Little Tak - first moonlight (photographically)

[Omaroo]

A 53.3% Moon tonight.

I finally got to point the little FS60-C at the Moon with the D40 on the end of it. Focus is a real bugger at this scale. I need to magnify the image, and that's difficult with a Tak because if its incompatability with the barlows I have. Anyway - didn't turn out too bad for a quick point 'n shoot. Definitely no CA at all - which is luvverly.

Nikon D40, 1/400th sec, ISO400, Takahashi FS60-C with flattener at f/6.9

Shot 1) Single frame

Shot 2) 5 frames mean-stacked in CS3 as SmartObject and colour toned down

Shot 3) Interesting as colour negative

[madtuna]

hey I'll swap ya for a nice W/O 66 petzvel I own :lol:

[Omaroo]

Heya Steve :)

How is the little beastie going for you? Any joy?

[madtuna]

havent had a chance with work and the weather.. but in April it's in my hand luggage to Florida to watch the shuttle launch :D

[Omaroo]

Excellent! The perfect travel companion! You taking a little alt-az along - or are you using a standard tripod? Either way - should be a fantastic view!

[madtuna]

ahh..hopefully your expertise can assist me here.
I havent yet got a mount and not sure where to start.
Either buy one here and take it over or buy one over there and bring it back.

has to be travel friendly...any suggestions?

[Omaroo]

Yeah Steve - I have a Velbon CX686 I bought from Bintel for $165-odd bucks especially for that little scope of yours. It has a fluid head which means that it pans incredibly smoothly - like it's (funnily-enough) fluid-damped. It's a great little tripod, but if I were to be buying a new on I'd go for a Slik Pro 500DX w/504QFII Head - again, possibly from Bintel. They're about the $235 mark I believe.

The only problem with tripods of this ilk is that the weight of the scope is bordering on the limit of the unit.

Depending on how long you're gone - take mine with you if you like! If I were you I'd buy one there - much bigger selection and probably cheaper. Just don't buy it at LAX.

If you want to go AltAz - then you're talking about lugging an astronomical tripod alonf too. Much beefier, but also much more to carry.

[madtuna]

mate that's a lovely offer thankyou! and I'll surely keep that in mind. I'll only be there two weeks this trip.

I still need to buy one though, sooner or later.
I quite like the Vixen porta mount aswell as the Bintel and Andrews versions but not sure how plane friendly they are.

Rather than hijack your thread I started a new one in the equiptment forum

[Omaroo]

More images up (stacked and negative)

[Dennis]

That is such a clean image, just typical of Tak refractors. I’ve looked through an FS102 and an FS128 at the Moon and the views were just superb.

Cheers

Dennis

[iceman]

Beautiful image, Chris! Nicely done.

[Omaroo]

Thanks Dennis & thanks Mike :)

These are crops - so if I can put a good quality TV Powermate to use I'll achieve better results I hope. 2-3x would be wonderful.

[RB]

Great result Chris.
The colour neg is v.interesting.

[ving]

that last one looks almost hand drawn... interesting :)

nice images chris :)