Recently I received my Starfire 180 EDT (f/9)
scope I had purchased. As so often seems to be the case, days went by with
clouds before I was able to snap a first light image using the new
scope.
Last night, May 26, was clear enough long enough
for me to snap this 2 x 1 mosaic of the moon. Each exposure was 0.2 seconds.
No darks or flats were used, so this is just raw data stitched together with
the curves adjusted a tad.
I am eager to shoot some deep sky shots but the
weather will have to cooperate. This is all I have after five nights of
trying.
I think I will like the scope, but it is a
monster at F=1620mm
Here's the image:
and here's the scope:
I also purchased the AP field flattener for this
telescope. It has the Pentax 6x7 Bayonet interface on the backside. I don't
have a Pentax 6x7, but am thinking I may want to get a body to try with the
scope since it is set up so nicely for this camera. I have a Lumicon 1200
Hypering kit too.
Can anyone suggest which Pentax body I should buy
if I am trying to do this on the cheap? I *might* want to get one wide angle
lens for it too. If anyone has such a setup laying around that they would
sell, please contact me privately and let me know what you have
etc.
btw, I noticed that Herb York is selling his
AP180 f/7 on Astromart auctions. His "buy it now" price is $37K. I guess he
could buy a very nice new car for that amount of money.
rdc
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