Posts Made By: Don Joski

How long should the shutter be open in order to photo Mars? I'm using a K1000 and 140mm f/5.7 refractor w/ 2x barlow. I've taken previous photos ranging from 10 seconds to 2 seconds. Unfortunately I brought my photos to Walgreens and none of the photos printed. Side note - don't bring film to places like this. Only 6 of 24 photos turned out and only m45 was decent. I would have thought one of the Mars images would have worked. Anyway, input would be very appreciated.

I didn't realize Stellarvue sold binocs. Are they made by Stellarvue? I've been looking for 12x60's at a decent price, that is, around $200. I'm considering 12x50 Pentax or Nikon binocs, 9x63 or 12x63 Orion mini-giants and Oberworks in similiar sizes. I currently have 8x40 Pentax PCF. They work well but I'd like something a little larger for astronomy use - for those days too lazy to take out the scope. Any comments, advice, info?

I have an idea with Steiner Observer 25x80 ($650) with maybe a Paragon tripod ($250)? The use intended for is astronomy. What is a nice setup?

The question is succinct. The problem is the only binos I know are recently purchased 10x50 bak4 chinese binos (stellarvue, Bak 4 chinese optics), Pentax 8x40III (made in Japan) and Barska 12x60 (Bak 7 chinese). I have really enjoyed the Pleiades w/ the 10x50's. I also remember the Pleiades w/ a Televue Genesis. I miss those views. I thought I would have it w/ a 140mm f/6 refractor. The quality of a Televue is a bit above the quality of a Vixen, even if it was an old genesis. Ultimately I think many people would enjoy 25/150 Fujinon binoculars to go w/ a 16" dob and a 6" AP refractor, and of course 50 million other scopes. I forgot where I was going with this...

Anyway, really big binos sound fun. The optics in the chinese scopes were decent, rather, good. Can those with experiences shed some light on the differences or what they liked?

Thanks for any input.

I just received 20x80 Celestron Skymaster binoculars. I have left them outside for all of Monday Night Football and the objectives are dewed up. That may be normal if the dew occurs on the outside of the lens but this is on the inside part with absolutely no dew on the outside. The views are quite dim and my Stellarvue 10x50 binos easily show crisper and brighter images. These are brand new and were received today at work. Should I return for another pair? I assume this is not normal since I haven't had problems like this with any of my telescopes or binoculars. Another issue is the carry case that the binos came in had mold inside of it! The binocular body itself was not in perfect condition either with some white stuff on it and a small scuff. I would just let this pass if viewing was good or even decent. This is very disappointing. I guess I should have purchased the Oberwerks deluxe 20x80's but I couldn't buy the tripod right away and 8lbs is a little heavy to hand hold. Can somebody tell me if I am correct in my assessment that these are most likely defective? I was hoping these binos were Japanese made but since the price was only $245 I knew they would be Chinese. Adorama should accept an exchange, right? Thanks for input.

The C11 carbon fiber is 27lbs, plus a few more for ep's and finder. If a GM8 had the G11 legs would it support the scope or just be marginal at best? I don't really want the bigger mount but I want a larger ota than a 5.5" refractor. If not, is the CI-700 a lighter mount than the G11. I'll probably just purchase a 9.25" sct and keep the GM8 as it is more portable but the extra aperature of the C11 is attractive. In addition I've considered a 7" Mak/Cas, MK-72 from Intes, but really it shouldn't be too much different than a 140mm refractor. I'm looking to spend about $1,500 (started at $1,000 and worked my way up). I'm not really a fan of reflectors because the tube needs to be readjusted when you target different stars. Sometime down the road I'll get a good dob by starsplitter or portaball but not yet. If any suggestions, I'm listening. Thanks all. - As an amendment, I just read a few posts regarding the MK67 so I want to say I'm in Green Bay and weather - cold - is a factor and basically why I'm leaning towards a sct.

It has been about three or four weeks (shame on me) since I have been out with my telescope. Last time out I was checking out the Pleiades w/ 20x80 binos a couple weeks back. Then of course Wisconsin started it usual cold and a couple weeks of clouds and rain/sleet. Saturday it was clear so I golfed in 25 degree weather and had a few beers after. When night came I didn't feel like taking out the scope when the temp was 9 and just ending a "buzz". A couple more nights of crap weather (you know what I mean if you watched Philly beat up the Packers) and finally tonight, a warm 40 degrees. I walked out with my lowly 10x50 Stellarvue binos and saw Orion in the east. At first I thought, hey that looks familiar, yeah, Orion's back. Pulled out my trusty gm8 and vixen refractor and set up in just a couple minutes flat. Viewing was absolutely beautiful - even with the full moon. I tried a 1000 Oaks LPR filter I purchased a couple months ago but never really had any postive results with until tonight. It really brought out the nebulosity (if that is a word), even at 360x. I don't recall M42 looking this impressive last year (though I was using a 101mm Genesis). Saturn was equally stunning anywhere from 88x to 160x. Even barlowing the 5mm Super lanthanum to 320x Saturn did not lose its resolution. To think I considered selling the NA140. Anyway, I sure missed these two night time friends!

As I look at various wide field ep's for a pending f/9 refractor, I notice that 30mm to 35mm ep's are generally the most expensive. It doesn't matter if it's vixen's lanthanum 30mm, televue's 31 nagler or other manufacturer's. What is it about that particular size that creates the additional expense or craftsmenship that causes them to be higher priced? In the case of the vixen lanthunum the 50mm is $150 and 30mm is $180. Just wondering aloud. Thanks for info.
Don

I'm purchasing a used Mewlon 180 from astromart and it is currently configured to accept .0965" ep's/diagonal. I know that a locking ring and 50.8mm adapter are needed to change it to 2". The current owner from Singepore informed me that his friend has used a Borg 1.25" adapter. I would like to use Borg parts because they should be much less costly than Tak and they are not integral to performance. I emailed Borg and Ted Ishikawa said he didn't know what adapters would work. Do any of you Tak users know the parts needed for conversion - either Tak adapters or non-Tak? I appreciate the help. BTW, I have emailed Texas Nautical but have not heard back due to holiday weekend. Thanks in advance. Don

My status is I'm telescope-less right now. I'm looking to purchasee a scope/mount. I wish to use the setup for astrophotography (35mm camera) and visual use as well as planetary photos w/ Fuji S7000 digital camera. I've considered one setup and then thought of the other and I'm looking a pros/cons for the following:
- CM1100 (found new one available from a photo dealer on web). This has the C11 and CI700 mount. It's priced at $3,400.
- CGE 11, without XLT coatings - $4,300
- Vixen R200SS w/ GPDX w/ motors, coma corrector, & a Vixen ED102S for $4,100 or the NA120, instead of ED (same price). Probably add the reducer in a few months for the ED.
- Vixen ED114SS w/ GPDX w/ motors - $4,000

This is my list. I would love the big optics of the 11" sct but not really a good instrument for astrophotography but both are big mounts so if I get the 5" or 6" apo in the next couple of years I have a mount for it. The idea of having an f/4 reflector and a f/9 refractor is very intriguing. I've read good things about the GPDX for photo work. The ED114SS is an idea but limited aperature for price as far as I'm concerned but worth thinking about.

I need more aperature than a 4" refractor even if flourite. I had a Vixen NA140 and that was a good aperature for refractor but not available and the NA130 is $3,500 w/ mount, add $300 for motors.

Any other ideas? Am I overlooking a scope or two? I really would like some advice. This is a lot of money for me so I want to be happy w/ my purchase. Thank you,

Don