AstroPhysics Riccardi Honders Astrograph 305mm F3.8 arrives!

gregbradley · #1 10-04-2015, 04:32 PM

My name came up on the Astrophysics Riccardi Honders list and I got notified back in January to verify that I was still interested and there was no guarantee I would actually be given one.

Then 2 weeks ago I was notified one was ready for me. Hence the rapid sale of some very high end scopes I had.

The new scope arrived today and its an amazing piece of engineering. Very solid, heavy but manhandleable (just) with some clever lifting straps.

I hope to have first light soon. I may need some adapters as my Proline + filter wheel + MMOAG looks to be perhaps a fraction past focus or maybe just right on it. Hard to know without setting it up. The SX Trius though may come to focus as the sensor is closer to the top of the camera.

300mm plus F3.8 with this new design is an exciting proposition and should suit my conditions very well (travel to my dark site and 3 nights available usually.

http://www.pbase.com/image/159699738
http://www.pbase.com/gregbradley/image/159699740
http://www.pbase.com/gregbradley/image/159699741
http://www.pbase.com/gregbradley/image/159699752
http://www.pbase.com/gregbradley/image/159699761

Greg.

niharika · #2 10-04-2015, 04:42 PM

now lets prepare for some

Slawomir (Suavi) · #3 10-04-2015, 04:51 PM

Great news Greg!

Let's hope winter this year will be dry and cold

Looking forward to admiring your new astro-images.

gregbradley · #4 10-04-2015, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niharika

now lets prepare for some

Hehehe. It is a bit overcast now you mention it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slawomir

Great news Greg!

Let's hope winter this year will be dry and cold

Looking forward to admiring your new astro-images.

Thanks Slawomir. I hope I can do it justice.

Greg.

DJT (David) · #5 10-04-2015, 04:53 PM

Awesome! Enjoy

gregbradley · #6 10-04-2015, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJT

Awesome! Enjoy

I'm going to have to get a trolley from Bunnings to move it as in its case its pretty heavy. The case is huge as well.

Greg.

RickS (Rick) · #7 10-04-2015, 05:09 PM

Congrats, Greg! When is first light?

Amaranthus (Barry) · #8 10-04-2015, 05:12 PM

Exciting new universe to explore - technically and scientifically. Enjoy Greg!

gregbradley · #9 10-04-2015, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickS

Congrats, Greg! When is first light?

Probably not this weekend but next weekend weather permitting.

I may need some adapters.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amaranthus

Exciting new universe to explore - technically and scientifically. Enjoy Greg!

It should make it possible to go really deep at times and show up things that my other images haven't been able to.

Greg.

Hans Tucker (Hans) · #10 10-04-2015, 05:35 PM

Stubbier than I thought it was...but nice. So how many years were you on the list before you were notified and offered this scope?

DJT (David) · #11 10-04-2015, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregbradley

I'm going to have to get a trolley from Bunnings to move it as in its case its pretty heavy. The case is huge as well.

Greg.

Its like that line in Jaws.."I think we're going to need a bigger boat.."

Logieberra (Logan) · #12 10-04-2015, 07:40 PM

Wow! You lucky duck! Can't wait to see what you can do with her

gregbradley · #13 10-04-2015, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hans Tucker

Stubbier than I thought it was...but nice. So how many years were you on the list before you were notified and offered this scope?

About 5 years. I put my name down within hours of the list being created.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJT

Its like that line in Jaws.."I think we're going to need a bigger boat.."

Yes that's fitting!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logieberra

Wow! You lucky duck! Can't wait to see what you can do with her

Its a her eh? Wow, hope my wife is OK with that!

Greg.

AG Hybrid (Adrian) · #14 10-04-2015, 08:54 PM

Congrats. And OMG you live in Sydney. Well that explains why its raining right now.

strongmanmike (Michael) · #15 10-04-2015, 08:56 PM

That's all

SimmoW (SIMON) · #16 11-04-2015, 05:14 AM

Can't wait to see the first light pics Greg, great looking scope!

I'd call HIM. 'Little Boy' , he reminds me of a small nuke.

gregbradley · #17 11-04-2015, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AG Hybrid

Congrats. And OMG you live in Sydney. Well that explains why its raining right now.

Yes I think it does explain it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

That's all

Cheers Mike, High five back!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimmoW

Can't wait to see the first light pics Greg, great looking scope!

I'd call HIM. 'Little Boy' , he reminds me of a small nuke.

Greg.

strongmanmike (Michael) · #18 11-04-2015, 09:30 AM

Or Fat Man fits too

gregbradley · #19 11-04-2015, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Or Fat Man fits too

Perhaps the Fat Controller.

Gee I've been watching too many Thomas the Tank Engines with my grandson!

Greg.

marc4darkskies (Marcus) · #20 11-04-2015, 10:37 AM

Congrats Greg - very nice addition to the stable!