Imaging Telescope upgrade path

[ozstronomer]

I currently have a Skywatcher ED80(Gold) on a HEQ5 pro Mount with a Canon 20D DSLR Camera(unmodded)

I am looking at an upgrade path for the Telescope and would be grateful for some advise.

Requirements:-

1. Faster Focal length - maybe around F6 ish
2. Compatible with Canon 20d so there is little or no vignetting.
Flat field(if possible) If a flattener will help, which one would be recommended?
3. Size -maybe up to 100mm as long as the HEQ5 will handle it
4. No Chromatic Aberration
5. I have been looking at the W.O Megrez 90b??? any others??

Looking to spend upward of $1500ish - Secondhand always considered


Any suggestions gratefully appreciated :)

Cheers Geoff

[jjjnettie]

When I'm ready to upgrade, this will be my next scope.
The HEQ5 should cope with it no problems.
http://www.myastroshop.com.au/products/details.asp?id=MAS-066B
You might find a second hand one that will fit your budget.

[troypiggo]

Sorry Geoff, but... Takahahahahahhaahahhahahahashi.

Given up before we even did our testing?

[alfi]

hi
how about a meade / explore scientific triplet?
they perform well, and should ride comfortable on the mount.

alfi

[CoolhandJo]

How about an ED127? very well priced and if you serach this forum they are getting good reviews.

They are Chinese made, f7.5 with 952 FL TRIPLET with dual speed focuser!

Link - http://deepspaceplace.com/ed127.php

Link http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=52271

Link http://www.singastro.org/viewtopic.php?t=7357&sid=5f3c139b7a920e90885b80d5c3d4ad8 7

Priced within your price range too.

Hope this helps.

[ozstronomer]

Thanks everyone for the info.

JJJ, thanks for the link, looks like a great scope I'll keep it in mind.

Troy, A Takahahahahahhaahahhahahahashi would be nice... I'll put it on my Christmas list. She(santa) is still laughing :rofl:


Alfi, Yes a meade 80mm triplet was suggested to me and looks like a nice option.

CoolhandJo I've heard good reports about these , not sure if my HEQ5 Pro will handle the weight of the 127mm??

Cheers Geoff

[alfi]

hi
i have got a 80mm meade myself, and its a good scope.
the 127mm should ride fine on your heq5, it is the same scopes as the meade scopes, only other branding, so it should be a good performer.

alfi

[bokglob]

Yep, the tak! If you don't get one,you'll still want one,so just buy one now:lol: Talk to santarella about the great exchange rate and the special introductory price on the new TSA120,good investment,etc,blah,blah. Worked for me...:shrug::D:D:D

[AlexN]

Look around on Astromart in the USA... You could get a TMB 80mm F/6 like mine for about $1200~1500USD, and use a Baader MPCC to flatten the field, or the Televue TRF-2008 to flatten it, and reduce it to F/4.8 @ 348mm focal length.. I think 348mm is a bit short for most targets, so I use an MPCC to flatten the field and it works brilliantly... I get no vignetting over a DSLR sized sensor which is always a plus...

Its no Tak FSQ106, but its way cheaper!

The next best, slightly more expensive option would be at about $2800 USD for the Tak FSQ85... Now that - That will do exactly what you want, with no need for a flattener... Expensive for an 85mm APO, but you won't find anything that comes close in the same price bracket I dont think.. Especially when you factor in that nearly everything else will require a flattener...

The TV 102iis is another option, but its at about $4000 from memory, and at that price, Monte Wilson's FSQ106 for $3800 in the for sale forum looks like a mighty good deal! :)

The FSQ106 is -THE- wide field imaging scope in my opinion. the FSQ85 is the next best thing... Anything else is a sacrifice due to funding constraints, however there are options out there that deliver outstanding results and much less cost.. Just dont expect a dead flat field without chromatic aberration without laying out big dollars to get it..

[AlexN]

Oh, and if you really dont like false colour.. go with something that doesn't use lenses... A fast newt with a coma corrector will give a flat, moderately wide field, with zero, nada, zip, zilch false colour... 8" F/4 ~ F5 would be perfect, although the focal length is a fair bit more than your ED80, the results people get from them really speak for themselves...