Review: Refractor and Focal Reducer Trials

[iceman (Mike)]

Hi all

Paul Russell ([1ponders]) has written a very informative review comparing a number of focal reducers in combination with his ED80, titled Refractor and Focal Reducer Trials.

You can read the review on the IceInSpace Reviews page, or directly by clicking on the link below:

Refractor and Focal Reducer Trials

Thanks to Paul for writing the review. If you'd like to submit an article or review to IceInSpace, please contact me.

[iceman (Mike)]

Review uploaded.

[Octane (Humayun)]

This is an excellent review and I can't believe no-one's commented on it! I found it to be very helpful.

I never had any luck with a Meade 0.63x focal reducer when I had my 8" LX90 LNT.

Would the new version III William Optics focal reducer/field flattener be any good with an Orion ED80 (Saxon, actually, but, both taste like pineapple), or is it designed for larger aperture scopes? Should I just stick with the version II?

I will be imaging with a Canon EOS-350D.

Thanks for the great work, Paul.

Regards,
Humayun

[Astrod00d]

Originally Posted by Octane

This is an excellent review and I can't believe no-one's commented on it! I found it to be very helpful.

Would the new version III William Optics focal reducer/field flattener be any good with an Orion ED80 (Saxon, actually, but, both taste like pineapple), or is it designed for larger aperture scopes? Should I just stick with the version II?

I will be imaging with a Canon EOS-350D.

Thanks for the great work, Paul.

Regards,
Humayun

Yes, indeed it's a great review and I've found it very useful. Thank you Paul for your great effort and thanks to Humayun for reminding us of it!

I did try the WO pflat III with my ED80 and I found that it overcorrected. The corner stars looked like little crosses.
Now I have a pflat II which seems to work better with the ED80 (but I haven't used it much since I got the 127mm APO)

Cheers,

Rob

[Octane (Humayun)]

Rob,

Thanks for that! I'll save myself the $100 (approximately) and get the version II.

Cheers.

Regards,
Humayun

Originally Posted by Astrod00d

Yes, indeed it's a great review and I've found it very useful. Thank you Paul for your great effort and thanks to Humayun for reminding us of it!

I did try the WO pflat III with my ED80 and I found that it overcorrected. The corner stars looked like little crosses.
Now I have a pflat II which seems to work better with the ED80 (but I haven't used it much since I got the 127mm APO)

Cheers,

Rob

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Thanks guys. You're right about the III Rob, there are over-correction issues with it and the ED80.