I've had this FS60 for over 8 months and have been trying to connect the QHY9 to it since I got it but it's really been my primary guide scope. Bad weather, other scope projects and refusal to spend money has slowed progress somewhat but tonight it all came together thanks to a $5 M52-> M42 ebay adapter That little gem connects the flattener to the filter wheel.
Here is a stack of 9 Ha shots, 10minute subs, median combined and DDP.
Still a bit to do with balance and getting the camera in a position so it can rotate. I have the scopes stacked and plonking a qhy9 and wheel on top doesn't work well. But I finally have a wide fielder working. Yippeee
The reducer is a flattener as well but I could not justify a AU$450 reducer for an $800 scope, I bought the flattener for about AU$200. The flattener raises the F-stop to F6.2 (372mm, 45mm Image Circle), the reducer drops it to F4.4 (264mm, 44mm Image Circle). Focusing was very difficult, probably due to the weight I have hanging off the end.
[edit]
Taxman sent me this page which shows backfocus for lots of tak flatteners/reducers. This one is
Quote:
*****The 56mm back focus is measured from the rear of the threaded end of the reducer/flattener rather than from the shoulder.
Thanks so much for the information, Robin. I've input both the reducer/flattener and flattener (the reducer is effectively 0.75x, whilst the flattener is 1.1x) as bits of equipment with relevant details in Starry Night Pro Plus so I can now see the effect they will have on the field of view. Excellent!
Same here H, I had the mosaics set up in thesky before the scope was working
I'm amazed at what's coming out of this 60mm scope tonight.
Even the O3 looks good.
Last edited by Tandum; 27-08-2010 at 02:34 AM.
Reason: Added O3 image. 2 subs 1x1 900sec bad usb cable = black line.
Awesome.... In anyone's books they are awesome images, but to think they came from a 60mm scope that you consider to be a guide scope, that's flat out amazing... After seeing these pics you've got to admit the idea of the reducer for an even wider field is somewhat intriguing... Not that Im a massive fan of spending money... Just that, well... Imagine it....
Robin - we've been PM'ing back and forth for a while over this. Great to see it finally working well. I have the Sky-90 reducer I'll try on mine (along side the 60 flattener), and the QHY-9, which will prove interesting.
Chris, that opt page shows the backfocus for the sky90 reducer at 72.2mm
I'm not sure how you add .2mm though
That's the beauty of it Robin. I can keep the CAA/reducer/FW/camera stack the same for either scope. No changes in between. Swap them around in 2 minutes, no probs.
If I can pair it up with the stellarvue 60 for guiding it'll make for a very light grab and go combo. RGB will be the test next new moon, there's no way to get an LP filter in the chain for here. Focus is difficult, it could really do with a 10:1 knob. Zooming in on those tiny stars in NB with a bart mask makes for long exposures to get the spikes and the focuser is pretty course as it is. If these clouds clear tonight I'll have a go at some long exposure S2 shots.
That little gem connects the flattener to the filter wheel.
