I finally got around to processing my M20 shots with the new 127mm APO scope. 3x5min shots at ISO800 with 3x5min darks subtracted and stacked using DSS. Then into PS for levels and curves only. This is a full frame shot with no flattener or focal reducer.
I was happy with the colour rendition as well as tracking with the TVGuider. There is slight elongation of the stars in the upper left hand corner but I suspect that it was due to my camera not being absolutely parallel to the focal plane of the scope. I'll have to see if this is adjustable.
Finally an easy setup to use. Now for Erics modded 20D and I'll be OK.
If you want a full frame then PM me
The file is 45+Mb as a tiff and 6.3Mb as a Jpeg. It took drastic measures to get that under 200Kb for posting. Dont really know how I could reduce it meaningfully. I was interested in the differences between the different cameras (QHY8, 350D and ST2000 ) posts of the same object.
Even dropping it to 640x480 - which really looses any resolution - it is 350Kb in size. If you can tell me how to do it I'd appreciate it.
You need to reduce the dimensions first.. the 45+mb file is 3000+ pixels wide.
You need to go image->resize and resize it to 800 or 1000px wide first, then do a "file->save to web" and you can then set the jpeg compression to get it under 200kb.
OK - Thanks for that. The image is attached but don't know if it will be any better. I may cut samples from the corners to see what the stars are like as attach them as small jpegs.
Added an Eta Carina shot with same parameters for your interest. Note the slight elongation is bottom left hand corner this time.
I've attached 4 jpegs of extreme blow ups of the corners of the main tiff file so that you can see slight elongation of the stars is present but not enough for me to splurge $3-400 for a field flattener. May see what adjustments are in the focuser to correct this.
#1 is bottom LHS, #2 is Bottom RHS, #3 is top LHS and #4 is top RHS
Hi Allan,
Lovely shots. In the bottom right hand corner of the first photo is a small cluster or galaxy? Has anyone tried to zoom into this for a shot? What is it?
Would be an interesting subject i think. Just a thought from someone who knows nothing about anything,LOL.
Cheers
Duncan
OK - Thanks for that. The image is attached but don't know if it will be any better. I may cut samples from the corners to see what the stars are like as attach them as small jpegs.
Added an Eta Carina shot with same parameters for your interest. Note the slight elongation is bottom left hand corner this time.
much better Allan
i am so much looking forward to my 127 when it arrives
The scope is the "much touted-never eventuating" Meade 127mm. A blown up version of the 80mm Meade ED80.
As Ive mentioned to David Houghy, my scope appears to be different in the critical area of the lenses in the 127mm scope that people in IIS are persuing from China. The cell in mine is definitely different from that of Davids (as his pictures have shown) and I have a real feeling that the glass may also be different. There are some that suspect that the same tube, focuser and case are used to house different glasses / formulations to give scopes from neo-apo, semi-apo and apo.
But I guess thats the chance that you have to take . My scope appears to be identical to the AstroTech scope as discussed on CloudyNights, but without a real good look at the cell I can't be sure.
Just been on Cloudy Nights reading the thread about the AT127mm APO which appears to be the same scope and they have just annunced that apart from the first shipment that AT landed and sold out immediately that there will be no more scopes imported by AT in the States from their supplier. Interesting?!
The 127mm scope looks very similar (or even with a touch lower) in CA level than the new Orion 120mm EON scopes which is an FPL53 ED doublet. See the link below. And a lot cheaper http://www.flickr.com/photos/26350356@N03/2474933340/
The one interesting thin that is obvious between my scope and the 127mm AT APO is the star test http://ghonis2.ho8.com/051308moon.html
Mine is exactly the same both inside and outside of focus.
All things to evaluate when buying a scope.
Last edited by allan gould; 15-05-2008 at 08:51 PM.
Allan,
Thanks for posting the images. I've just joined this forum......great interface
I think that the slightly out of round, and that's very slightly, stars that you have in one corner may be the result of less than perfect polar alignment?
In the star test of my 127mm that you referred to, it is important to realize that the test was made during poor seeing conditions as shown in the animation. Star tests under turbulant seeing greatly soften the ring pattern outside of focus and can also mimic optical surface roughness as well. During a brief period of good seeing here through a cloud sucker hole I visually had a good star test, but did not have time to image it.
nice to have you hear, I have been to your website many times to look at your various modification work. It will be great to have you as a member on these forums.
Alan you have taken some nice shots there and it does look like your scope is similar to the AstroTech one however the big question remain weather it is the same as the ones from China. Also have you seen the comparison done on the CN thread showing the blue halo around the white post? Any chance you could do a similar shot to check if you are getting any blue halination.
Allan,
Thanks for posting the images. I've just joined this forum......great interface
I think that the slightly out of round, and that's very slightly, stars that you have in one corner may be the result of less than perfect polar alignment?
In the star test of my 127mm that you referred to, it is important to realize that the test was made during poor seeing conditions as shown in the animation. Star tests under turbulant seeing greatly soften the ring pattern outside of focus and can also mimic optical surface roughness as well. During a brief period of good seeing here through a cloud sucker hole I visually had a good star test, but did not have time to image it.
Looking forward to more images from your scope.
Gary Honis
Welcome Gary, as i wait for my scope (i hope to have it next month,) i can only hope that it performs as good or better than the ED80 i have. it looks very similar to yours and Allans but i need to confirm the lenses. i have asked the question?
Gary
Yes you could be right. I generally polar align quite well but this night I was so anxious to get some 350D shots done that I didn't align as well as I could have. Anyway I hope all the other scopes are as good as ours appear to be. My scope does have a little CA visually at very high magnifications and it's there photographically on bright stars - but for the price you cant ask for more. Liked your M51 shot - it was excellent.
Interestingly Marcus Ludes now states that Meade in Europe is selling the scope under its own badge name (see cloudy nights). Maybe Meade will eventually re-badge it as theirs?
Regards, Allan
Quote:
Originally Posted by ghonis
Allan,
Thanks for posting the images. I've just joined this forum......great interface
I think that the slightly out of round, and that's very slightly, stars that you have in one corner may be the result of less than perfect polar alignment?
In the star test of my 127mm that you referred to, it is important to realize that the test was made during poor seeing conditions as shown in the animation. Star tests under turbulant seeing greatly soften the ring pattern outside of focus and can also mimic optical surface roughness as well. During a brief period of good seeing here through a cloud sucker hole I visually had a good star test, but did not have time to image it.
I'm very interested in the 127mm triplet. How much processing has been applied to these images captured with it?
I see that the comment attached to the 120ED shot of Eta Carinae says "little processing". How does it stack up against an unmanipulated image from the 127?
When posting astropics, it'd be nice if folk included all details such as ISO, times, number of frames and the like.
The images have only been manipulated in levels and curves using photoshop. No sharpening or other processing. If you look at the first posting all the details are there. David, hope your scope is as good
Regards, Allan
The 127mm scope looks very similar (or even with a touch lower) in CA level than the new Orion 120mm EON scopes which is an FPL53 ED doublet. See the link below. And a lot cheaper http://www.flickr.com/photos/26350356@N03/2474933340/
The one interesting thin that is obvious between my scope and the 127mm AT APO is the star test http://ghonis2.ho8.com/051308moon.html
Mine is exactly the same both inside and outside of focus.
All things to evaluate when buying a scope.
I have been reading more about these telescopes. It sounds like focus is critical with the EON. Those images on the flickr site look poorly focused to me. The reports coming in about the EON is that it's pretty outstanding quality. The 127 optics not so much. Is the 127 even still available? I'm hearing it can't be obtained now anyhow. Darn shame if so because I'd liked to have taken a peek.
The prices I saw for the 127 were higher than for the EON 120. I guess you folk down under being closer to China get them for less. I think all things considered that I am leaning towards the EON now. It's available, Orion have superb customer service, it's the same price or less than the 127 which although a triplet, uses cemented FPL-51 glass while the EON doublet employs air-spaced FPL-53 glass.
I'm not rushing into it though, and will keep on reading some more. So far the jury has firmly swung to the EON but the trial ain't over yet!
..great interface
Gary, 
