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Posts Made By: Kevin Barker

April 24, 2003 09:14 PM Forum: Takahashi

FS 128 versus TOA130????

Posted By Kevin Barker

HI
I have a couple of friends who are considering investing in a 5 inch apochromat. Both are influenced by viewing in my Zeiss APQ 130. Both gentleman are thinking about a Tak FS 128.

My question is how do these two telescopes compare at the eyepiece. I realise a tiny bit of residual chromatic aberration will be in the FS 128. But being a well coated doublet will the FS128 have a small edge in contrast and perhaps image brightness over the triplet air spaced TOA 130 ortho apochromat??

The FS 128's sure seem to be a bargain at present with folks selling them for well under 4000US second hand and being 4400 or so new.

Both are around f-8 and the FS ota has less mass by a couple of kilograms too.

Anyone done a comparison on say planetary performance??

Kevin B

December 16, 2003 08:54 PM Forum: Insects - Flowers and Other Small Stuff - Photos

WETA(hemideima thoracica)

Posted By Kevin Barker

A large female found on my steps last night. Completely harmless. The NZ Giant Weta'a can have masses around 60 g.

This is a female Auckland tree Weta.

They evolved without rats and mice so hence the size.

The organs on the front of the knees are ears I believe.

Best wishes

Kevin Barker

December 31, 2003 07:29 AM Forum: Zeiss

Favourite Zeiss Scope

Posted By Kevin Barker

Well this is my favourite.

These earlier APQ 100's are build like tanks and the optics are wonderful.

In fact it is disapponting looking in most other scopes afterwards. Contrast per brigthness as good as it gets.

Best wishes and a happy New Year to all you Zeiss addicts.

Kevin B

March 31, 2004 09:21 PM Forum: Telescope Making

ZEISS AS 80/840 Homemade ota.

Posted By Kevin Barker

Seeing the Red TMB 152 ota prompted me to post this little ota.

Objective is a Zeiss semi apo short flint achromat. Uncoated 1970's vintage.
Focuser a Baader 2 inch(same as used in a Williams Megrez)
Finders Rigel and Scopetronix mounted 90 degrees to eachother.
Stainless steel turned tube connections, M68 at eyepiece end and M94 at objective end.
Zeiss dovetail and 1.5 mm Al tube, internal flocking and baffling.

Total mass with finders and diagonal 3.3 kg.

Performance is sublime, better planetary contrast than a Zeiss ED 80/840 which had better colour correction but less contrast.

Kevin B

September 9, 2004 11:11 PM Forum: Eyepieces

NAGLER TOE

Posted By Kevin Barker

I had minor toe surgery yesterday and could not help thinking my toe looked like a 31 mm Nagler afterwards..

What do you guys think??

Best wishes

Kevin B

February 22, 2005 06:57 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Six inch f6 Mirror

Posted By Kevin Barker

Hi all,
Attached is a Jpeg of a test on a six inch f-4 mirror from an RFT I own.

I am not sure how you read these so please comment.

Many thanks

Kevin Barker

May 15, 2005 10:46 PM Forum: Zeiss

Moderator

Posted By Kevin Barker

Dr Lalk

Thank you for putting your name forward.

I look forward to riveting discussion on all things Zeiss.

Best regards

Kevin Barker


May 31, 2012 07:32 PM Forum: Telescope Making

The Barkonian!! 5 inch f-7 RFT

Posted By Kevin Barker

A new telescope design!! A 5 inch RFT refractor.

Completely wooden (except for screws, optics, paint, glue, etc)

Works a treat and easy to collimate!!! the optics are very good on this old C5 lens. It is uncoated, air-spaced "super achromat"!!!!

Kevin Barker
Auckland, New Zealand

May 31, 2012 11:26 PM Forum: Refractors

5 inch "Barkonian Refractor"

Posted By Kevin Barker

A new atm telescope design!! A 5 inch RFT refractor.

Completely wooden (except for screws, optics, paint, glue, etc)

Works a treat and easy to collimate!!! the optics are very good on this old C5 lens. It is uncoated, air-spaced "super achromat"!!!!

Kevin Barker
Auckland, New Zealand

September 1, 2012 11:53 PM Forum: Refractors

Another Barkonian!!!

Posted By Kevin Barker

Or is it a Hilt'sonian!!

This is a wooden scope made for a niece and nephew as a Christmas present. It has a surplus shed 100/600 lens and a 50 mm elliptical secondary.
It is supposed to be like an Astroscan on legs, hence the red. It is a bit more user friendly than my earlier prototype( a 127/830)

The lens is OK but not spectacular, however in the 20-100 power range it is fine.

Best wishes

Kevin Barker