RCX400 flattener/reducer?

[Paul Haese]

Ok, I bought myself an RCX400 and I am thinking that I might use it to do all my narrow band work in the city and then combine that data with the colour data from Clayton. So with that in mind I need the answer to a couple of questions.

1. Does the RCX400 series require a flattener to correct for field curvature. I can find nothing on the Meade site about the requirement to have a flattener.

2. If it does need one, which one do I get and does Meade make a dedicated one for these scopes?

Thanks for any correspondence.

[Gama]

No, doesnt need a flattner.
However, a reducer, is another story. When i had my 14" RCX, i had a reducer to bring it to f5.5 from f8.
It did slightly introduce field curvature due to the fact the RCX's flat field.

Makes a big difference in exposure an image size/area.

Theo.

[rat156]

Hi Paul,

I used the AP 0.75 reducer on mine, it worked fine.

Cheers
Stuart

[Paul Haese]

Thanks guys for the replies, well that settles that then. Reducer only. :thumbsup:

[PeterM]

Hi Paul,
I am using an Optec F7 reducer only with my LX200R. Sirius Optcs (where I work) stocks them. They are ideal for this type of telescope.
PeterM.

[Paul Haese]

Thanks Peter I will look into it.

[gregbradley]

Paul I would try out any Tak reducer you already have. Chances are it will work and have a larger corrected image circle than other types (apart from the AP ones). You'll just need an adapter to find out.

I used an FS102 F6 reducer on a 12.5 inch RCOS and it worked quite well (a bit of curvature in the outer 1/4 of the image thoug).

Greg.

[Paul Haese]

I don't have a reducer Greg. I just have the flattener which of course cannot be used with the scope as the field is already flat. I might have to invest in a Tak reducer though as I would like to image some more wider objects.

[gregbradley]

Hey Paul I just noticed this ad on Astromart - it may be what you were after:

http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=709173

Cheap too.

Greg

[Paul Haese]

Thanks for the link Greg. I will look into it.