First light new ED127

telecasterguru (Frank) · #1 26-04-2009, 12:50 PM

My new ED127 arrived on Wednesday.
Took it out for a trial last night. Seeing was OK but high clouds rolled in.
Just for a start went for something easy. Eta Carina 4 x 300s ISO800 1000D PHD guided with ED80 on EQ6. DSS and a little curves and levels in PS. Auto dark subtraction no flats.
Camera straight into focuser. Unfortunately, I wanted to use the Meade focal reducer/field flattener but could not reach focus with them, any suggestions? Will a Moonlite focuser help? Don't want to cut the tube, that's for sure.
Thanks
Frank

h0ughy (David) · #2 26-04-2009, 01:47 PM

As a fellow 127ED owner - can you post some pictures of your focuser. if you do a search you will see the original focuser that these came out with - if nothing has changed then getting a new motor drive moonlite will be a godsend. i haven't used a reducer flattener with mine yet, though i am sure that Alan Gould may have. Not too bad for the first shots - stars look even across the field of view.

What were your initial impressions fo the scope when you first set eyes on it?

have you looked at jupiter and saturn with it yet? I found the view quite stunning

bloodhound31 · #3 26-04-2009, 02:50 PM

Isn't it amazing what a small refractor and a DSLR will do these days with such a short amount of subs?

I like the camera colours there mate. What do you think of the 1000D?

Baz

peeb61 (Paul) · #4 26-04-2009, 03:37 PM

Nice one Frank,
Nice colours and very tight stars...I want an ED127!

Paul

allan gould · #5 26-04-2009, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h0ughy

As a fellow 127ED owner - can you post some pictures of your focuser. if you do a search you will see the original focuser that these came out with - if nothing has changed then getting a new motor drive moonlite will be a godsend. i haven't used a reducer flattener with mine yet, though i am sure that Alan Gould may have. Not too bad for the first shots - stars look even across the field of view.

What were your initial impressions fo the scope when you first set eyes on it?

have you looked at jupiter and saturn with it yet? I found the view quite stunning

You don't need to use a flattener with this scope when using a DSLR. I never have

Astrod00d · #6 26-04-2009, 04:44 PM

Congratulations on your new ED127 Frank, you've got a great first result there. Focus is sharp. Field flatness is very good except perhaps in the lower right corner where the stars look slightly elongated... This may be a camera tilt issue rather than the scope optics, I observed similar with my ED127.
The ED127 will give sterling service provided the focuser holds together. I had to re-build my ED127 focuser before it'd work properly and I still wish for a MoonLite focuser like Dave's.
I've also tried using a Meade focal reducer and could not focus. I'm not sure if the Meade FR would be a good match for the ED127 in any case. I have a William Optics Pflat-2 that I intend to try out with the ED127 just as soon as I can get the correct spacer for my QHY8.

Dave - the Moonlite motorized focuser... Just how long is that motor housing? Looking at the photos, it sticks out way more than a dual-speed focuser knob. I wonder, if I got one, would it fit into my existing scope case?

(Yes I really want to get a Moonlite focuser

)

Cheers,

Rob

gregbradley · #7 26-04-2009, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by telecasterguru

My new ED127 arrived on Wednesday.
Took it out for a trial last night. Seeing was OK but high clouds rolled in.
Just for a start went for something easy. Eta Carina 4 x 300s ISO800 1000D PHD guided with ED80 on EQ6. DSS and a little curves and levels in PS. Auto dark subtraction no flats.
Camera straight into focuser. Unfortunately, I wanted to use the Meade focal reducer/field flattener but could not reach focus with them, any suggestions? Will a Moonlite focuser help? Don't want to cut the tube, that's for sure.
Thanks
Frank

You could try the Televue focal reducer/flatteners. They are matched for different focal lengths.

I had one with a WO 80mm F6 and it was very good.

Greg.

telecasterguru (Frank) · #8 26-04-2009, 08:13 PM

Thanks for the advide everyone.
I must admit that I am not that unhappy with the stock focuser that came with the scope. It just needed a bit of tightening, although I think I will save for a Moonlite.
There were three focuser options when I ordered it, the standard, a crayford dual (which I ordered) and a motorised.
The reducer/flattener was only an idea. F7.5 down to around F6? Gotta try these things.
As well I also got my first Horse Head last night with the
ED 127, WooHoo. Unfortunately the LP beat me up a little and the centre of the image is a little washy and my PS skills aren't up to removing the light. (any suggestions greatly received on how to do this) I will be looking for a LP filter this week and hopefully getting to a dark site. I can't believe how large the HH is in the image.
All in all I am very happy with the ED 127 and it looks fantastic on the mount.
Will be posting more images next week weather permitting.
Frank

DavidU (Dave) · #9 26-04-2009, 09:42 PM

Thats a great image Frank

You have a Telecaster?

h0ughy (David) · #10 26-04-2009, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allan gould

You don't need to use a flattener with this scope when using a DSLR. I never have

sorry Allan, I thought that you had. now i was speaking to someone that had actually done this?????

Alchemy (Clive) · #11 27-04-2009, 05:59 AM

quite good, doesnt appear to be a need for a flattener to me from the pic. the focus looks good, so maybee the focuser is just fine.... if it aint broke why fix it ?

clive

telecasterguru (Frank) · #12 27-04-2009, 07:22 AM

I am also starting to think that way about the focuser. If it aint broke why fix it.
About the Telecaster, yes I have a Telecaster. In fact I have a number of them, amongst others and a recording studio in the attic.

Frank

allan gould · #13 27-04-2009, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by telecasterguru

I am also starting to think that way about the focuser. If it aint broke why fix it.
About the Telecaster, yes I have a Telecaster. In fact I have a number of them, amongst others and a recording studio in the attic.

Frank

The focuser on my 127 was pretty good, except that I had to be carefull about putting a DSLR into it. It would shift axially when tightened up to give off - axis coma. A Moonlight focuser for this scope was the best investment that I ever made, do it and you will never regret it.

telecasterguru (Frank) · #14 27-04-2009, 09:27 AM

Thanks Allan, I have some thinking to do.

Frank

Hagar (Doug) · #15 27-04-2009, 09:42 AM

Nice first light. Focus looks good accross the entire image, so I doubt you have any focuser sag.

RB (Andrew) · #16 27-04-2009, 10:36 AM

Congrats on the new scope Frank and nice first light.
Looking forward to more.

Clear Skies.

DavidU (Dave) · #17 29-04-2009, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by telecasterguru

I am also starting to think that way about the focuser. If it aint broke why fix it.
About the Telecaster, yes I have a Telecaster. In fact I have a number of them, amongst others and a recording studio in the attic.

Frank

Nice ! I took note of the tele comment as I own a guitar amp company.
cheers