[SOLD] Tal200K

[swannies1983 (Dan)]

Trevor, thanks for your kind words. As you say, the scope might not be the prettiest to look at but it's built like a tank and the optics compete with some of the more expensive systems. A good quality mount is certainly required. My EQ6 handles it well but I haven't had the time to fully test the scopes capabilities.

It's disappointing that the original package (with the Crawmach focuser) didn't sell because I really would have been interested to see what images could have been achieved by someone willing to spend the time outside with it.

I spent quite a bit of time getting it up to the point where I could image with it. The original focuser design is a flaw (Bert would agree) but the modification can be done, as shown by me and a couple of other people.

I think the price is reasonable given what a brand new one costs. The adapter plate is now included but I have had interest from another Tal user so the plate might be sold soon leaving the scope in its original state.

Even so, it would still be a great scope for visual users.

[Den (Dennis)]

Originally Posted by Regulus

Can't believe this is taking so long to sell.
The links to photos you have are pretty damned good.
I remember when I sold 0ptics and specialist photographic equipment that the stuff these guys made was very good and made to withstand small nuclear bombs.
The Russians seemed to have one design philosophy and it was make it as good a quality as we can and don't worry to much about the cosmetic appearance, after all we aren't American sissys. Then make it to do a hard days work very well. After all the same product they sold to citizens and the west were used by their military, scientists and schools and they seem to have carried some of this philosophy into the present. And they are very clever at design.
My 1953 Werra III camera system is amazing and the 100mm Zeiss lens is still considered one of the sharpest lenses ever made. The difference between the consumer and military model? The mils had army green leatherette and the consumer/west got black. As good as a rangefinder Leica IMHO. Interchangeable lenses (35/50/100), Range-finder focusing with light-meter and Aperture/speed readout in the viewfinder and film advance by twisting the lens mount a half turn (so every adjustment was done with the one hand in the one position) and bomb-proof. Oh, and once you set an aperture-speed combo they locked together so you could change for depth of field or speed and the other variable changed automatically. Amazing design.
The Chinese got onto this in the late 90's and started shipping incredible optics cheap to get western money for the economy.
So the TAL is probably a bit heavy but the optics and mechanisms should be sound and if not it will probably tolerate serious tinkering better than some other name brands.
Good luck.
http://www.telescopes.ru/ and reviewed here and a dozen other places
http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=832
http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=713

Trevor

I have a Tal200k F8.5 version with the Crawmach focuser,
I am very impressed with how sharp this scope is. Collimation holds
very well. Cools quickly, If I did not have mine I would have snapped her
up.

[swannies1983 (Dan)]

$650 with postage included (up to a maximum of $50) which should cover most places.

[aokman]

i am partially interested, just to clarify, what is included now since its changed a bit from the start of the sale?

[swannies1983 (Dan)]

Just what's in the latest photo:

• OTA
• Finderscope
• Tal diagonal

Also comes with dust cover (front of scope). I can add the back plate (required when upgrading to 2" focuser) for $30 if required.

Dan

[swannies1983 (Dan)]

$625 including postage (up to $50) which should cover most of Australia.

[swannies1983 (Dan)]

Sale pending. Can't seem to edit opening post

[swannies1983 (Dan)]

Sold