Re: [APML] M42 at 300mm on new EQ6 mount

[AikeM.Voelker-Jamin@t-online.de (Aike M. Voelker)]

Hi Emmanuele, Hi List,
 
> Nice shot, especially considering the light pollution conditions!

You should see the original slide - it's very very bright!

> I do have a few questions:
> * Where did you get your Carl Zeiss 300 mm lens, and if so what is its 
> price tag like?

The Zeiss lenses are frequently sold on e-Bay in Germany, this is where I've got 
mine from. Usually they are selling at around EUR 150,00 - EUR 200,00. The 
Sonnar lenses are from Carl Zeiss, Jena - the former East German Zeiss branch 
and are no longer in production. So you can only buy them on the used market.  
If you are interested I could take a close look and get you one!
 
> * I saw already your comments about the EQ6 mount, which apparently is a 
> real bargain. But what about its tracking features such as PEC, etc? Does 
> it have any?

No, it doesn't have PEC and has no Autoguider port. I am planning to add a 
"Boxdorfer" control which sells at about EUR 275,00. This steering has the 
ability for PEC and also includes a Autoguider port. The slew speeds are 
programmable, too. 

> * Also, from reading some on-line reviews I understand that this mount is 
> *very* cumbersome (even heavier than a G11!), and therefore not very 
> comfortable to carry around. Is it true?

I would say there's no big difference between the G11 and the EQ6 what weight is 
concerned. It's true that the EQ6 mounts head is quite big, the weight is approx 
14 kgs. I never had the impression that it's uncomfortable to carry. But keep in 
mind a couple of month ago I had to carry the LX 200 10" Tube with fork mount!  

> I have an 8" LX-50 Meade SCT: optics are fair, but mechanics and 
> electronics stink. I thought of dumping the LX 50 to buy a German 
> Equatorial Mount and an SCT OTA of the same size. But I also used a 12" 
> LX200, and while I agree polar alignment is a pain in the @#$, it's got 
> some nice bells and whistles (PEC, GoTo, internal object database, etc) 
> which might come in handy.

I started with a LX 50, too, but due to it's poor mechanics and electronics (as 
you said) I decided to go for the LX 200. Of course the LX 200 has some very 
nice features such as GoTo, e.t.c., but I didn't like the idea to commit myself 
to a single telescope system. 

With a German equatorial mount the system becomes interchangable. Right now I am 
working with a 8" f/4 reflector, but I am planning to get myself a SCT with a 
longer focal length for planets and Galaxies, e.t.c. . With the EQ6 I just 
"switch" from one tube to the other.

Of course GoTo and the Database is a nice & comfortable thing, but in my stage 
of Astrophotography (started 1 1/2 years ago) I want to learn where the objects 
are located at and try finding objects by myself. 

IMO, the 12" LX 200 is a very interesting scope, but I definatly wouldn't like 
to carry that baby all the time ;-)))

All the best for you,

Clear Skies and a Happy New Year,

Aike M. Voelker



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