Re: [APML] Schmidt Camera Question

[KGKIRKLEY@aol.com]

In a message dated 9/25/02 9:25:17 PM, krogers1@maine.rr.com writes:

>Can anyone provide an idea of what the resale value of an 8" Celestron
>f1.5
>
>Schmidt Camera may be these days?
>
>
>
>Our club in Maine is selling several items to fund a new telescope purchase
>
>for our observatory, which may include this Schmidt camera.  It's like
>new,
>
>as far as we can tell it's never been used and the donor indicated it had
>
>been returned to Celestron to be cleaned and adjusted after being stored
>at
>
>some point.  We have Parallax rings, a Tuthill dew shield and a 35mm roll
>
>film holder for this instrument.
>
>
>
>Thanks for your time.
>
>
>
>Kirk
>
>www.kiroastro.com

Kirk:
As a Schmidt camera user, I've seen a lot of them come and go.
At the present time there is really no company making Schmidt cameras for the 
amateur market. I acquired mine, an 8 inch f1.5 Celestron in 1996 for $1200 
and eventually had Epoch Instruments rebuid and upgrade it for $ 500. When 
Epoch was still in business they offered brand new ones for $ 3200. A friend 
of mine recently acquired Hans Vehrenberg's original 8 inch for about $2000.

I think the value should certainly be based on condition and most 
importantly, whether or not it is in collimation and focus. If an original 
Celestron Schmidt, from the late 70's to late 80's, the mirror probably needs 
recoating, which isn't very expensive, except that it means removing the 
mirror and after recoating, replacing it and then having to collimate and 
refocus it. This is a rather time consuming process.
Robert Reeves has just finished rebuilding two 8 inch Schmidt's and going 
through this process.

I would say that, if in excellent condition, is collimated and in focus, with 
film holders and roll film holder, a reasonable price would be $2000.

Kent Kirkley

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