3 replies to this topic

[Jkaiser3000]

Hi gang, I bought a used quark a while back and, while I haven’t had the time to enjoy it as much as I would like, I have had a chance to use it visually and for imaging. Some of the images I’ve shared in this forum before.

 

From the beginning I noticed some blue shading on the blocking filter (the one that faces the telescope) and, I can notice a part of the field of view that seems to be affected by less contrast than the rest, at least visually and the apparent shape of the area affected seems to coincide with the shaded area on the filter. While imaging there’s an area that has some weird ringing effect but, oddly that’s where prominences are more visible, albeit with a brighter background. I was wondering whether this shading is normal or if I should be looking into changing it? Is it easy to change or would Daystar need to be involved for the repair?

 

I don’t have an example of the ringing at hand but I do remember someone noticing and mentioning it in one of my posts. I do have a photo of the filter for your perusal.

 

Any suggestions are more than welcome and appreciated

 

[C0rs4ir_]

Hard to say from this image, i dont see any gradient, just white dust specs.

 

There are several threads of how to exchange the block filter stack of a Quark. Its very easy and not too expensive.

If you send it to Daystar they will likely exchange the complete Quark which means if you had a "good one" you risk getting a "bad one".

[BYoesle]

The upper part of the filter looks deteriorated and I would replace the filter, but I would not send it to DayStar as noted above, and the warranty is gone after 5 years. If this is the front filter in the Quark nosepiece - no 56 as shown below - you can replace the filter yourself.

 

DayStar. Click for larger.

 

The blocking filter can be replaced with the Andover 656FS02-12.5 656.3nm Bandpass Filter, HBW 1nm, 12.5mm diameter:

 

 

It will look like this - identical to the OEM - and be sure to keep the filter orientation the same as the one removed.

 

 

 

Edited by BYoesle, 14 September 2024 - 02:52 PM.

[Jkaiser3000]

Thanks for the info, this is exactly what I wanted to know.

 

those white specks are indeed dust and dirt but I cleaned it after taking the photo. Of course, no photo after the cleaning 

 

The blue shading is “part” of the filter, it’s not a reflection from inside or from the coatings. The shape, size and color of that “feature” are consistent regardless of the angle the filter is held or looked at.

it’s good to know I can do this myself, assuming I can get my hands on a new filter. I was not looking forward to have Daystar involved, mostly because I don’t live in the US and also the time it would likely take them to deal with this.