[Author Prev][Author Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Author Index][Thread Index]
Re: [APML] Scope advice (was: Mewlon 250)
Hi Frank,
I see that others have suggested APO refractors around 5".
I ordered a TEC140 from Anacortes a few months ago, and expect it this Summer. It's a 140mm f/7 triplet with a 3.5 " Feathertouch focuser. TEC is planning on releasing a field flattener for it this Summer. Currently, cost is $4500. Tube rings and finder extra.
For long focal length work TEC's Mak-Cass line is producing excellent CCD images in the hands of some folks, although they are slow--- the fastest is an 8" f/11. But a .6x reducer is in the works. I don't know how well one would handle a 35mm frame though. But if you're like me you were probably already cropping a lot of the comatic outer frame away from SCT film results. BTW--- I see from your webpage you do a lot of CCD anyway ;o)
And currently, waiting for any of the TEC line is measured in months, not decades <g>.
Another APO to consider would be any you could afford from Takahashi, which has enough adapters to make your head spin. TMB also makes fine APOs, but IMO, they haven't been addressing the field flattener issue as well as should have for some models.
John Boudreau
http://home.attbi.com/~jeboud/astro.htm
----- Original Message -----
From: "Frank Barrett" <frankb@celestialwonders.com>
To: <astro-photo@seds.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2003 8:32 AM
Subject: [APML] Scope advice (was: Mewlon 250)
> > The Mewlon is a Dall-Kirkham - which has even more coma than the sct.
> > It's a great visual scope (for narrow fields at least) and easy to
> > manufacture, but i don't think it's meant for photography. Apart from
> > coma, it's probably made with the smallst possible secondary, so it
> > will have illumination issues as well.
> >
> > Radu
> >
>
> I appreciate your insight. I've received some off list help as well and
> with a little digging on my own I'm starting to rethink this direction. I
> think the Mewlon would still outperform my C8, but $6K is alot of money so
> I want to be sure.
>
> OK list, I need your help selecting an new scope. Here's my situation.
> My daughter is in high school and we're trying to save for college, so I
> can't spend more that about $6K-$7K on a new scope (even a low end RC is
> out of reach right now). Whatever I get will have to last me until she
> graduates (7 years). I'd like to spend the money on good optics that will
> fit on the G11, say 30 to 40 lbs at most. I prefer a non-SCT design as
> that is where most of my discomfort lies (mirror flop, spherical
> abberation, extreme vignetting, etc).
>
> So what do y'all recommend? If you know of a scope that fits my needs I
> sure would appreciate your input.
>
> Thanks, Frank
> http://celestialwonders.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Astro-Photo mailing list
> Astro-Photo@seds.org
> http://seds.org/mailman/listinfo/astro-photo
>
_______________________________________________
Astro-Photo mailing list
Astro-Photo@seds.org
http://seds.org/mailman/listinfo/astro-photo