New Scope TEC110Fluorite triplet

[gregbradley]

I just received my latest scope a TEC110 fluorite triplet "Eclipse"

http://upload.pbase.com/gregbradley/image/138569622/large

This is a calcium fluorite oiled triplet F5.6 with flattener and TEC's own focuser.

It is superbly made. This is a rare scope and I think only about 50 or less have been made. Its destined to be a classic.

Noone else I am aware of makes a 110 fluorite oiled triplet or for that matter fluorite triplet (Tak used to make them for huge prices).

I am now looking forward to first light to see how it compares with other widefield imaging scopes.

Greg.

[RickS]

That's a beauty, Greg! I'll be very interested to hear what you think of it after first light.

Cheers,
Rick.

[gregbradley]

Its a lovely looking scope. Perhaps even tonight if it clears as predicted.

Greg.

[strongmanmike]

:eyepop: :eyepop: :eyepop: :eyepop:

On ya! :rolleyes: :thumbsup:

Niiice :)

[gregbradley]

Thanks Mike.

It looks the part.

I have even managed to get it all mounted ready to image. Perhaps if the skies clear tonight.

Greg.

[icytailmark]

looks very nice i bet that was expensive

[Peter Ward]

Looks like a nice scope.

What do you think it will offer (in terms of performance) that is different from your current refractor ensemble?

[gregbradley]

Yes it was.



I am after richer colours that I think the fluorite lens and the coatings on the lens may deliver. Time will tell if it is any different or not.

Greg.

[Octane]

Greg, save your money, man, and use +20 saturation in Photoshop. :P

H

[gregbradley]

:lol:

Hey, you're using a fluorite scope!

You've gotta love Fluorite. It may only be a small difference but from the first FS102 scope I had I always prefer
fluorite when its available.

Also these TEC110 fluorites are likely to be a classic and rare as. Only 50 or less made so far and no guarantee they will
continue to be made in the future.

Greg.

[strongmanmike]

Just out of interest Greggles...you often mention the colour fidelity difference between Flourite and fake flourite, what is the basis for this impression? Is it quantifiable or just anecdotal..?

Mike

[gregbradley]

Its a bit indefinable Mike. Light scatter is quantifiable, colour correction is too much in the hands of other factors I suspect to be definitely quantifiable.

Its certainly not a large effect. But there was a definite change between FSQ106N and 106ED. It may not be the glass but perhaps the coatings.

The 106N has 2 X fluorite lenses and the 106ED 2 X FPL53 lenses.
However the 106 suffered from several other shortcomings like vignetting on bright perimeter stars (the dreaded black bar through bright perimeter stars) and a lack of backfocus. The 106ED has better colour correction so in that case it shows lens design also is a huge factor.

I have also read visual reports comparing a fluorite and non fluorite same model and they claim they can notice differences. Very subjective though.

One of the best visual scopes I have had was the Tak FS152. Stunning. That was a fluorite doublet.

Yuri is quite sure there is a gain, Roland Christen not so.

The main advantage of fluorite is more for the optician in that they can make colourfree lenses more easily with faster f-ratios. But fluorite definitely has less light scatter as the laser test shows clearly. But it would be very subtle. Perhaps more of an issue for visual users who want that last little bit of detail. So faster f-ratios with superior colour correction and knowing every last little bit of light is getting through with current technology is what its giving. FPL53 also is superb of course.

Also for example Berts 300mm Canon. That has a fluorite or several fluorite elements. His images seem superior to normal 300mm lenses,
Pentax 67 300mm EDIF excepted. It has superior colour correction for a camera lens.

TEC180FL F7 versus AP180 F7. The only images I have seen of AP180 are not impressive at all unlike AP155 or your AP152 or my AP140 which are super scopes. Perhaps its the fluorite that makes the TEC better in that specific instance. They are both oiled triplets. Again, very subjective as it could be easily argued its really the astrophotographer's skill, imaging location, camera etc etc.

So its a subtle thing. But then again a lot of these scope differences are often small improvements at large expense to achieve it.

I guess I will know for sure in a week or two!

Greg.

[g__day]

So you're responsible for all the rain and clouds! Beautiful scope Greg!

[gregbradley]

Thanks Matt. I hope it lives up to the expectations.

Greg.

[gregbradley]

Here is a graphic illustration of fluorite versus some type of other glass.

The lens is a TEC160 fluorite oiled triplet. The middle lens is fluorite, the other 2 mating elements would be proprietary knowledge of TEC but presumably an upmarket glass but not FPL53.

http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/YPKLTn2DlYAbnQJpynx2RCmOrUn7Nkt-QuvOyFcOcTpAQCodS8oqG62GZwzPv5UE8RB mBgX_UmLg5_aGnXBojGyFkher8M3KOAVC/APO160/TEC160FL_GreenLaser%20%282%29.JPG

The lack of light scatter means that bit extra gets through. What does it amount to at the camera? Probably not a lot but its there and measurable.


Greg.