Here's the first light image from a new-to-me AP 130EDF GT. Ha only so far from my backyard. With the AP reducer it has an efl of 615mm and is pretty fast at f/4.7. With the flattener about 860mm, so should be a versatile imaging scope.
Astro-Physics 130 EDF GT with AP reducer f/4.7
AP 900GTO mount
FLI Microline 8300 CCD camera
Baader 7nm Ha filter 8 x 15 mins
Processed in CCDStack & Photoshop
Larger image here
...and you can see the setup here
I was guiding with the 10 x 60 finder.
Great image Graeme, I am glad you have the wheel working again. Unless this was taken without it, I guess a wheel isn't needed for HA. Would love to see it turned into a full narrow band image!
Thanks Greg and Peter. Yes, Peter, the filter wheel is back in action after a little trip to the US for repairs. I've installed a set of narrowband filters in it so hope to try this soon. I'll probably be asking you for processing tips.
This is the beginning of an image of great potential. While I don't see the oversharpening that Greg mentions, the stars look a little elliptical on one side. Just an observation. The processing is excellent - very HDR which is something I like in an Ha image.
I looked at the image again. Actually I agree with John the stars aren't oversharpened. Those few elliptical stars in the bottom left
and a bit at the top right. That might be either spacing for the reducer slightly off, a bit of tilt or corrected circle not large enough for the chip (unlikely - AP gear tends to have large corrected circles) so slightly off spacing is the likely culprit. I have the 155 TCC and its very sensitive to spacing - +/- 1mm.
Greg.
Beautiful image Graeme. A very nice imaging setup you have there.
I guess you won't miss the Tak TSA too much. (I will take good care of it )
I love the look of the Baader Vario Finder with the AP scope, a perfect match.
This is the beginning of an image of great potential. While I don't see the oversharpening that Greg mentions, the stars look a little elliptical on one side. Just an observation. The processing is excellent - very HDR which is something I like in an Ha image.
Great set up too.
jg
I can see this too John. I think it might have been a guiding issue.
Greg, it's the Baader 10x60 Vario-Finder that Astro-Physics now sell as a finder/guidescope. I've decided to try this path for guiding. Optics are ok with a Zeiss lens. It does look elegant on the tube but has some deficiencies as a guider. It has a pull out focussing tube for coarse focussing that is fiddly and fastened only with a single small screw - not very robust. Astro-Physics say they are working on new accessories to make it more efficient as a guider, starting shortly with a support bracket that holds the focuser as well as the tube.
Beautiful image Graeme. A very nice imaging setup you have there.
I guess you won't miss the Tak TSA too much. (I will take good care of it )
I love the look of the Baader Vario Finder with the AP scope, a perfect match.
I don't think there's much in it optically between the two, Matt. I'm sure you'll enjoy the Tak. I hope it gives you a lot of good times under the stars. I think the AP has an edge on mechanics, a tiny bit more aperture and is faster as a photographic platform.
