Re: [APML] Vixen VC200L for film Astrophotos

[Allan & Julie Whetzel <whetzel@cox.net>]

Well....either I got the last one, or they really don't have one and 
they're waiting to break the news to me. It seems they set their web 
team on killing that search option pretty quick because there were a 
few other Vixen closeout items that popped up too. Kinda strange.
Thanks for the advice on the 2" adapter - I'll be getting one.

Allan

On Thursday, August 28, 2003, at 07:49 PM, John C. Mirtle wrote:

> Good choice Allan,
>     I hope that you are as happy with yours as I am with mine! I just 
> did a
> search on Orion's site, I didn't find any VC200L's!  (not that I need
> another one) Just a quick couple of notes for you and anyone else who 
> might
> be getting one: The Orion version is a version older than mine, and 2
> versions older than the current "green" tube model. First thing to buy 
> is
> the 2" eyepiece adapter. Good for 2" eyepieces and things like 
> Newtonian
> AOG's. The older versions also left the 3 primary mirror clips exposed 
> which
> adds diffraction to bright stars, same as the R200SS. Mine has a ring 
> that
> just covers the clips - no diffraction on bright stars other than from 
> the
> spider. You might want to make a ring from cardboard for the mirror.
>     The VC200L is 1800mm long and is supposed to give 15 micron star 
> images
> at the focal plane. I don't know if they are 15 microns, but they are 
> tiny.
> This means that your guiding must be perfect! Unless you want to cuss 
> at
> every wind gust, get the G-11. If you can't figure out how to mount 
> it, drop
> me a line.
>     You will find the ST4 very easy to use and focus, due to the sharp
> off-axis performance of the Vixen. Good thing too, as 90+ minute shots 
> are
> tough to do by hand! To get the best from this scope, consider hypered 
> tech
> pan. It's not hard to process yourself, and it records well at f9. 
> It's good
> thing that this isn't your first scope! Shooting with a scope this 
> long is
> challenging, but also very rewarding when everything finally "clicks". 
> Now
> you just need to figure out what to do with yourself when the shutter 
> is
> open for 90+ minutes.... :-)
>     Good luck Allen, we are looking forward to your results!
>
> John Mirtle
> Calgary, Ab. Canada
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <whetzel@cox.net>
> To: "Discussion of Film Astrophotography" <astro-photo@seds.org>
> Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2003 5:44 PM
> Subject: Re: Re: [APML] Vixen VC200L for film Astrophotos
>
>
> Thanks to everyone for feedback on this scope. I took the plunge and 
> just
> purchased the OTA from Orion (they apparently have a few new ones left 
> from
> their days selling Vixen - just do a search under VC200L). I'm picking 
> up a
> G11 or GM8 on Astromart to complete the system. Since I have an NEG 
> from
> Lumicon and have seen awesome successfully guided photos with this 
> scope
> using an OAG and ST-4 that was a big part of my decision to go with the
> VC200L. I have spent MANY hours trying to get the ST4 to work with 
> another
> scope and didn't want the challenge of making a guide scope work on the
> R200SS with an ST4 at the moment. The discussion that has been going on
> helped illuminate the  situation & challenges I'd be facing. Knowing 
> that
> I'll have a system that others have succeeded with is encouraging for 
> my
> future development in Astrophotography. I'll be posting pictures in the
> future!
>
> Thanks for the assist everyone,
>
> Allan
>
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