/flattener that marries well to a ZWO ASI6200MC camera and rides on an iOptron CEM40.  It appears the new scope is suffering from pinched optics that I've yet to do anything about.  I've heard that is common among refractors and exacerbated by very cold weather,  although mine here in Tennessee has been pretty much right around freezing, which I assume isn't considered "that cold".  I really wish for newbies as myself with their first larger telescope, that manufacturers would provide a user's guide.  Perhaps there's not so much information to be given that can't be found, but one simply shouldn't have to find it.  When spending this kind of money, documentation on the product should always be provided.

Edited by Ambress, 13 February 2022 - 11:13 PM.

[Drothgeb]

Here’s my current assortment of refractors. The most notable ones would be the late 80s Astro Physics 142mm F7 Starfire, and the TeleVue Oracle. Had both of them for more than 30 years.

 

The Oracle is sitting on an old Criterion RV-6 mount that I modified with aluminum shafts for travel. It’s traveled with me to a number of different countries and islands to photograph eclipses.

 

 

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[combatdad]

My collection of classic Unitron's....with a Brandon 94 added!

 

Dave

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[combatdad]

And my most recent addition...a Stellarvue SVX127D.

 

Dave

 

 

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[YAOG]

Complete newbie here. Only been doing AP for a few months now but I sort of jumped off the deep end.  
 

Redcat 71

ASI294 mc pro

ZWO mini guidescope
ASI 120mm mini guide camera

AVX

 

IDK, doesn't seem to be a particularly expensive or difficult system to get running. Add autofocusing to the existing rig and you will be able to spend more time chatting up other peeps or sleeping imaging with something like SGP or NINA. Or add autofocusing, a longer dovetail and undermount an ASIAIR+ and you should become very proficient very quickly. Both automated systems would allow you to have enough time to observe visually while imaging, this is the best thing IMO. 

[YAOG]

Missing the reach of my Sigma 150-600mm zoom that along with my Nikon D850 served as my intro equipment into astrophotography atop a Star Adventurer Pro tracker, a bit over a year later and having seen that lens being superceded by a William Optics Z61II (sharper, cleaner, but a "short" 360mm), I finally have the reach back!  I bought an Astro-Tech AT125EDL and 0.8X reducer/flattener that marries well to a ZWO ASI6200MC camera and rides on an iOptron CEM40.  It appears the new scope is suffering from pinched optics that I've yet to do anything about.  I've heard that is common among refractors and exacerbated by very cold weather,  although mine here in Tennessee has been pretty much right around freezing, which I assume isn't considered "that cold".  I really wish for newbies as myself with their first larger telescope, that manufacturers would provide a user's guide.  Perhaps there's not so much information to be given that can't be found, but one simply shouldn't have to find it.  When spending this kind of money, documentation on the product should always be provided.

Pinched optics should never be an acceptable situation even in the cold. Contact Astronomics and talk to them about getting help in diagnosing and confirming the issue. I'm pretty sure they can help you diagnose and resolve the issue whatever it is.    

[SpikeFalcon]

Holy Smokes!!! I love this thread!!! 

[TV85Man]

 

 

 

My TV-85/telepod/mount/starbeam/AP Maxbright setup and Nagler Type 4's......simplicity and elegance, Al Nagler's favorite. 

Edited by TV85Man, 15 February 2022 - 05:22 PM.

[gzljh96]

My LOMO 95/650, now fully assembled and upgraded with a Moonlite CFL 2.5” focuser.

 

This puppy is barely any longer than a Sky 90 or a Borg 90FL but it weighs 5.8kg with rings and plate!!

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[nicknacknock]

gzljh96,

 

I expect to see higher quality rings there pretty soon, to complement that lovely scope and focuser! 

[gzljh96]

gzljh96,

I expect to see higher quality rings there pretty soon, to complement that lovely scope and focuser!

My TS rings are on the side, but I can’t fit them on because…

I don’t have the correct sized screws yet :/

[nicknacknock]

AT 125 EDL riding on NoH's  CT-30 mount and Gitzo Series 5 for some indoor testing. Waiting for new moon at the end of the month to mount this on my Uni 18 for some serious fun!

 

Finderscope is a Lumicon 50mm Super Finder fitted with a Baader Diagonal and a 20mm ES 62° eyepiece and a Starizona 1.25" flattener as I like my finders to display a flat field.

 

Pondering replacing the Baader Surfer III with a Telrad, because a) Telrad and b) why not?

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[Bomber Bob]

Two Taks are better than one.  My 1970s TS-50 & TS-65/P are back from powder-coating:

 

[Starlighter]

Vixen A80M awaiting the night sky.

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[Agatha]

 Beautiful picture of your Vixen.  

[Starlighter]

Thanks.

 

My TV-85:

 

 

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[CHASLX200]

Here is a few mixed in with other kinds of scopes.

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[desertlens]

Japanese fluorite and American quartz:

 

Takahashi FOA-60, Vernonscope 1/20 wave quartz diagonal, Brandon 16mm flat-top

 

The diagonal is too new to comment but I'm confident this combination will out-perform both my eyes and my air.

[zirkel 2]

Carton 60/360 f/6

Edited by zirkel 2, 20 February 2022 - 03:35 AM.

[zirkel 2]

Orion ED 80/600 f/7.5

Edited by zirkel 2, 20 February 2022 - 03:36 AM.

[zirkel 2]

Scopetech 80/1200 f/15

Edited by zirkel 2, 20 February 2022 - 03:38 AM.

[zirkel 2]

TS 102/1122 f/11

Edited by zirkel 2, 20 February 2022 - 03:38 AM.

[Bomber Bob]

My planet-killing & over-achieving 1970s restored Dakin 4" F10:

 

 

Excellent machining, one of a kind baffle assembly, and most likely a Bausch & Lomb objective: