Focal Reducer - Meade or Celestron

[DJ N]

Hi everyone,

Looking at buying a f6.3 focal reducer for my 8 inch SCT (Celestron) for astrophotography. Is there any difference between the Meade and the Celestron reducers?? I have noticed that the Meade is $70 cheaper??

Also, I assume the reducer screws onto the rear cell of the OTA, then screw the visual back to the reducer and then attach the camera??

Look forward to some replies.

Cheers

[xstream (John)]

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong but I think you'll find they both come out of the same factory in China now.

[mick pinner]

both are fine, from my experience it doesn't seem to matter where the FR is in the imaging train, l've had it connected directly to the LX 200 and also had it connected to the camera with an adapter behind a diagonal and no difference.

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

I agree with Mick; nothing to choose between them. Both would equally work on your system.

[Zuts]

Hi,

I may be wrong but i think the celestron reducer can be used for visual use to give wider field views while the meade one may be only for photography and will not come to focus for visual use.

[mick pinner]

the Meade will work for both visual use and astrophotography

[sculptor]

Photographing through focal reducer fine with small chip like DSI-II, but disappointing with 22mm chip like EOS-20D. Eg: moderate vignetting with Celstron 9.25", and severe with Celestron 11". For visual use, also get vignetting with say 40 mm eyepiece, severe with star diagonal.

[DJ N]

Appreciate the advice.

Cheers.

[Outbackmanyep]

Celestrons reducers are made in JAPAN