Re: [APML]: [APML] aerial lenses

[Peter Ceravolo <ceravolo@fox.nstn.ca>]

>I would like to pursue this subject further.  Beside the Hycon, what other
lenses have potential for astro photo use?  What should we look out for?

That's tuff to answer definitively. I once thought a 75mm fl surplus lens
should work well but it didn't. You really have to try them out to see and
that is not necessarily easy. One could put an eyepiece up to a slow (f4 or
slower) lens but at f2.8 or so the average eyepiece can'y handle the steep
light cone so you won't get an accurate impression. Also some aerial lenses
are designed to work exclusively with a yellow filter to pentrte haze. These
lenses may not be well color corrected for the blue.

>
>Are there any sources out there on designing and building astro cameras
that might use such lenses?  I see folks hassling "Hassies" and balancing
Bronicas when a simple lightweight camera designed only for astro use might
do the job with less load on the mount and pocket book.  Does this make sense?
>
>TIA - Frank LaHorgue

Actually Frank the lenses I am refering to are monsters relative to the gear
most of us are accustomed to using. The lens barrel alone can weigh from 5
to 20 pounds depending on the fl and speed.

Peter