#1861  
Old 21-09-2017, 06:45 PM
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PCH (Paul)
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Lovely binos Col,

I used to have a pair of the same Oberwerk 45/100's on a height adjustable stand for comfortable zenith viewing. The views were spectacular and so comnfoprtable to view thru, even for extended periods.

Last edited by PCH; 24-09-2017 at 11:57 AM.
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  #1862  
Old 22-09-2017, 07:41 PM
JA
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Bumble Bee

Hi Folks,

No they're not some strange pair of binos, although you could try if you have very wide set eyes. I just acquired the 2nd of these 2 lenses. They are a pair of Nikon 400mm f2.8 lenses for my take on the dragonfly array thing (x2 for now), - "Bumble Bee" . for a 400mm f2 ... (equivalent exposure) or 600mm f2.8 equiv. or 800mm f4 equiv. with 1.5x and 2x Teleconverters resp. (Need to test the Image Quality and acquire some more Nikon TCs before going crazy on that (the TC) route).

I now need to find time to make a fixture to hold both lenses on a mount whilst also (possibly/probably) providing a means of optical alignment. I need to rope in my brother for some of his wonderful welding work (Hi Den)

Best
JA
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Last edited by JA; 23-09-2017 at 06:54 AM.
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  #1863  
Old 25-09-2017, 04:57 PM
UniPol
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Polarex 6" F15 Photo Equatorial Telescope

Finally got around to assembling my very rare circa 1960 Polarex (Unitron) 6" achromat after a few years in storage in preparation for a ground up restoration. I'm hoping the tube and astrographic camera will fit in my conservatory as the mount alone to the top of the cradle is 2800mm and the tube perhaps a little longer. It seems a pity that the telescope is destined to be for display only as the construction of an observatory is out of the question. The complete set up has a weight clock drive, F4 astrographic camera and Polarex 4" F15 guide scope plus a 2" F10 finder scope and the cast iron base measures 800mm x 600mm. I estimate the overall weight to be around 350kg's.
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Last edited by UniPol; 03-10-2017 at 06:56 PM.
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  #1864  
Old 25-09-2017, 05:00 PM
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LewisM
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Steve, as discussed recently, you need to make your conservatory roof roll-off
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  #1865  
Old 25-09-2017, 05:25 PM
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Atmos (Colin)
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That looks fantastic Steve. Will be so shiny when restored
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  #1866  
Old 25-09-2017, 05:54 PM
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Slawomir (Suavi)
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Looks awesome! What a mighty mount
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  #1867  
Old 25-09-2017, 06:00 PM
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strongmanmike (Michael)
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Wow, great scope ...aaah the memories..

Mike
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  #1868  
Old 26-09-2017, 08:51 AM
UniPol
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Thanks for your interest guys, and Lewis, I thought about a roll off roof for about 5 seconds but decided it was over the top at 6m x 5m.

Last edited by UniPol; 26-09-2017 at 12:42 PM.
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  #1869  
Old 02-10-2017, 06:18 PM
Aelk5579
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I've got a Celesteron Nexstar 6se
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  #1870  
Old 03-10-2017, 03:07 PM
Mamba (David)
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TSA120 and binos

Finally got it all together and am very pleased with the outcome of my latest scope.
It's a TSA 120 on a G11 with Gemini 1. I have recently purchased a pair of Zeiss binos from Denis together with the Baarder T2 prism and because I was so sure that I would have problems coming to focus I also purchased the 1.7 GPC. I am delighted to find that I can come to focus by the use of a 2" TV x2 powermate and the standard Tak 2" 75mm extension piece used for straight through viewing without the need for the GPC, this means the 30mm prisms in the binos will not be restricted by the GPC which only measures 24.5mm diameter.
I have mated the binos with a pair of 8/24 Baarder Mk IV zoom eyepieces so the magnification range is 75 to 225, well within the TSA's capacity.
I spent last night observing Saturn and came in feeling that the not inconsiderable sum of money the binos and eyepieces cost was money well spent.
Dave Cooke
For some reason I am unable to attach photos but will post anyway.
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  #1871  
Old 03-10-2017, 04:02 PM
croweater (Richard)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mamba View Post
Finally got it all together and am very pleased with the outcome of my latest scope.
It's a TSA 120 on a G11 with Gemini 1. I have recently purchased a pair of Zeiss binos from Denis together with the Baarder T2 prism and because I was so sure that I would have problems coming to focus I also purchased the 1.7 GPC. I am delighted to find that I can come to focus by the use of a 2" TV x2 powermate and the standard Tak 2" 75mm extension piece used for straight through viewing without the need for the GPC, this means the 30mm prisms in the binos will not be restricted by the GPC which only measures 24.5mm diameter.
I have mated the binos with a pair of 8/24 Baarder Mk IV zoom eyepieces so the magnification range is 75 to 225, well within the TSA's capacity.
I spent last night observing Saturn and came in feeling that the not inconsiderable sum of money the binos and eyepieces cost was money well spent.
Dave Cooke
For some reason I am unable to attach photos but will post anyway.
Great setup David. Sounds a lot like my wish list. Though that dream includes a TOA 130 Cheers Richard.
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  #1872  
Old 03-10-2017, 04:24 PM
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Atmos (Colin)
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Very nice David, once you go bino you cannot go back
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  #1873  
Old 03-10-2017, 05:14 PM
Mamba (David)
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TSA 120 and binos

Photos here
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  #1874  
Old 03-10-2017, 05:20 PM
Mamba (David)
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TSA120 and binos

Colin, yes I was very impressed with Saturn and hoping weather will allow me a scan of the moon tonight even if it is a bit on the full side.
Richard, thanks but I'm not sure I could grapple with a 130.
Dave Cooke
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  #1875  
Old 03-10-2017, 05:47 PM
UniPol
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They look like a great set of bino's David. I've found my Tak "Twin View" bino's about the best I've ever tried so far. I think the TSA-120 is possibly the best all round refractor ever produced by Tak as it excellent for visual and AP. I owned a TOA-130s and a TOA-130NFB but think the TSA-120 is more versatile.
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Last edited by UniPol; 03-10-2017 at 06:14 PM.
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  #1876  
Old 03-10-2017, 05:58 PM
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LewisM
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Aw, I dunno Steve, the TSA-102 is hard to beat
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  #1877  
Old 03-10-2017, 06:07 PM
UniPol
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Quote:
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Aw, I dunno Steve, the TSA-102 is hard to beat
Yeah, and that one too
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  #1878  
Old 03-10-2017, 08:29 PM
Mamba (David)
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TSA 120 and binos

Thanks for the comment Unipol, I was a little nervous about paying out so much to a guy called Denis but he appears to be highly regarded on Cloudynights so I took a chance and right now I am very pleased I did.
Clearly you take better photographs than I do.
Dave Cooke
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  #1879  
Old 04-10-2017, 09:01 AM
UniPol
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You won't regret your purchase David, the TSA will give exceptional views.
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  #1880  
Old 26-11-2017, 07:51 AM
Kunama
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My latest scope purchase :

With thanks to Simon , I now have the perfect scope for my public outreach efforts at Mount Stromlo..... (I really never felt comfortable having people climb a ladder to my big scope's eyepiece)

For the princely sum of $250, I bought Simon's 10" GSO Dobsonian which had been unused for quite some time. The scope came with a perfect laser collimator, 8x50 RACI finder and Telrad finder as well as an extension tube.

Though dry stored, the mirror had a seriously thick layer of dust that had accumulated during storage. I got the scope home and dismantled it completely into its components, then washed both mirrors, the primary was left to soak for a few minutes before a soap and water wash revealed a decent mirror that had been hidden by the dust.

I then dismantled the focuser, cleaned it and replaced one screw and refitted it. Then I noted that the secondary was too far down the tube to line up with the focuser axis, so after a minor modification to the mounting, I had the optics aligned as they should be. A quick collimation with the laser showed all was lining up well but the collimation screws were a nuisance so out they came to be replaced with M4 x 30mm stainless cap screws.

Hoping for a "First Light" tonight

Who says I am an equipment snob

Pics: GSO 10", Clean Mirror, Collimation screws, Clean focuser and Finder
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Last edited by Kunama; 26-11-2017 at 08:05 AM.
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