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Posts Made By: Steve Stonehill

January 1, 2008 04:53 PM Forum: Birding Optics and Photos

Going Long

Posted By Steve Stonehill
Hi All,

I did my first field experiment with an Orion 80ED and a Kenko 2x TC. I had to tape all of the pins on the TC to make it work with my 20D but the result is an EFL of 1920mm.
I put it on a Wimberley atop a Samson tripod and played with shutter speeds for exposure. This duck was approximately 150' away and this is a 71% reduction with no cropping. I need more practice but so far I'm encouraged.

Happy New Year!

Steve

January 14, 2008 12:14 AM Forum: Birding Optics and Photos

Black-Crowned Night Herons

Posted By Steve Stonehill
Hi All,

I shot these yesterday at a pond in Monmouth County, NJ. There were approximately 30 herons on a small island about 100' from shore. I used a Canon 20D with 2xTC and an Orion 80ED mounted on a very sturdy tripod. This combo gives me an EFL of about 1920mm.

Steve

February 6, 2008 10:52 AM Forum: Birding Optics and Photos

Harlequin Ducks

Posted By Steve Stonehill
There are quite a few of these in Barnegat Inlet, NJ this winter. These shots are from last Sunday.

February 7, 2008 03:15 AM Forum: Pet Pics

Cute Little Girl

Posted By Steve Stonehill
Well, maybe not everyone's idea of cute. grin

February 11, 2008 03:14 AM Forum: Pet Pics

Dog with Attitude!

Posted By Steve Stonehill
Scout is actually a playful little girl but she does love to bite me. She won't play rough with anyone else but will alternate between licking my face and chomping on my hands. She is a great little companion. smile

April 9, 2008 11:24 PM Forum: Celestron

Onyx 80ED

Posted By Steve Stonehill
Hi Gang,

Anyone own or have used this scope?

Thanks

April 9, 2008 11:27 PM Forum: Refractors

Celstron Onyx

Posted By Steve Stonehill
Hi Gang,

Does anyone here own or have used one of these scopes?

Thanks

June 4, 2008 01:23 AM Forum: Guns and Hunting Optics

Amazing Bulletproof Vest!?

Posted By Steve Stonehill
I'm not sure how to insert a hyperlink for this but if you cut and paste the following link into your browser I think you'll be shocked by this video. A vest that stops not only a .44 magnum but a point-blank .308 Win. I think this vid is the real deal. There is no bloodshed or smut on this video and the site seems OK but definitely not for the squeamish or kids.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=310_1212367354





December 26, 2008 02:40 PM Forum: Refractors

New Old Refractor!

Posted By Steve Stonehill
Santa and a super-cool wife left this under the tree for me! Last night was the first time I've had this under the stars and it was a nice surprise. This scope star tests very nice and is as close to perfectly collimated as I can tell by star and Cheshire. It was a local sale and I'm the third owner. We had some spectacular views of M42 through a pair of Denks BVs and an Astronomik UHC filter. With an 8.8mm UWA the E star in the Trapezium was easy but neither of us saw F. The CA in this scope is evident on Rigel and Sirius but far better controlled than I expected. I'm going to side by side compare it with our Skywatcher 120ED on the next clear night we have. I hope every had a safe and Merry Christmas.

Clear Skies,

Steve

December 28, 2008 07:17 PM Forum: Binoviewers

Interesting Experiment

Posted By Steve Stonehill
Hi All,

I have been a little obsessed lately with wide field views through the BVs. Before I went out and spent money on something new I tried some combos with correctors that I had on hand and came up with something that I didn't expect. I have a Siebert Multi-Mag OCA and a Siebert 0.6x focal reducer that screws into the BV nosepiece. The BVs I used are BW Optiks. I took the OCA configured for 1.5x and screwed it into the front of a 1.25" TV diagonal. I put the focal reducer into the BV and into the diagonal. I was using an Orion 80ED and a pair of 32mm Plossls. I measured the exit pupil at 5mm. This indicates a 0.85 increase in the eyepiece focal length to 37.5mm. The view seemed to soften at the very edge but I haven't tried it at night yet to see exactly how good or bad this is going to be. Too much time on my hands? smile

Clear Skies,

Steve

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