127mm Apo at Astrofest

[allan gould]

Very happy with my new scope. Shots taken with modded 20D (thanks Eric) and 5-10 frames stacked at 5min and iso800. Dark subtracted.
Field was very flat and shots processed with levels adjustment only. Colour was true and very, very little colour around bright stars. Have just ordered a Moonlight focusser for this scope.
Regards, Allan

PS Sorry for the jpeg artifacts but the RAW shots are very smooth

[AlexN]

I would prefer to see the images resized to 800 ~ 1000px wide, then compressed slightly.. your images will have much less artifacts..

They are however nice pics, and show a lot of promise! The M8 image seems a bit desaturated? or is that just my laptop screen?

[EzyStyles]

fantastic attempt allan. especially M31. very nice images indeed. keep them coming.

[Matty P]

Great images Allan, lots of detail and nice colour.

Well done. :thumbsup:

[peter_4059]

Allan,

A nice set of images for a couple of night's work. I'm sure the 200kb limit doesn't do them justice - looking forward to seeing the originals soon.

Peter

[h0ughy]

fantastic result Allan. Which model focuser are you getting from Moonlight?

[allan gould]

The Meade APO CFL with 4.5" draw tube and focus lock on the Focus spindle. Now apparently its a straight swap over for the focusers.
Steve Massey is offering this on the 127mm APO with LVW22mm eyepiece as an upgrade option. After seeing your trouble and Dennis' focuser then I thought that I would upgrade to the best as I'm thinking that in the future I will be putting a large CCD on the end of it.
Got it in the Moonlite Red so the scope would be colourful on the outside but not on the inside if you know what I mean.

[JohnH]

Nice shots Allan,

I think I will go the same way with the Moonlite focuser, motorised seems to be the best way to get critical focus though I was thinking about putting an accufocus on the existing crayford for now while I save up. Did you order in AU or directly? Did you order the motor drive (DC or servo?)

Red white and blue huh - very patriotic! Shame you cannot get green and gold.

[h0ughy]

Allan,

Are you getting a motorised focuser as well? How much was the upgrade from Steve?

[allan gould]

Thanks for those comments.
I ordered direct from Moonlight and its slightly cheaper than buying from Steve - about $US519 delivered to Aus in about 5 days. Can't wait.
You can get it in Meade blue, or green or gold. All the anodising looks very very nice.
Didn't get the motorised version although I was tempted to do so. Just trying to cut down on the use/dependance on a laptop.
Steve has the focuser available but at about $AU40-50 more. If you want it imediately then talk to Steve Massey.
For what its worth I've processed the M83 shot in photoshop to bring out the details and I'm very happy with it as there is so much detail in it. I've included a close crop of it from the full frame original so that you can see what this scope is capable of when focused carefully. Sorry about the jpeg artifacts again. If you take the image down close to the original size then you can see the increase in detail with out all the arifacts
Allan

[Astrod00d]

Great results Allan, it's good to see more images from the 127mm scopes.

What was the trouble you guys had with the focuser? Just that I believe the focuser is the weak link in my 127mm APO as well.

Cheers,

Rob

[allan gould]

The trouble with the focuser is when the adapter holding the camera is tightened up there is some movement so that the camera film plane is NOT at right angles to the scope axis and so you get different focus across the film/CCD plane. Also if you use the lock knob to fix the focus it shifts slightly and you loose best focus. I use a WO 2" coupler to the T adapter to insert the camera into the scope and that was far better than one with the safety cut out in the barrel which causes large movement. This problem can be fixed by putting 2 extra screws to push the brass compression strip in the focusser to give an even grip on the adapter. Mine had very minimal play but David's was horrendous. Quality control I guess.
I'm getting analy retentive in my old age and can do without minor irritations. The problem would just get worse with the larger CCDs so hence the moonlight focuser.

[Astrod00d]

Thanks Allan,

Those issues are familiar to me. Both come down to the design and assembly/setup of the focuser. I've carried out some simple mods which mostly fix the issues, perhaps I should put together an article in 'Equipment Discussions' or 'ATM projects' to explain what I've done.

Cheers,

Rob

[JohnH]

Sounds good...even a brief note here Rob. I use a WO 2" photo adpater - seems to get the camera flush/square to the draw tube ok, I do not use the focus lock as it appears not to help and I plan to put an Skywatcher electric focuser on anyway.

Rgds,

John.

[allan gould]

I would think such an article would be highly interesting

[Astrod00d]

Hi All,

Please check my post in ATM and DIY projects for some adjustments I've made to my 127mm APO focuser. Perhaps it will be of assistance to existing and future owners of this scope.

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?p=354998#post354998

Cheers,

Rob

[h0ughy]

At the risk of my life - -here is the new focuser I have only just received for the 127ED - and I got it in blue.

[Ric]

Great looking images Allan, you've captured some real beautys.

[seeker372011]

did you purchase this, if so from whom? was it a replacement for a faulty focuser?

[h0ughy]

It is a moonlite focuser, and yes it will be replacing the existing focuser assembly on the 127ED

[allan gould]

Houghy beat me with the photo, but here is my replacement moonlite focuser on my 127mm imaging setup. Am testing it out soon but I'm happy that it has a great focus lock as well as being collimatable. Best money Ive spent in a while, except for my xy shifter and TVGuider.
If Im going to spend that sort of money on a focuser I want it NOTICED.

[allan gould]

Holy smoke, David you sure tread on the knife edge - but at least you may die with a smile on your face:scared:

[AlexN]

not if he dies before first light :D

[h0ughy]

MIne is MEADE BLUE and I am sure it will stand out as it has a real big shiny chrome bit (the motor) - everyone like chrome look:whistle:

I am looking forward to testing this out when I do the operation. As you can see from ALans great images at the beginning of his thread - I look to getting something like this or better. As for the collimation, this is uncharted waters for me? Alan I noticed that the original focuser has a small grub screw locking the flange in place, and the moonlight one does not (only the case for me)?

[jjjnettie]

:rofl:

[jjjnettie]

They are lovely images Allan.

[allan gould]

David
Unlock the old focuser by loosening the grub screw and then the whole focuser unscrews. Screw on the new focuser. There is nothing to lock it in but it snugs up tightly with no movement. Collimation is done with the push-pull system inside the new focuser.
Have fun. I really wanted the collimation adjustment as when using the 127mm at very high power I noticed a slight off centering in the airy ring around a bright star. Just knowing it was there was enough and it will need the very slightest of touches to make it perfect.
MEADE BLUE?????????, but David it aint a Meade (just yet).
Ric- Jeanette, thanks for the kind words. Im getting there.
Allan