Suggestions needed on entry level ED/APO for DSLR photography?

[Robert_T]

Hi Guys, any advice, experience, recommendations on a smallish 70-90mm ED refractor for DSLR photography - where's the best Bang for buck.

I did see a 72mm Lorng Pern ED refractor for $499 in the latest Andrews ads - has anyone had any experience to share with this one, or anything similar.

I'll be wanting to piggy back it on a C9.25.

thanks,

Rob

[montewilson (Monte)]

Whatever you get it will need a field flattener too, I know nothing about this scope. William optics is a good starting choice too. You could also consider a second hand zoom / telephoto lens.

[iceman (Mike)]

I don't know about the Long Pern scopes either.

But for entry level, you can't go past an ED80 (any brand). I've got the Saxon brand and it's great for the price.

If you want a bit of a flatter field and sharper lens, start looking at Taks and Williams Optics, but then they're hardly entry level as you're spending thousands then, instead of hundreds.

As Monte said, with an ED80 you'll also want to consider the WO 0.8x reducer or similar, as there's a bit of field curvature in the ED80's.

[Robert_T]

Thanks Guys, hmmm, field flattener? How much do those run to?

I can see this new direction has some hidden extras to strain the wallet lining

[iceman (Mike)]

I warned you Robert, it's a slippery slope.. and the better you want to get at it, the more cash you have to outlay

Field-flatteners range from $200-$300 for name-brand ones.

Paul has done a review of some of them in the articles section.

[gbeal]

Steep as well as slippery.
Mike is out of touch price-wise.
The best rated reducer/flattener is the Televue. I should know I need one.
https://www.bintelshop.com.au/Product.aspx?ID=7387

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

Rob,

I'm no expert but the Meade Series 5000 ED80 is a triplet and works nicely without a flattener. Although the OTA is a bit more expensive than the Skywatcher etc you might save the difference by not needing another bit of gear - something to consider.

Peter

[h0ughy (David)]

or you could tempt yourself with a 127 ED..................

[Ian Robinson]

Originally Posted by h0ughy

or you could tempt yourself with a 127 ED..................

You are incorrigable hOughy .....

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by Ian Robinson

You are incorrigable hOughy .....

no not i

want an apple........

seriously if these scope prove themselves just over a grand......

[Dennis]

Hi Rob

I’ve found that with the (obsolete) WO Megrez 80mm ED II F7 triplet apo there is no CA but with the WO 66mm F6 Petzval there is strong CA evident, although this comes as no surprise considering their specification and price differences.

Again, the more you pay, the better you gets, mostly!

Cheers

Dennis

[Robert_T]

Originally Posted by h0ughy

seriously if these scope prove themselves just over a grand......

just over a grand?for a 5in ED?

[JimmyH155]

Look in the telescope ads. How about my Celestron 90 mm?? Any good????

[Screwdriverone (Chris)]

Hi Robert,

Here ya go,

PROED80 ED OTA Apochromatic refractor 80mm x 600mm OTA is gold in colour and features a 2" Crayford style focuser with a 2" to 1.25" reducer fitted.
It is supplied with a matching gold coloured 9 x 50 finderscope in a white holder, white tube rings, 200m longblack aluminium dovetail bar, 2" diagonal, LET 5mm and 20mm eyepieces and aluminium carry case!

$599 from Andrews

Enough said.

Chris

[Robert_T]

Originally Posted by JimmyH155

Look in the telescope ads. How about my Celestron 90 mm?? Any good????

sorry Jimmy needs to be an ED or otherwise apo refractor for imaging ...at least for me.

[allan gould]

After having seen SW ed80 and Meade ED80 I would recommend the latter due to its very flat field and non-existent CA

[dazastar]

Originally Posted by iceman

I don't know about the Long Pern scopes either.

But for entry level, you can't go past an ED80 (any brand). I've got the Saxon brand and it's great for the price.

If you want a bit of a flatter field and sharper lens, start looking at Taks and Williams Optics, but then they're hardly entry level as you're spending thousands then, instead of hundreds.

As Monte said, with an ED80 you'll also want to consider the WO 0.8x reducer or similar, as there's a bit of field curvature in the ED80's.

Acually William Optics arn't manufacturers at all, there resellers who have their brandname on the products they obtain from Long Perng. So - If you want the same quality, by a Long Perng at half the price of the re-badged ones.