4 replies to this topic

[CaribbeanCruiser]

After reading / watching quite a few reviews, I think I've narrowed down my choice for a sub $800 scope / flattener combo to either the SV550 or the Z61.

 

The scope will likely be used half the time for visual and half the time for photography.  I like the 80mm triplet, but the FL53 glass in the 61mm double seems to be just as good on the spot diagrams.  

 

If the build quality of the Z61 is leaps and bounds above the SV550, I'd definitely lean that direction since most of my viz stuff would be star clusters and brighter objects that could be seen with binoculars.

 

Are there be other (readily available) scopes that be included in this consideration?  

 

Should a 6" SCT with reducer be in this group? 

 

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

[dk94041]

An SCT will be native f10, and even with a reducer will be in the f6-f7 range, good for planets but not nebula.  Would definitely recommend WO vs SVBony.  A quality doublet will be near that of a triplet. I use a SW evostar doublet and have been quite pleased.  

 

One fact for astrophotography - assuming you will be using a color camera - you should stack each of the R,G,B channels separately then combine - PixInsight has a setting for this - it will further help with chromatic aberration due to atmospheric distortion.

[Shed9]

I personally wouldn't group those three OTA's together in a shoot-out, but to answer where I can.  If quality is your driver, the WO is clearly the better of the two refractors.  If your WO option was closer to the aperture of the SV550's 80mm it would be a no-brainer but 80mm over 61mm is fairly steep.  The C6, even with reducer, is not really in the same ball-park of the refractors' focal lengths, however it can be a slightly underestimated scope in my opinion as well. 

 

Even with the reduced aperture, if it was me and with my experience of both Svbony and WO products, I would go with the WO on the basis that you are less likely to regret buying a WO over the Svbony. 

[CaribbeanCruiser]

An SCT will be native f10, and even with a reducer will be in the f6-f7 range, good for planets but not nebula.  Would definitely recommend WO vs SVBony.  A quality doublet will be near that of a triplet. I use a SW evostar doublet and have been quite pleased.  

 

One fact for astrophotography - assuming you will be using a color camera - you should stack each of the R,G,B channels separately then combine - PixInsight has a setting for this - it will further help with chromatic aberration due to atmospheric distortion.

Hoping to pick up a monochrome camera, guide scope and guide camera in the near future...will definitely be doing a deep dive on filters...saving that for the next post .  I've done quite a bit of work with itelescope without filters and I'm just blown away by what can be accomplished when I see photos that have implemented the right filter at the right time.

[CaribbeanCruiser]

I personally wouldn't group those three OTA's together in a shoot-out, but to answer where I can.  If quality is your driver, the WO is clearly the better of the two refractors.  If your WO option was closer to the aperture of the SV550's 80mm it would be a no-brainer but 80mm over 61mm is fairly steep.  The C6, even with reducer, is not really in the same ball-park of the refractors' focal lengths, however it can be a slightly underestimated scope in my opinion as well. 

 

Even with the reduced aperture, if it was me and with my experience of both Svbony and WO products, I would go with the WO on the basis that you are less likely to regret buying a WO over the Svbony. 

You should be a salesman! I went ahead and ordered the WO 73mm with Flattener.  Thank you for your input!