Hi all,
First of all, this is just an
expression of interest ad. After thinking long and hard about this, I am considering selling my Tal200K. This is a beauty of a scope and they are hard to find secondhand. I purchased this scope secondhand (after a long search), while I was in the US in 2006.
This is a description from the manufacturer
http://www.telescopes.ru/product.html?cat=1&prod=3
The TAL-200K provides an aperture of 200mm and focal length of 2000mm in a very compact tube length of only 550mm (22 inches). Klevtsov's revolutionary catadioptric design employs a sub-aperture meniscus correcting lens (like the familiar Maksutov) combined with a Mangin mirror-lens secondary. Its fast focal ratio of f/10, flat field, and excellent correction of coma, spherical aberration, and astigmatism (14 micron star images at a distance of 10mm from the optical axis!) make the TAL-200K a superb instrument for astrophotography, far surpassing conventional Schmidt-Cassegrain and Ritchey-Chretien systems. Every optical component must pass stringent tests. Interferograms on three axes of each optical set are retained by the factory's quality control department.
The above is further backed up by Bert (avandonk), who also has one as well
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...8&postcount=23
The advantage the Kletsov design has, ALL surfaces are spherical so making it easier to manufacture near theoretically perfect. The sub aperture corrector behind the secondary is designed in such a way that all light passes twice through the corrector so eliminating or minimising chromatic aberration.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...06&postcount=3
Some say it is almost as good as an RC! I think it is a bit better than an SCT and not as good as a 'good' RCT
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...11&postcount=5
ALL surfaces are spherical ( easy and accurate manufacture) and the corrector elements (lenses) in the secondary are traversed twice so negating any CA. It is a very cunning design worthy of Broderick. The images tell the story. My mount was not good enough to get images without 'JUMPS'.
The main mirror is tapered and also mounted by being held centrally and there is no mirror 'flop' as it is held and adjusted by six bolts for collimation
After some modifications, you only have to look at Bert's images to see what this scope can produce.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...8&postcount=23
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...92&postcount=1
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...19&postcount=1
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...12&postcount=1
So you ask why would be considering to sell it? Good question and I might be crazy. I have only ever used this scope visually, but I now want to get seriously into imaging. I have currently being doing some with my 8" Newt on an EQ6. However, it's a pain to set it up each time. I could image with the Tal but the image train used by Bert scares me a bit ($$$) and I just don't want to spend that much money for all the accessories. Therefore, the plan is to perhaps offload the Tal to fund a refractor dedicated for imaging.
As I said, these Tal scopes rarely come up for sale in classifieds. If there's enough interest, I'll sell the scope. I'll post some pics later.
Matthew from telescopes-astronomy sell the Tal200K for $1,800.
http://www.telescopes-astronomy.com....telescopes.htm
