Posts Made By: Ralph Skogen

I am thinking of starting to do some CCD work, not in a quest for the perfect astro-image(I'll leave that for those with more time than I), just to see some things I can't visually and in color. I would appreciate from those of you that have worked with CCD equipment any thoughts you may have for a camera/scope combination. I am thinking of a Celestron CGE1400 with a SBIG ST-2000XM (maybe a ST-10XE), this is about my price limit so no RCs, astrographs, etc. This would be for imaging only, I have my dobs for visual. Ease of use and speed are the guide lines here. Thanks, Ralph

Would like to hear from anyone that has used one of these mounts. What are your thoughts on these mounts? How steady? Easy to use? If you've used a G11, which do you think is more steady?

Thanks, Ralph

Beside the JMI kit, is there a kit or does anybody know of a way to mount DSCs to a Giro-2? Thanks in advance, Ralph

The Celestron seems much easier to use. If there is a real difference (PE,etc) in the end result (the image), is it enough, to deal with the G11? I would be interested in anyone's thoughts that have experience/knowledge of these mounts. Thanks in advance, Ralph Skogen

Sirs,

I have always enjoyed the views I get in my TV eyepieces. But recently, I have been wondering if there is anything to the idea of "planetary eyepieces". Most reviews of these, do support them as being better on the planets/moon. Without getting into a big debate on this, I was wondering what your thoughts were on "planetary eyepieces" and if I do try some, which ones I should try. I was thinking of University Optics H.D. Abbe Orthos, TMB Super Monos, or (maybe!$) Zeiss Abbe IIs. They would be used in a quality f4.3 Dob and APO refractor.

Thanks for your thoughts in advance, Ralph

Sirs,

Has anyone used one of these scopes? What is your impression of it? I am thinking of replacing my SCT with one of these for my backyard scope. Is the contrast and sharpness that much better? Enough for the extra cost? Is the VC version worth the extra cost for imaging?
Not looking for an in depth review, just your observations or thoughts on these scopes. Any feedback will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Ralph Skogen

Anyone know if the Pentax XL eyepieces are parfocal?

Thanks in advance,
Ralph Skogen

Sirs,

Looking for opinions from those of you that have used these eyepieces for binoviewing: TeleVue Type 6s, Radians, Plossls, Pentax XWs, XLs and Takahashi LEs. What I'm wanting to know is not about the image quality of the specific eyepieces, but how they work as pairs. Is the short eye relief of some of them a problem when used as pairs? Are some harder to merge than others? Do some have "black-outs" when paired? Are the Pentaxs too large and get in the way of your nose to make them hard to use as pairs? What are your experiences with any of these eyepieces in a binoviewer? Ease of use, comfort, etc. In short, which do you use, or maybe more importantly which wouldn't you use (and why)? I'm thinking the TV Type 6 (& maybe a Panoptic 24mm pair) for the wide views and either Radians or Tak LEs for the higher magnifications on the planets and moon. I know there are many variables to this (including exit pupil), but sometimes the things that aren't measured will make the difference, and there is no substitute for experience. So what are your experiences and preferred eyepieces for binoviewing and why (briefly)?

Thanks in advance,
Ralph

Hello everyone,

I am getting ready to try my hand at some imaging. I'll be using a Losmandy G11 with scopes from 500mm fl to 2000mm. I would like to use one of the small scopes I already have for the autoguiding. Should I use a 66mm w/400mm fl. or an 80mm w/550mm fl.? Is the extra 14mm of aperture and 150mm of focal length, worth the extra size/weight? Which would you use? Or am I off base and should use something else?!

Thanks in advance,
Ralph

Peter, I would suggest first trying a Rigel Quickfinder, it works 'just right' on my 11" dob. If you must have a finder, try the Anteres 8x50mm 90 erect/correct image, works well & low cost. I don't use finder scopes anymore, Quickfinders on the smaller scopes and Telrads on the larger ones. They don't affect the balance as much, easy to remove, reset near zero and are MUCH easier/quicker to line up. I find the reflex finders will always put the object in the fov of a low power eyepiece. Keep it simple, Ralph