Putting the Tak FS60CB to the test

[pmrid]

My 60CB turned up yesterday and I couldn't get it out of the box fast enough. I bought it to use both visually and for imaging "on the road" when I get around to doing a grey nomad number. First test was to see what it could do with my Tak LE 3.6 eyepiece. And wow!! Maybe my eyes are not what they once were - in fact I know they're not - but I could not detect any CA at all. None. So I worked upwards through 6.4, 9.7, 12 and 15mm eyepieces and I'm truly converted by this little wonder of a scope.

Next step was to put a camera on it - in this case my new Olympus OM-D E-M1. And once again, the result was amazing. The combination produces an image scale of 2.18 as/p and a FOV of 2.1 x 2.8 degrees. My intention is to mount them on a StatLapse from Losmandy/OPT which is somewhere en-route and hopefully will rock up tomorrow. That'll give me the means to do good polar alignments and the strength to hold up to 4 or 5 kilos of imaging gear safely and without degrading performance.

I really can't wait to get cracking with this outfit.

Peter

[RickS]

Look forward to seeing some images from that combo, Peter! My FS60 is severely under utilised with occasional duties as a guide scope.

[gbeal]

I've got one as well,and it certainly punches well above it's weight. It will eventually make the FS78 redundant I fear (for solar imaging).
If you get the chance, obtain an SM40 or SM60 and BF5 or BF10, for your nomadic lifestyle.
Amazing.
Gary

[Kunama]

Very interested to read this Peter, I use mine with the LVW 3.5mm (100x)
for lunar viewing through the Tak 1.5" prism and love it. Just need to get a smaller mount for true portability.
I also just received the Pentax XF eyepieces from the US so will try them out tonight.