First light TEC110 fluorite triplet

[gregbradley]

The Trifid and Lagoon make a fabulous pairing in Sagittarius. So I shot this as I have imaged this before a few times before.

Taken over a few nights. This also has some O111 in it which I shot by mistake thinking the Ha filter was in the camera. It does add that much to the image but a bit of lightness around the Lagoon brighter areas which is pleasing.

The superb lens coatings and the fluorite do add a bit of an extra that I can notice. Its not a massive thing but definitely noticeable especially when processing. There is a richness of colour available.

The focuser was a bit of a problem in that it did not handle the Proline's weight too happily. I have since tightened the collet ring that enables the focuser to rotate and tightened up the focuser a bit so no flex there. The Proline and filter wheel with the flattener is above the specificed weight limit of the focuser. I haven't checked it since I did this tightening and I think it will be a lot better. I setup a support ring for the drawtube anyway so the issue is moot. This works and prevents flex and is a good idea for others who may be experiencing flex with heavy imaging trains. I'll post a photo of this setup. It works fairly well.
There was no flex issue with the Microline 8300 which is considerably lighter.

I replaced the TEC clamshell (nicely made but potential damaging to the scope and a bit weak for imaging with heavy cameras) with custom made rings.

Overall I am happy with this scope and the lens of course is a beautiful work of art.

Taken at my home observatory last week over several nights.
Not a very long exposure mainly because these objects are setting quite early now and I am happy it turned out so well considering how low these objects are and not in a good position to be imaged at all.

http://upload.pbase.com/gregbradley/image/139061080/medium small
http://upload.pbase.com/gregbradley/image/139061080/large regular
http://upload.pbase.com/gregbradley/image/139061080/original large


Greg.

[cventer]

Lovely Greg. looks like a keeper.

Do you have a comparison to the same region with your FSQ106 ?

[gregbradley]

Yes I do:


TEC110FL
http://upload.pbase.com/gregbradley/image/139061080/medium small
http://upload.pbase.com/gregbradley/image/139061080/large regular
http://upload.pbase.com/gregbradley/image/139061080/original large


FSQ106EDX with reducer:
http://www.pbase.com/gregbradley/image/79670533/original FSQ106EDX with STL11 and reducer (in hindisght the image is too magenta
and needs a slight repro to address this).

http://www.pbase.com/gregbradley/image/124811617/large FSQ106EDX with reducer and Proline 16803


Keep in mind there are processing differences and exposure total time differences and location is different.

There are smallish differences which you'd expect from 2 of the absolute finest scopes in their class.

The FSQ is more rugged but heavier. They are both similar sizes - the FSQ a bit shorter I think. The lens coatings look different.
Both are excellent scopes. The FSQ has a reducer which is just the bees knees! Yuri doesn't make reducers but there is an APM one newly out that may work on it. I also have a large Tak FS152 reducer that may work somewhat (it tends to coma in the corners). The FSQ's focuser is stronger. Both are awesome scopes. The FSQ is 4 lenses, the TEC 3 but the flattener has about 3 or 4 lenses in it.

Greg.

[RickS]

A very impressive first light, Greg, but the Tak images are lovely too!

[TrevorW]

Nice one Greg

[gregbradley]

Thanks Rick. I agree. Not a lot between them.




Cheers Trevor.

Greg.

[dvj]

Greg

Your blue horeshead is one of the best I've seen. Was that done with the FSQ?

j

[gregbradley]

Hi John,

Yes FSQ106EDX with reducer givign F3.64 and Proline 16803. A potent combo.

Greg.

[strongmanmike]

Great result Greg, looks very nice.

Most of us anguish over what to image each night, you have to also anguish over which imaging setup to use as well...must take you ages to decide :lol:

Mike

[gregbradley]

Too true!:lol:

Greg.

[sjastro]

Very nice Greg.

Steven

[bmitchell82]

:) I like my anguish. not what to image, not what scope to use.... when will these clouds nick off!!!!!!! thats my anguish

:) Nice shot greg you can definately see the differences between the sensors though, makes for a interesting event in well depth

[multiweb]

That's a nice fov. Bit bigger than the FSQ with the reducer?

[atalas]

Bet you have a hard time choosing an instrument for the night Greg! nice tight stars......good stuff.

[gregbradley]

Thanks Steven.



Most of the images are with the same camera but the FSQ one with the rectangular image was STL and reducer. I found the STL11 matched the FSQ and reducer particularly well.



No the FSQ with reducer is an enormous FOV. More like a 300mm lens.
Its the 330mm focal length. I may be able to get a reducer to work with this scope. That's a future project. I have a Tak reducer here with adapters for my TEC180 but the focuser on the 180 is larger and it does not fit on the 110. Oh well. F5.6 is fine. F5 is sweet though.



Yes, a bit of an impulse buy I am afraid. I had one of these scopes on order but cancelled and got a refund after it took nearly a year and there was talk of making a longer focal length scope. Yuri now has no intention of lengthening the focal length which is great.

[Ross G]

Hi Greg,

A beautiful photo.

Great colours and detail and I love the composition.


Ross.

[gregbradley]

Thanks Ross.

I think it is a good sign as the image is not very long, the object was low in the sky and yet it turned out better than I expected.

So at my dark site with plenty of time and the object at normal angles it could do a lot better.

Greg.

[AG Hybrid]

Holy S**T that picture is astonishing. Its amazing what an amateur's is capable of.

[gregbradley]

Thanks Adrian. I am glad you liked it!

Greg.