6 replies to this topic

[Bivanus]

So it happened. I blame the lunar eclipse , initially I was drawn to solar but with no Herschel wedges in stock almost anywhere and with the solar scopes going for the likes of a decent second hand car , I've got a binoviewer.

Leica microscope head they say  , with mirrors they say , it's gonna be fun they say , beware the backfocus they say...Of course , like all good advices you think about what "they say" after the deed is done  

 

Well, at least a pair of EP's was included in the deal , and I'll  admit the combo is banging, I just saw the Moon in what I can only describe as 3D.The colleague that I bought them from told me they are from an older Zeiss 8x30 Deltrintem. They each have a plastic sleeve that makes it a perfect fit in the D30mm receptacles. The nosepiece is a 2" with internal M48 thread that I intend to use for a GPC of sorts.  

 

The BV does focus with my TS APO's in straight through view with some 15mm remaining on the focuser. Both the 80mm and the 102mm have the same 2.5" focuser and same 123 mm from 2" receptacle / 161 mm from M63 thread backfocus so I guess the optical length of the binoviewers is some 108mm (123mm-15mm remaining on the tube) so the fight is on for some 40 mm I guess ( advices welcomed)

 

Also , it seems I have to learn a bit about microscope EP's  equivalation to the "normal" telescope EP's focal lengths and a couple of manufacturers from that domain.   

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[Bivanus]

The parts for the Poorman's GPC arrived in time for the weekend.

One 2" to 1.25" filter adapter and one 2x Barlow cell do the trick perfectly.

I got focus with a 2" diagonal and with 30mm remaining on the tube.

 

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[Highburymark]

Very nice. You’ll find several long threads on microscope eyepieces which can be used for astronomy on CN. I use Leica and Zeiss pairs which are perfect. I’m sure someone might also chime in with options to change your EP holders for 1.25” astro eyepieces if that’s something you wish to consider.

[Bivanus]

I’m sure someone might also chime in with options to change your EP holders for 1.25” astro eyepieces if that’s something you wish to consider.

Well, I currently think I'll stick to the existing sockets, talked today with a CNC machinist for some 30mm tube adapters on a pair of aspherics 23mm / 62° and a pair of plossls 32mm / 50° , also had a look at the surprinsingly livelly (for Romania) tho by no means cheap microscope EP's second-hand market. Indeed Zeiss and Leica are well represented ans also some Nikon EP's seem to exist - other too , most of them are on D23mm it seem.

 

From bits and pieces I think I understood a bit the "X" to "mm" focal length transformation , a confirmation / correcion would be welcomed - see picture.

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[Bivanus]

I've got the 30mm adaptors ! ☺️ 

Now I have two pairs , a 16mm one from Zeiss and a 23mm one from China Impex LTD. working on the third one , a 32mm from Omegon. 

The 23mm Aspheric are of course rather lower quality compared to the Zeiss , however the field is noticable wider.

The Plossl is lonely right now, but playing with it a bit on one eye it gets nicely into focus.

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[Bivanus]

My Baader QBarlow 1.3x / 2.25x has arrived. I was a tad aprehensive if the BV would get into focus with it - I use it at 1.3x screwed directly into my home made GPC - but it did.

Then again , I do think it's actually closer to 2.25x looking at the lenth of the 2" adapter , still better that the estimated 3.5x i was getting from my previous 2x BW cell.

Can't wait to get some sky to look at , currently I'm sightseeing seaguls nests - with the last version I could see either the nesting bird or the nest , with the current upgrade I can see the mother seagull and almost half the nest so great succes   

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[Bivanus]

After reading a couple of the discussions regarding the use of microscope EP's I've took advantage of a discount sale and bought a pair of 10x/22mm high point microscop EP's with dioptry adjustment from Lacerta (Mik10xz-diop)

They perform very well, no CA that I can detect except a small 'dubling' of very thin branches saw against the sky in daylight. 

I am also tempted by a pair of fixed 5x/22mm from Motic , however, there seems to be a contradiction between the text declaring them 'wide field' and the data sheet where the 'wide-field' line lacks the 'yes' 🤔 

Any of you has any experience with this EP's ? 

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