A I'll then try illuminating the reticle with an Orion illuminator off my 12mm ill. reticle EP...if it fits. If not, I'll have to get a genuine Tak unit. Anyone tried this before?
So - form the Tak guys, what accessories do you most use in typical imaging (SLR) situations? The Tak accessory sheet is a killer to follow unless you know EXACTLY what you need. King-size PITA.
Congrats Chris on the new Tak, they're just a dream to use.
The Orion illuminator will go straight on the TAK 7x50 (as mentioned) and as for DSLR accessories, all I use it the usual t-mount and 2" adapter straight into the back of the TAK.
I'm glad I don't have to deal with those proprietary TAK adapters, a pain as you say.
Andrew - all I needed to reach focus with the DSLR was a Bintel 35mm 2" extension tube. Simple. Nice!
A new day - rain and cloud. Weekend coming.... I think that I'm going to try chanting to a spare pagan rain god and see if it can clear things up for Saturday night. Any one know one I can use that's reliable and not too expensive?
how many scopes do you own now Chris!!!! green with envy....
Less than 10 David. Jenny and I have a pact in place. If I get a scope - she gets another Pug. It's sort of a self-regulation thing, because guess who's duty it is to keep the lawn poo-free!
I don't believe that a FeatherTouch focuser is made for the FS-60, a quick email to the folks at FeatherTouch will confirm that, they friendly people to deal with.
As far as the 35 Flattener is concerned, I believe that they were designed for use in the TSA and TOA series of scopes, the triplets, not the FS, a doublet, an email to Takahashi America should confirm that.
Great news - the 7x50 finder arrived from Takaya in Canberra just now. Thanks Tak!!
The Orion illuminator fits just fine. WOW - with the focus control on the finder, and the cross hairs illuminated, it is incredibly clear and well focused. The gap in the center of the cross hairs is wonderful - enablng you to see the object without it being hidden. The etched hairs are so fine yet easy to see - especially subtly illuminated. Beautiful! Glad I got it.
I don't believe that a FeatherTouch focuser is made for the FS-60, a quick email to the folks at FeatherTouch will confirm that, they friendly people to deal with.
As far as the 35 Flattener is concerned, I believe that they were designed for use in the TSA and TOA series of scopes, the triplets, not the FS, a doublet, an email to Takahashi America should confirm that.
Cheers
JohnG
Thansk John - I'll contact them both. From what I can see, the same flatteners are used on the FS-128.
Are you sure about that, the FS-128 System Chart I have only shows the Focal Reducer/Flattener which is a different piece of glass, that works fine with the 102 or 128, gives you a nice wide field of view, you just have to make sure your Metal Back Distance is correct.
Are you sure about that, the FS-128 System Chart I have only shows the Focal Reducer/Flattener which is a different piece of glass, that works fine with the 102 or 128, gives you a nice wide field of view, you just have to make sure your Metal Back Distance is correct.
Cheers
John G
LOL! No, I'm not sure at all! Just a couple of sites I've found that mention that they are "compatible" or "the same", but these are personal blogs, so could be utterly wrong. I'll delve deeper!
I will try and explain it to you, , remember this is Tak......
There are 3 different Extenders/Focal Reducers and Flatteners.
The CAA is the same for all the 2.7" focusers.
For the FS-102/128 you use the Focal Reducer/Flattener, it is 2.7" in Dia and screws onto the CAA, a CA-35 is then screwed to the rear of the Focal Reducer/Flattener, screwed to the rear of the CA-35 is a Wide T-Mount (A special Tak camera mount), attached to the Wide T-Mount is your camera adapter.
The 1.6x Extender just slips into the 2" focuser and brings the scope up to about f/12 or so BUT you need the CA-35 (50.8) to give you the right distance back for your camera's focal plane.
Please note: The CA-35 and the CA-35 (50.8) are two different bits of equipment.
The 35 Flattener is different again, as I said earlier, it was designed for use with the TOA and TSA series which are triplets, not the FS series which are doublets. On the TSA-102 it reduces the focal length from 816mm to 800mm, the FS-102 has a f/l of 820mm. When you use a 35 Flattener in an FS series, I believe that there is not enough Infocus. With the TSA-102 you have to remove the CAA to get enough infocus. The 35 Flattener slides into the 2" focuser and the CA-35 (50.8) slides into it to give the right distance back for your camera.
All very confusing so I hope I have explained it properly
Gee whiz John - thanks so much for all of this. It's a great help! I'll have to look at how much things are and then get what I need in order of priority. Flat field would be nice for photography, but I'll take an unflattened image for now.
Easiest thing would be: "Check 'D' - All of the above"!
i've had mine for about 2 months now and only just set it up tonight for first light! (visual) weather here has been terrible.
i dont even want to look at all the bits i'll eventually 'need' just yet.
from what i've read the 102 should give pretty decent results without the flattener unless your using a big chip, but i guess the best way to find out is to get out there and give it a go.
Any one know one I can use that's reliable and not too expensive?
Jenny and I have a pact in place. If I get a scope - she gets another Pug. It's sort of a self-regulation thing, because guess who's duty it is to keep the lawn poo-free! 
