[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by JohnH

Here are a few images from my first attempt with this new scope last night. The nearly full moon really did not help with the swan shot but I did not want to use filters as the idea was to see how the scope perfomed - in particular wrt SA and CA. I imaged with the Canon 20D (unmodded) at prime focus.

Before I imaged I had a look at the moon, Jupiter and Omega C with the supplied eyepieces (20mm and 10mm). The views were stunning (to me at least - I have never looked through a big refractor before). I found the focus crisp visually and the action smooth (I did have to take a little tension off). The cloud belts on Jupiter were very evident at 20mm with 4 moons nicely frames, with more cloud detail showing at 10mm. I did not notice any false colour.

Then to the moon - very, very bright! I did notice a thin blue edge to the bright edge of the moon but it did not interfere with a tour of the terminator with really sharp views. I noticed the the colour fringe was more pronounced if the focus was off and varies in colout to green if my eyeline was off centre to the eyepiece. Once these issues were addressed I found that there was no noticeable false colour. Omega C resolved nicely in the 20mm ep with many pinpoint stars, I did not try my Vixen eps out to see if they gave better results as I was anxious to start imaging.

I connected the 20d and shot the moon at iso 400 and 1/1600s and then Antares and the Swan at iso 1600 and 180s. No flats were used but ICNR was on, I have only adjusted levels in PS.

I seems the scope is performing well but would benefit from a flattener - the outer 15% or so of the frame has some SA - I think the WO 0.8x mkIII flattener would be a good match?

Bottom line for the $$$ this is a wonderful scope.

you must have shot the moon a little later than me, but all I can say is we have the bargain of the century. best of luck those that follow in our footsteps, and if your gear turns out like what we have you have a winner my eta shot was a single 2 minute shot canon 20D - obviously Modded (care of Eric lo incorporated enterprises patent pending.....). This will be a delight to use with my cooled Canon 350D 'O how I am looking forward to Qld Astrofest

There should be enough shots now for the Plebeians out there to make a decision now