22 replies to this topic

[nimitdb2017]

Hi guys,

I just ordered a nexstar 8se which will be delivered around end of July.

I have ordered the following Accesories to go with it,
Solar filter
Cls filter 1.25 inch
T ring and adapter
GSO ND filter 50% transmission
Celestron 40 mm plossl, 2x omni Barlow and x cell lx 5 mm ep

I wanted to get a focal reducer as well.
My vendor has provided me the following option

GSO 0.5x Focal Reducer 1.25" with 25mm extension tube

https://tejraj.com/focal-reducer.html

But he is not sure if this reducer will work with my 8se for AP

Request members here to guide if this reducer will work with nexstar 8se and Nikon d5200. I am new to AP

Compared to celestron f/6.3 reducer the cost of the GSO reducer is 1/8th in my location - Mumbai, India

[james7ca]

Have you considered trying to find a used Celestron f/6.3 reducer? Seems like there should be a good number of those on eBay (or another service) for not too much money.

 

In any case, you shouldn't expect either the GSO or Celestron reducers to produce nice looking stars right out to the edges of your Nikon D5200. But, they will certainly reduce your image scale and make for a somewhat "faster" system.

 

Good luck and welcome to Cloudy Nights.

Edited by james7ca, 26 June 2022 - 04:45 AM.

[steviebee]

Welcome to SGL! l have the CPC800 and the 6SE. Just purchased the Celestron 6.3 focal reducer. l have yet to try it. l did try with a 'Chinese' Meade 6.3 focal reducer but could not get focus (known problem apparently). l concur with james7ca hold our for a Celestron 6.3 reducer they do come up second hand.

[nimitdb2017]

Online Used market for telescopes / Accesories is almost non-existent to routine google search here. EBay search also did not yield much.

Also another quick question based on your reply,
Which camera system would be good for AP?

Wouldn’t be investing now, since the current purchase has anyways blown past my budget. Just for future, what would be a good camera for celestron 8se

[crn3371]

What do you have in mind regarding AP? Planetary? EAA? DSO’s? 

[nimitdb2017]

I am just starting out. So initially would like to focus on the moon and the planets. Once I get the hang of it probably I would like to graduate to DSO’s

[rl112871]

This was taken with my Nikon D5300 attached to my 8se with  the .63 focal reducer.

Attached Thumbnails

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[nimitdb2017]

This looks pretty awesome!

[firemachine69]

I am just starting out. So initially would like to focus on the moon and the planets. Once I get the hang of it probably I would like to graduate to DSO’s

 

 

You won't be doing any deep sky with a nexstar se mount. The mount is sloppy and that 2000mm focal length (1200ish with the reducer) is absolutely unforgiving.

 

Nice start for the moon and planets though!

 

Edited by firemachine69, 26 June 2022 - 11:52 PM.

[charles.tremblay.darveau]

I would only use the GSO reducer for visual, or  if you have a very small camera chip.

 

The Celestron reducer is ok for starting out astrophotography or EAA. You will still notice some coma at the end of your field, but it is still not bad for the price. 

 

The best reducer on the market is the Starizona f/6.3 reducer. It properly flattens the field and is worth every penny. I would look at that option later if you really get interested in astrophotography. Unfortunately, it's another 'buy once, cry once'  dilemma. 

[nimitdb2017]

You won't be doing any deep sky with a nexstar se mount. The mount is sloppy and that 2000mm focal length (1200ish with the reducer) is absolutely unforgiving.

Nice start for the moon and planets though!

https://m.youtube.co...h?v=UPJ-dYbK9Lc

This guy has done some great DSO work with a celestron reducer and 8se.

[nimitdb2017]

You won't be doing any deep sky with a nexstar se mount. The mount is sloppy and that 2000mm focal length (1200ish with the reducer) is absolutely unforgiving.

Nice start for the moon and planets though!

Maybe later I can get a good eq mount / starizona hyperstar.

[nimitdb2017]

I would only use the GSO reducer for visual, or if you have a very small camera chip.

Thanks. Will look into it..

The Celestron reducer is ok for starting out astrophotography or EAA. You will still notice some coma at the end of your field, but it is still not bad for the price.

The best reducer on the market is the Starizona f/6.3 reducer. It properly flattens the field and is worth every penny. I would look at that option later if you really get interested in astrophotography. Unfortunately, it's another 'buy once, cry once' dilemma.

[Dpasqa]

Hi guys,

I just ordered a nexstar 8se which will be delivered around end of July.

I have ordered the following Accesories to go with it,
Solar filter
Cls filter 1.25 inch
T ring and adapter
GSO ND filter 50% transmission
Celestron 40 mm plossl, 2x omni Barlow and x cell lx 5 mm ep

I wanted to get a focal reducer as well.
My vendor has provided me the following option

GSO 0.5x Focal Reducer 1.25" with 25mm extension tube

https://tejraj.com/focal-reducer.html

But he is not sure if this reducer will work with my 8se for AP

Request members here to guide if this reducer will work with nexstar 8se and Nikon d5200. I am new to AP

Compared to celestron f/6.3 reducer the cost of the GSO reducer is 1/8th in my location - Mumbai, India

Are use the Celestron 6.3 focal reducer. I can’t imagine needing anything other than that one. It gives a decent wider field of view.

[rl112871]

Maybe later I can get a good eq mount / starizona hyperstar.

I have two 8se's that have had the OTA's migrate over to an AVX mount. Never to return to the se mounts. Here's one of them.

Attached Thumbnails

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[sctbrd]

The Celestron reducer corrector would help correct the edges (as said above) for better stars, flatter field. A regular focal reducer would not do this, and you would get more vignetting if you went to higher exposure times/stacking.

 

The Celestron .63 reducer/corrector is designed for the SCT. Ive seen that some of the older ones made in China had quality issues, so might be better to get a new one.

 

Guiding and DSO photography with the 8se is NOT impossible, but it is challenging. With your DSLR (or a dedicated camera for atstrophotography) you can stack images and get nice results. Livestacking is great for DSOs, as you can see the details come out while you watch.

 

A camera like the ZWO ASI224 or similar would be a good start with a fairly low price.

 

These were taken last week using my 80s C8 on a Nexstar 8se mount, ZWO ASI294MC, stacked 8 second exposures :

 

Edited by sctbrd, 28 June 2022 - 01:44 AM.

[nimitdb2017]

The Celestron reducer corrector would help correct the edges (as said above) for better stars, flatter field. A regular focal reducer would not do this, and you would get more vignetting if you went to higher exposure times/stacking.

 

The Celestron .63 reducer/corrector is designed for the SCT. Ive seen that some of the older ones made in China had quality issues, so might be better to get a new one.

 

Guiding and DSO photography with the 8se is NOT impossible, but it is challenging. With your DSLR (or a dedicated camera for atstrophotography) you can stack images and get nice results. Livestacking is great for DSOs, as you can see the details come out while you watch.

 

A camera like the ZWO ASI224 or similar would be a good start with a fairly low price.

 

These were taken last week using my 80s C8 on a Nexstar 8se mount, ZWO ASI294MC, stacked 8 second exposures :

 

Great pics.. u have used a hyper star also for these?

[nimitdb2017]

Are use the Celestron 6.3 focal reducer. I can’t imagine needing anything other than that one. It gives a decent wider field of view.

haven't received my order yet. It will be delivered end of July. Even then I doubt I would be able to use it before October - September as its a rainy season here in Mumbai and the clouds cover is too dense..

[nimitdb2017]

I have another quick question,

 

Would I need a reducer / corrector even to image the moon and the planets?

[Dpasqa]

I have another quick question,

 

Would I need a reducer / corrector even to image the moon and the planets?

I doubt it. Others who are into astrophotography.will know. I’d think for thenplanets you’d want a 2x Barlow more than a reducer. You don’t need a wide FOV for planets.  Hope for a clear night in September.  Don

[sctbrd]

Great pics.. u have used a hyper star also for these?

Yes, pictures taken with hyperstar are in my gallery.

Edited by sctbrd, 28 June 2022 - 07:12 AM.

[charles.tremblay.darveau]

Reducer helps full moon fit in FOV which can be useful depending what you want. No reducer for planets, they are tiny. Either nothing or 2x Barlow.

I also agree, hyperstar is great for wide field of view (about same as 70mm refractor).

[charles.tremblay.darveau]

Hyperstar:

 

C8 with evo and Celestron reducer