El Capitan - AP3600 GTOPosted By Philip Blanda |
Snap! That's a big 'un!
pjbiii
pjbiii
Posts Made By: Philip Blanda
October 26, 2007 05:25 PM
Forum:
Astro-Physics
November 27, 2007 12:29 AM
Forum:
Refractors
APO doublet vs triplet questionPosted By Philip Blanda |
Given that the f/8 Tak FS-102 and the f/8 FS-128 that I've looked through all showed colour error I find it unlikely that the larger aperture same design, same focal ratio FS-152 would not show even greater colour error than it's smaller siblings.
Please do note the the colour is not large and these are all very fine scopes, fully worthy of the term APO. But there is no way the FS-152 has no colour given that it's smaller siblings do. Look a bit harder, especially on brighter stars and for a yellowing on planets (esp. Jupiter when it's visible).
Philip
Please do note the the colour is not large and these are all very fine scopes, fully worthy of the term APO. But there is no way the FS-152 has no colour given that it's smaller siblings do. Look a bit harder, especially on brighter stars and for a yellowing on planets (esp. Jupiter when it's visible).
Philip
November 28, 2007 02:16 PM
Forum:
Binoviewers
Edmund Optics OrthosPosted By Philip Blanda |
I bought an old Edmunds Orthoscopic eyepiece, IIRC it was 12mm or 12.5mm. This was off the old, pre-Anacortes Astromart so it was a while ago. I used it in my f/5.8 refractor and while it was fine on axis, it was really, really bad off axis. Horribly bad.
I gave the eyepiece to a friend who had an f/8 scope and it worked better. I would not use these eyepieces in anything approaching f/6, better to stay at f/8 and above for them.
Philip
I gave the eyepiece to a friend who had an f/8 scope and it worked better. I would not use these eyepieces in anything approaching f/6, better to stay at f/8 and above for them.
Philip
December 3, 2007 03:12 PM
Forum:
Eyepieces
Abbe OrthoPosted By Philip Blanda |
These eyepices are state of the art using the Ortho design. These are not old eyepieces and have the absolutely best modern coatings and glass.
They are so good because of the high polish, coatings, glass and design of them using the best of modern methods.
Philip
They are so good because of the high polish, coatings, glass and design of them using the best of modern methods.
Philip
December 7, 2007 06:28 PM
Forum:
Equipment Talk
Televue NP127is or Takahashi TOA-130?Posted By Philip Blanda |
Between those two I would choose the Tele Vue NP-127is. Reasons?
1)lighter weight, shorter; easier to mount and more stable on a gieven mount, easier to transport - less lugging weight
2)Quicker cooldown by far
3)More versatile at going from wide fields to high poewers
4)Well suited to photography out of the box.
5)Nicer focuser.
Philip
1)lighter weight, shorter; easier to mount and more stable on a gieven mount, easier to transport - less lugging weight
2)Quicker cooldown by far
3)More versatile at going from wide fields to high poewers
4)Well suited to photography out of the box.
5)Nicer focuser.
Philip
December 11, 2007 04:51 PM
Forum:
APM
New Solar Observing Filters for our TelescopesPosted By Philip Blanda |
Great news! What are the dealers of these products in the USA?
Philip
Philip
December 13, 2007 06:45 PM
Forum:
Astro-Physics
El Capitan in the showroomPosted By Philip Blanda |
That is big!
That rear setup is close to the first setup from AP that I had - a Traveler on a 400QMD (not the GTO as in the image). I remember I ordered them and got them shipped together. I would bet not too many people get an AP OTA and mount at the same time anymore!
The 400QMD was sold, but the Traveler is still mine.
Philip
That rear setup is close to the first setup from AP that I had - a Traveler on a 400QMD (not the GTO as in the image). I remember I ordered them and got them shipped together. I would bet not too many people get an AP OTA and mount at the same time anymore!
The 400QMD was sold, but the Traveler is still mine.
Philip
December 16, 2007 09:08 PM
Forum:
Maksutovs
IM 715,703 or Tak mewlon 180Posted By Philip Blanda |
Unless the Tak is significantly cheaper, I wouldn't want the large coma that the Dall-Kirkham inherently has. I think of the D-K as a good high power lunar/double star/planetary scope. However, I see the Tak 180 losing out to the IM 703 off axis because of the coma and essentially tying it on axis, and I see the Tak 180 again losing this time on axis to the 715 due to it's smaller CO.
The only other factor that may come into play is some of the Intes and IM scopes I've seen are a bit rough mechanically, while the Tak is "like butta". Perhaps IM has gotten better since I last saw one?
In any case, I would probably spring for the 703 and give up a bit to the 715 but gain a more flexible scope. If I had a different wider field scope, I would spring for the 715 for lunar/planets/double stars.
Philip
The only other factor that may come into play is some of the Intes and IM scopes I've seen are a bit rough mechanically, while the Tak is "like butta". Perhaps IM has gotten better since I last saw one?
In any case, I would probably spring for the 703 and give up a bit to the 715 but gain a more flexible scope. If I had a different wider field scope, I would spring for the 715 for lunar/planets/double stars.
Philip
January 10, 2008 05:12 PM
Forum:
Refractors
APO Help NeededPosted By Philip Blanda |
You forgot the APM/TMB scopes, which are the TMB designed scopes that made TMB's reputation in the amateur community for optical excellence.
There are two scopes from this line, the 130 f/6 and 130 f/9.2. The 130 f/6 is the closest available scope to the Astro-Physics 130EDF.
You could also consider the William Optics FLT-132 which is similar in price and construction to the TMB-130SS but has the virtue of being available, i.e. not on back-order.
If I were looking for a 5" class APO right now, I would choose the Tele Vue NP-127 as it's light weight, short focal length, flat field and high quality excel at low power wide fields and high power planetary/double star viewing. If I wanted the closest analog of the AP 130EDF I would get the APM 130 f/6. If this were to be my "big gun" APO, I would upsize to the TEC 140.
Philip
There are two scopes from this line, the 130 f/6 and 130 f/9.2. The 130 f/6 is the closest available scope to the Astro-Physics 130EDF.
You could also consider the William Optics FLT-132 which is similar in price and construction to the TMB-130SS but has the virtue of being available, i.e. not on back-order.
If I were looking for a 5" class APO right now, I would choose the Tele Vue NP-127 as it's light weight, short focal length, flat field and high quality excel at low power wide fields and high power planetary/double star viewing. If I wanted the closest analog of the AP 130EDF I would get the APM 130 f/6. If this were to be my "big gun" APO, I would upsize to the TEC 140.
Philip
January 16, 2008 02:54 PM
Forum:
SCI-FI
Whats the most realistic portrayal of an alien?Posted By Philip Blanda |
The worst alien is Ro-man from the awful movie "Robot Monster" A gorilla suit with a space helmet. The absolute worst evah!
