example image for new-ish apo and new-ish achromatic scopes

[silv (Annette)]

Hey

could you maybe upload un-edited example photos of your 80- 120 mm achromatic or apo refractors?

As in: if someone posts a mostly un-edited photo of the object xyz taken with an achromatic 80mm scope, the owner of an 80mm APO looks in their collection and posts a mostly unedited capture of the same object?

And please, if there were other devices in the focal path, could you please list them?

Thanks a million!
Annette

[Poita (Peter)]

I could try an image through my 80mm achro and my 80mm APO and the 105 triplet.

Do you just want raw single captures from each?
What is it for?
Cheers

-Peter

[silv (Annette)]

oh, peter, yeah!

I want to SEE for myself how much of a difference it really makes, nowadays, to spend so much more money.

I have never looked through a refractor - and of course never taken an image with one. (photography being my preferred observing method).

Your photos - and list of additional devices in the focal path, if any, - would give me insight what to expect regarding color false-ness.

that would be soo awesome! thanks!

[Poita (Peter)]

If the weather is good I can take images through all three this weekend.

It will be using a QHY8 cooled CCD, I won't put anything else in the imaging chain and will do short exposures.

I'll see if I can grab jupiter or Saturn with the 5x powermate as well.

-Peter

[silv (Annette)]

excellent!

I'm not interested in planets. but somebody else might well be.

that's exactly what I was hoping for. you're a star!


"short exposures" means in your book?
I mean, we need to see something, right?

re no editing:
some stretching is probably necessary or otherwise we won't see any colors, at all, on any of the images?

[Poita (Peter)]

What targets do you want? Just starfields or something else?

[rolls05 (Roland)]

Howdy all. May I second that request.As a total newbie,I'm sure there are others like me thinking of getting a refractor but unsure of the quality of the achro compared to the apo. I know through the threads that the apo rules, but would a achro do for a first scope. I dont know. All I know is the price of the apo's are restrictive. Anyway, good thread Silv. A side by side comparison of the two would be great. And thanks Peter also.

[silv (Annette)]

glad you benefit, too, rolls.

peter, something with colors would be helpful.

so the planets - yes.
and a nebula.

not sure what the fov would be for NGC 3372 .
that would be a nebula I already know from my scope.
so I could compare that 8" newt, too, to all 3 of your refractors .

[will upload a frame shortly.]

[silv (Annette)]

NGC 3372 , 8 seconds, ISO1600 , Sony Nex-5N. (mounted on the empty focuser barrel, not even with T-ring-adapter kit, only 2 rubber bands )
exported to fit 640x640 JPG
scope: 8" newtonian 1000mm f/5 Eden Optics


1. unaltered RWA

2. luminance shifted - a lot - in "Aperture 3"
(that's an Apple photo library software with some basic adjustment capabilities)

3. same as 2, cropped

Don't look at the quality of the image, though. 'kay?

[rolls05 (Roland)]

That's pretty good silv. Not a lot of people have nailed this one from what I've seen. Bit more exposure time and some p.s work and you would be pulling some colour out of it for sure.

[Poita (Peter)]

After two weeks of clear nights, it is now pouring rain here, but as soon as it clears, I'll get onto it.

[silv (Annette)]

" two weeks of clear nights" - lucky you, peter. I'll bump this thread once in a while, then. thank you!

[silv (Annette)]

rolls, the frames are for comparison of the pure capture, not a post-processing contest.

btw: longer exposures are impossible with EQ5 with iOptron motor and GotoStar + 8"newt. 9kg load is too heavy.
eventually will have to either get a lighter scope or a sturdier mount.
that's part of the reason why I would like to have an impression of current achro models vs apo and 80 to 120 mm.
money is tight. maybe I can live with the results of an 80mm achro? or maybe, god forbid, it would have to be a 120mm APO for me?

there hasn't been a star party in months, now, and with this weather there won't be one any time soon. no chance for in-field comparison.

peters photos (or someone else's?) would be perfect!

[cjamo9 (Clinton)]

hi, yeah id like to see pics from the same scopes as you as well. hoping itll help me decide what gear to go for next. i like the second shot youve got there, the nebula looks heaps clearer than i can get in 40 seconds even.

[silv (Annette)]

bump

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

You'll get a better idea of what CA is inherent in each scope by shooting a bright object.
The Moon's terminator would be ideal.

[silv (Annette)]

Thank you
Sounds like a sound and scientific approach.

But the moon is not be what I will be imaging.
I would like to see the comparison in that NGC 3372.
That's the practical, intuitive approach.

Can I live with NGC 3372 as imaged through an 80mm achro?
Compared to Apo of same or bigger size?
And compared to my current 8" newt?

Thank you

[loki78 (Jon)]

If you're imaging, I would think there are so many factors that will dictate the quality of the image apart from what scope you're using it will be hard to give you a comparison. Location, camera, expertise being just 3 that will differ wildly.

If you're after an idea of how things will be framed, this site might give you a rough idea

[cjamo9 (Clinton)]

Originally Posted by loki78

If you're imaging, I would think there are so many factors that will dictate the quality of the image apart from what scope you're using it will be hard to give you a comparison. Location, camera, expertise being just 3 that will differ wildly.

If you're after an idea of how things will be framed, this site might give you a rough idea

i cant see any difference between apo and same size acro on this site. why such a cost difference. i tried one of the scopes in my stable on this site and what i see dont look anything like that. dont think this site is very accurate.

[silv (Annette)]

I'd like to see images, single frames, un-edited (apart from more light) of NGC 3372, taken with any camera prime focal on a not too old 80 achro and an 80 Apo - if there are more different sizes, all the better. The exposure should mimik what I would be able to get - like 15 seconds (or like the 8 I did on mine.)

I don't see why someone else must doubt the validity of this wish.
Did you read the posts, at all?

Thanks.