Go Back   IceInSpace > Equipment > Equipment Discussions

Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread
  #1  
Old 13-11-2020, 07:18 AM
glend (Glen)
Registered User

glend is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Lake Macquarie
Posts: 7,033
Fast Refractor for EAA - Suggestions

Long story, but because of vision problems I am moving to exclusive screen based EAA operation. As I only have one useful eye ( macular degeneration in the other), and the useful one is not great, I am moving away from reflector type designs, which require collimation (hence my recent sale of my f5 Newt and my CC8). So i need some help with identifying a suitable wide field refractor, that can be used for EAA (screen based display).
This will be observatory based, on my CGX mount (So weight is not a big concern), but speed is a factor in EAA, so f5 -6 maybe, and reducer setups would be ok, even though flat field is not that important. I am not fussed about perfect colour rendition, so an ED type would be fine. Please don't point me at TAKs.
Looking for reasonable optics, bigger the better I guess in terms of aperture, Doublet is preferred for ease of handling.
If you have a suggestion let me know here. Thanks.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 13-11-2020, 03:47 PM
astro744
Registered User

astro744 is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,244
I found this article which has a lot of good info. Chapter 4 deals with telescope selection.

See https://agenaastro.com/articles/guid...p-sky-eaa.html

I would think that if permanently mounted that an 8” SCT would not need frequent collimating and when combined with a Meade f3.3 reducer would give you 660mm focal length and a large 200mm aperture, ideal for EAA. The f3.3 reducer has been discontinued but comes up for sale occasionally on IIS.

If you are set on a refractor then these are mentioned in the article. I’ve used a TV-101 with a Watec 120n+ (mono camera) but this was for an occultation of Saturn one night. I do remember trying it on Omega Centauri and it looked nice but Omega Centauri looks nice in just about anything. I also tried Omega with my C9.25 at f10, f6.3 and f3.3 with the Watec camera and f3.3 is great to give a wider field with the SCT. I didn’t really notice the difference the faster focal ratio made or at least I don’t recall. I did pick up a used colour camera a couple of years ago but haven’t even tried it yet. I just haven’t quite caught the EAA bug yet.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 13-11-2020, 03:52 PM
ChrisV's Avatar
ChrisV (Chris)
Registered User

ChrisV is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Sydney
Posts: 1,737
Why did you sell you newt!!! Can't beat one for EAA. Nice and fast.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 14-11-2020, 04:25 PM
JA
.....

JA is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 2,945
Hi Glen,

To make suggestions easier, it may help if you could clarify if you have any preferences for any camera/s you were thinking of using in your EAA widefield setup (Perhaps some you already have)? Also do you have any preference for how widefield you want to go in terms of focal length? Then of course there's the question of how high to go in terms of cost. Perhaps that's already sort of answered in the no TAKs constraint.

Best
JA
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 14-11-2020, 04:44 PM
glend (Glen)
Registered User

glend is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Lake Macquarie
Posts: 7,033
Quote:
Originally Posted by JA View Post
Hi Glen,

To make suggestions easier, it may help if you could clarify if you have any preferences for any camera/s you were thinking of using in your EAA widefield setup (Perhaps some you already have)? Also do you have any preference for how widefield you want to go in terms of focal length? Then of course there's the question of how high to go in terms of cost. Perhaps that's already sort of answered in the no TAKs constraint.

Best
JA
It would be a colour ASI camera, yet to be purchased. Focal Length likely no more than 760mm, not less than 400mm.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 14-11-2020, 09:50 PM
JA
.....

JA is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 2,945
Quote:
Originally Posted by glend View Post
It would be a colour ASI camera, yet to be purchased. Focal Length likely no more than 760mm, not less than 400mm.
Given those choices and also your stated "need for speed" one scope I'd consider would be the Vixen 140ss or 140ssf at f/5.7 it's one fast refractor and reasonably unique focal length/aperture combo with 4 element petzval construction that doesn't cost the earth (TAK, AP, etc..). For focal lengths below that and if high speed is a necessity I would consider high quality (used) telephoto lenses something like a 600mm f/4, 500mm f/4 or 400mm f/2.8 adapted to astrocam use. At their level of performance they tend to be reasonably well corrected for flatness and colour and they don't have to be crazy money if you stick to manual focus used lenses, shop around and don't mind the odd cosmetic imperrfection.

What ever you get it would be good if it could support a full-frame image circle so that you have more camera options: Full-frame, APS-c, ±reducers, ±extenders, etc....

Happy Hunting

Best
JA
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 15-11-2020, 08:06 AM
gregbradley's Avatar
gregbradley
Registered User

gregbradley is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 17,877
Pentax 67 400mm EDIF F4 lens. You can probably get an extender as well.

Pentax 67 lenses have he most backfocus of any lens and they are quite sharp and relatively inexpensive for their aperture.

I have a Pentax 645 300mm EDIF F4 plus a 1.5 extender. I have used the 300mm lens extensively for imaging and its a great lens. It has double ED elements. What would that be worth in a regular telescope?

Greg.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 15-11-2020, 10:13 AM
xelasnave's Avatar
xelasnave
Gravity does not Suck

xelasnave is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Tabulam
Posts: 16,866
Get another 115 mm I find it is great.
Alex
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 15-11-2020, 10:38 AM
glend (Glen)
Registered User

glend is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Lake Macquarie
Posts: 7,033
Quote:
Originally Posted by xelasnave View Post
Get another 115 mm I find it is great.
Alex
Thanks Alex, yes it is a peach (as they say), and when I sold it I was not thinking ahead to EAA. From what I have found in my research, EAA probably does not require a Triplet APO with excellent glass (overkill). My investment will probably find its way to a larger aperture Doublet.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 15-11-2020, 11:20 AM
xelasnave's Avatar
xelasnave
Gravity does not Suck

xelasnave is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Tabulam
Posts: 16,866
I had a 150 mm doublet and it was fantastic ..occasionally a colour fringe but sharp as.
I gave it away which I now regret as I could have given it to you.
Alex
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 16-11-2020, 11:11 AM
mldee's Avatar
mldee (Mike)
Photon sorter

mldee is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Near Warwick, Qld, Australia
Posts: 648
How many interested in EAA?

As an aside to Glen's comments, I also am interested in EAA, having just completed my dark sky RO Obs in time for my 77th birthday and ongoing failing eyesight and general doddiness.

The idea of being able to watch Sharpcap or such do its thing from in the house on a large screen TV in real time is appealing, rather than hunching over a PC and starting hours of post processing. That can come later, if desired.

Anyway, I don't know the procedure for finding out how many IIS members are doing / or considering EAA, and if a separate EAA Discussion forum would be desirable. Personally, I'd like to see one.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 16-11-2020, 03:51 PM
ChrisV's Avatar
ChrisV (Chris)
Registered User

ChrisV is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Sydney
Posts: 1,737
Would be good. Howie & I asked for one a few years ago, but it didn't get a response.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mldee View Post
As an aside to Glen's comments, I also am interested in EAA, having just completed my dark sky RO Obs in time for my 77th birthday and ongoing failing eyesight and general doddiness.

The idea of being able to watch Sharpcap or such do its thing from in the house on a large screen TV in real time is appealing, rather than hunching over a PC and starting hours of post processing. That can come later, if desired.

Anyway, I don't know the procedure for finding out how many IIS members are doing / or considering EAA, and if a separate EAA Discussion forum would be desirable. Personally, I'd like to see one.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 16-11-2020, 06:31 PM
xelasnave's Avatar
xelasnave
Gravity does not Suck

xelasnave is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Tabulam
Posts: 16,866
I must admit I like the idea as I have been exploring various objects in LMC using Ha and very high gain and exposures longer and higher than if I was seeking to construct an image..just to see the thing..in fact that was what I did when into visual exclusively was to explore rather than go out to observe a particular object...thinking about it I could see two units set up one to photograph and one to observe..and I think the main reason I don't do visual like I once did was it requires standing and often strange contortions..I like the idea of a nice chair and a screen...a 120 to 150 doublet would do the job nicely I expect.
Alex
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 16-11-2020, 11:43 PM
Hemi
Registered User

Hemi is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Darwin
Posts: 608
I’ve been doing EAA for years now. There is a great forum on cloudy entirely dedicated to it. Full of excellent advice and information. I remember a very abusive thread on here when I first joined, about “video astronomy” not being proper astronomy etc, put me right off, and went elsewhere for a long while... glad to say the main proponent of the vitriol hardly posts now.

Anyway Glen, I use my ES102 with a 294 mc pro for EAA. It works well, although not as well as my c925 and same camera. I find the sct really versatile for EAA. It’s a great way to observe and compliments visual really well, as well as note keeping. It’s also an astronomy lifeline in the tropics where you can sit inside in air con for half the year instead of sweating at the eyepiece at 4am

Best

Hemi
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 17-11-2020, 08:29 AM
mldee's Avatar
mldee (Mike)
Photon sorter

mldee is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Near Warwick, Qld, Australia
Posts: 648
Looks like there are at least a few who would be interested in an EAA thread, although to paraphrase an old saying - "A few EAA fans does not a forum make".

Perhaps a simple survey would be a start, or even a response from whomever looks after IIS issues these days. Comments and advice welcome.

Hopefully technology and associated costs have moved on enough that there is more incentive to try. I've always been a fan of mossieless AC viewing rooms while the imaging computers do their thing.

Thanks Hemi for the heads up on the CN site, sounds worth a look.

My apologies for hijacking the thread Glen, but spent my youth in Toronto/Coal Point, so back to you.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 17-11-2020, 08:05 PM
lollywater's Avatar
lollywater (Paul)
Registered User

lollywater is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: bendigo,victoria,australia
Posts: 34
I do videoastronomy . I have a Skywatcher Esprit 80 f5 with a Starizona Apex-Ed 0.65 focal reducer which takes it to about F3.3 .I virtually never do stacks more than 3 minutes in total with exposures around 10 to 15 secs.
I have trouble getting decent images with my sct .Heaps of coma and vignetting.I am happy with the rasa,the newt and the refractors.

The EAA CN site is not what it used to be. A lot of the star performers no longer post.Some of them now post on Deep Sky Imaging.
cheers
Paul

Last edited by lollywater; 17-11-2020 at 08:41 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 18-11-2020, 07:04 AM
glend (Glen)
Registered User

glend is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Lake Macquarie
Posts: 7,033
I have been reading a few threads on the CN EAA forum, and ASI Studio software seems to be used by a fair number of folks just starting out. It is free from ZWO and has a number of modules, obviously for ASI cameras. Simplest setup seems to be a fast scope, an ASI camera connected by USB to a laptop and ASI Studio (ASI Live). Anyone here using ASI Studio for EAA?
Since I am observatory based, and never have to do a setup or alignment, I could in theory leave it all setup and just power up for any session. I have no real desire to save video or images, as I have many years worth of wonderful traditional astro images on my backup drives.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 18-11-2020, 08:59 AM
lollywater's Avatar
lollywater (Paul)
Registered User

lollywater is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: bendigo,victoria,australia
Posts: 34
I have an ASIair pro which is my grab and go setup without the need for a laptop.There has been very little going anywhere this year so I occasionally use it at home just to remind myself how to use it. I have used ASI studio at home also ,but only a few times as I still prefer sharpcap when using a laptop
cheers
Paul
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 18-11-2020, 09:35 AM
rustigsmed's Avatar
rustigsmed (Russell)
Registered User

rustigsmed is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Mornington Peninsula, Australia
Posts: 3,950
hi glen,
i know this might be a bit bigger than what you were thinking but perhaps worth a look, 6" f5.9, should be fairly big and bright.

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop...Objective.html

cheers
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 18-11-2020, 10:40 AM
glend (Glen)
Registered User

glend is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Lake Macquarie
Posts: 7,033
Quote:
Originally Posted by rustigsmed View Post
hi glen,
i know this might be a bit bigger than what you were thinking but perhaps worth a look, 6" f5.9, should be fairly big and bright.

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop...Objective.html

cheers
Haha, not at all Russell, you have read my mind. I have been looking very closely at that scope, in fact i had just mentioned it in a PM to Dunk. It is nice and fast. It will accept the TS 0.79 reducer corrector, dropping it from f5.9 to f4.6 @ 700mm fl. However, it might be too long for good wide field EAA use. And don't point it at anything too bright without a fringe killer on it.

Another possibility is the TS80 6-element Flat field APO at an amazing f4.4. It would seem ideal with great colour and a focal length of just under 400mm.

Last edited by glend; 18-11-2020 at 11:06 AM.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +10. The time is now 05:16 AM.

Powered by vBulletin Version 3.8.7 | Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Advertisement
Bintel
Advertisement
Testar
Advertisement