I'm looking for refractor field flattener/reducer recommendations
I'm looking at getting a field flattener for my Orion 80ED refractor (among other things) in the next month or so. What flatteners are available that would be suitable for this scope?
Well, i use the Next Gen Maxfield reducer (0.5). This actually works very well.
Its really made for the SCT scopes, but i tried it on my 102mm f5 refractor which i normally use as a guide scope, and with the SXV-H9, the image is Magic.
Just be aware that some of the Vixen products tend to use Vixen specific threaded things, such as 64mm and 60mm rings to attach to their telescopes, which are non standard and usually a little expensive to buy.
Hi there,
How about the mogg focal reducer? I think they are made just for the ED-80s
They are just a 2 element design so don`t really know how good a pic you get through them?.. http://www.moggadapters.com/
cs Gary
Good question Paul, and one most seem to be asking. I recall Striker doing the same exercise, so maybe he will suggest something.
What I would suggest is you grab one of each, including the Mogg, and do a quantative test. That way we will all know. I want one for the Tak for example.
The optec reducer has a flat field diameter of 18mm....may be pushing it with a DSLR chip....fine for small chipped CCD's.
Do you really want to reduce a 600mm focal length scope to .5x with some vignetting.
.8x williams optic looks pretty good.
I would give the mogg reducer a go.
I think you want more flatning then reducing is this right Paul.
One of the things that concerns me the most is finding one that will give a full illumination of the 300D chip. I know Stricker used the Lumicon Giant Easy Guider, but I don't want the off axis ability nor the additional expense that comes with it.
I like the sound of Steve Moggs one. Anyone heard any reviews on it.
Gamma if the Next Gen is an SCT reducer for f/10 and works with the orion, what are your thoughts on the current Meade focal reducers? Is it likely they would be suitable?
I thought I had read somewhere that the Meade f6.3 F/R can be used on an ED80, how suitable is it?? Here's some info on a similar f6.3 SCT reducer and use on ED80's, but the reduction is only from f7.5 to f5. Its down the page a bit http://www.clearvueoptics.com/newest_products.htm
I've just remembered reading somewhere, cant find it though, that there is a problem reaching focus using the meade, maybe why there is an adapter that goes with the one you linked to Phil.
Maybe try a shorter T adapter, the thing that takes the reducer SCT male thread to a male T thread. Even just hold the Canon, with T ring in place, against the reducer (also in place in the scope), see if it focuses??
I've been looking into that Gary. Just don't seem to have the right length adapter with C thread one end and T thread the other. I might just bite the bullet and contact either Steve Mogg or Clear View optics.
Gama do you need an special adapter to get your Next Gen reducer to reach focus in the Orion?
I bought a T adapter heaps shorter (to clear the LX90 forks with my camera) than yours from scopestuff, Baader make an even shorter one than the one I have. I seem to remember reading that the 6.3 FR needs a certain distance extension between it and the camera for correct operation (perhaps for 35mm only). I know Peter in hobart successfully uses the much shorter baader with the 300d. There's an image of the 6.3 FR, baader T adapter and 300D on his site. I have heard of people using the Meade reducer on the ED80 so it can't be that difficult.
The "normal" distance Phil, form front reducer element to imaging surface is 105mm. Increasing the distance "increases" the reducing effect and shortening "lessens" it so I believe. f/ratio reduction is not what I'm look at so this might be a solution for me. I'll check out the site you've linked to
I think the Baader mount he uses is very similar to the one from Clear Vision. It isn't a straight through tube but is infact a lense system to still achieve the full 6.3 reduction. It's hard to tell from the picture but it looks similar
I notice that they have a distance of 55mm to the focal plane using a normal T-thread. From the photo's I have seen they seem like they would be OK for you short focus refractor, and in 2" format as well.
Yes I did have a bit of a look at them John, but they were starting to get up into the "choke" factor for me atm, which is why I was looking at just the 1.1x TV flattener (see link at the top) even though it will slow the scope down.
I must admit the ClearVue option is looking tempting. I could try the setup as is and with my meade FR and sell one or the other depending on results.
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