C11/Hyperstar 3 First light test shots

[multiweb (Marc)]

Originally Posted by AlexN

Yes I remember, and you're right.. it was silly of me to give up on the SCT... Severe moment of weakness... I am exceptionally happy with my TMB 80/480 though, and whilst I can see the awesomeness of the hyperstar C11, I don't think I could justify buying a C11 + Hyperstar for between $4000 and $5000 total, to have an imaging system with 20mm more focal length than I have now, just for the sake of it being F/1.8... Yes, it would make life easy, tri-colour narrowband images done in hours instead of DAYS etc.. I just couldnt bring myself to sell the TMB. and would find it horribly redundant to have two imaging rigs with the same focal length...

Just joking Alex. You got a good system as it is ,no need to double up. In my case I had the C11 second hand already so it made sense to be able to use it to do wider field as well. Last thing I need now is a x0.63 reducer to image at F/4 at prime focus and I'll have a neat little package all in one.

Originally Posted by CometGuy

Just some points to note:

1- DSLR's and filterwheels will block too much optical path in 8" SCT. You need to be looking at a C11 or larger Hyperstar.
2- Some Hyperstars will not cover a large sensor - check before you buy.
3 - Starizona sell a conversion kit for the SCT if it is not hyperstar/fastar compatible.
4- For small objects a more conventional SCT + Flattener will still likely give better resolution and detail

T.

All very good valid points. C11 up would be the minimum for a Canon body to be hidden in the secondary shadow. For smaller aperture thin slimline cameras like the starlight express or QHY8 pro would be better. Although I saw some pics take with an older square QHY8 on a C8. He was getting 8 diffraction spikes (the chamfered corners of the camera) but the pictures still looked very nice.

[CometGuy]

Marc,

I am planning to use a C8 Hyperstar with a QHY9, the obstruction is about30%. A filterwheel would NOT work with this combo, but I am planning to use it to search for comets and not do colour imaging (I would of kept my Tak Epsilon otherwise).

I might dable in Narrowband later, is there space to put a 2" filters in the camera adapter provided?

Terry

[renormalised (Carl)]

Terry, that would make a very good comet hunting rig. Would like to see it in action

[multiweb (Marc)]

Originally Posted by CometGuy

Marc,

I am planning to use a C8 Hyperstar with a QHY9, the obstruction is about30%. A filterwheel would NOT work with this combo, but I am planning to use it to search for comets and not do colour imaging (I would of kept my Tak Epsilon otherwise).

I might dable in Narrowband later, is there space to put a 2" filters in the camera adapter provided?

Terry

Yes. There are a couple of female threads at the back of the camera adapter that support 2" baader filters and others. That sits in a cavity right after the hyperstar lens before the camera adaptor.