Quote:
Originally Posted by SkyWatch
Hi Grahame,
There is some good advice there about waiting, but for what it is worth I got a Televue 32mm Plossl (62x) for my CPC800- which gives the maximum possible true field for a 1 1/4" eyepiece- great for putting the whole moon (and a bit more) into the FOV, and really nice for larger nebulae.
If you want a larger true field, you will need to get 2" eyepieces.
I often use a 13mm T6 Nagler (154x)- but that is a lot to pay for a first eyepiece unless you really know what you want.
For high power I have built up a range of eyepieces over the years, but a very good value range is the Long Perng ones ($79 at Andrews at present): I often use the 9mm which gives a nice sharp view at 222x. They all have 20mm eye-relief which is great if you wear glasses. They also have 6mm, 12.5, 14.5 and 18 in their range.
- and I often use a 7.5-22.5mm Williams zoom when I am using the scope for public nights. The only problem with the zoom is that it only gives a 27' true field at low power (as opposed to the 45' true field for the 32mm plossl). All zooms give smaller apparent fields at lower power than higher power, and a lot of people don't like them because they feel they don't have the same quality as dedicated fixed FL eyepieces. If you go down the zoom track I think it is important to spend a bit more and get a quality one. (Unfortunately Williams don't make the 7.5-22.5 any more).
GaryA: sorry to hear of your hassles- but I haven't had the same problems as you with asking for advice. Generally people have been very helpful, and rarely in my experience do they have an axe to grind. You might try the above as well...
- and for both of you: I found the diagonal that is provided with the CPC800 wasn't very good quality. I replaced it with a 2" GSO quartz one: and all of a sudden I got stars with proper Airy discs instead of little fuzzy blobs... An essential upgrade in my opinion. GaryA: you will also need to give the scope time to reach ambient temperature to get the best views. I have had some wonderful views with mine (especially after I got the new diagonal): and I have even seen something where the Enke division should be on Saturn. 
Good high power views are dependent on reasonable eyepieces (almost any eyepiece will give sharp views right in the centre of the field), proper cool-down, proper collimation (usually not a problem with the CPC800), a good diagonal, and good atmospheric conditions- so don't expect a sharp view over 200x every night!
All the best, and happy viewing,
Dean |
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tinderboxsky
Hello Grahame,
In my opinion, you will get a lot more out of any potential future eyepiece upgrades if you first spend the time to gain observing experience with what you have.
Given this is your first scope, I would highly recommend you put off any eyepiece upgrades until you have at least 6-12 months observing experience with the eyepieces that came with the scope. You need time at the eyepiece to train your eyes to tease out faint detail, to understand what is possible with low-medium-high magnifications, how the image dims as magnification increases, the differing fields of view, the effect of the moon and other light sources on dim objects, judging what DSO's are going to be visible through your scope etc.
But perhaps most importantly you need to gain experience observing in different seeing conditions (atmospheric conditions) so that you can properly distinguish between the effects of poor and good seeing conditions when assessing your observing outcomes.
Without all of this experience, trying to make sense of the many varying suggestions for eyepiece upgrades will be difficult as Gary has found. The many suggestions you see on this forum will be well meaning but made from the perspective of their personal preferences and experience. There is no one fits all answer to this. Spending more money without some experience under your belt is unlikely to deliver the results you are looking for in the short term.
So, my advice in these situations is to take two aspirins, lie down and wait for the urge to pass.
Can you find a nearby observing group, other interested observers nearby where you can try other eyepieces to help you build your experience?
Cheers
Steve
|
You reply is very true but I hope my reply to you all sort of fits into what your thoughts are referring too in a deeper sense. Thanks though. However one cannot make head way if he is not on the same page as you more experienced people are. When I joined this forum and others and having heard and read about where most of these new findings in our universe have been founded, is by Amateur Astrologist so at least I feel if you want information you do come to a forum like this and exchange ideas and not rely on a shop keeper to sell you something that is not quite there.
For instances with my Terrestrial Photography when you want to find something that does the job extremely well then talk on a forum or a specialist with regards to the camera you are using and you will get what you are looking for. You know I at the moment have a DBK Camera coming but don't have a clue also if I have the appropriate gear to run it, but the person i am buying it off has said I needed this and that and that is what i have done and bought the necessities to do the job. However I had hunted over the Forums and had come across this CCD and also saw the pics it took and where quite good after stacking so I have acquired that.
The frustration started really when i went to the Celestron Manual and saw where it says to take photos of the PLANETS use a Tele Extender with an eyepiece. I did not pay sucker prices for this extender but with the lens's I have and my Camera it don't work so what is the point going to Celestron when they cannot even set up an up to date manual for a Celestron telescope CPC 800. This is what I feel.
Have also heard there gear is also not the best at the top range but that's a few saying that and can be taking "with a pinch of salt" but that makes me wary even so. You know I wonder why they have made crap lens's for their Telescope? However thinking about it its the same for good lens's for Cameras also.
