Rus suggested an adaptor that would work with the ED80 and the Celestron reducer. I bought the fitting and it works fine with both my Canon 350D EOS and the Atik16 HRC (with a 30mm spacer behind the adaptor - thanks to Dave 'Centroid' for the info.) It turns the ED80 into an approx. F4.8 by 380mm FL scope. I only got the adaptor for imaging but if you're interested it will only work visually without the star diagonal
Here's a pic of the adaptor fitted to the reducer :-


Here's the link to the fitting (it took 3 weeks to arrive):-
http://www.scopesnskies.com/prod/ant...ct/camera.html

MD

Theres a guy on Cloudynights who got a similar setup to work visually on an ED100 to make it f5.5 ish....he cut a few inches off the tube!!! :shock: :shock:

Gaz

I suppose most manufacturers could cut a bit off the ends of scopes to give extra in-travel. It's a lot easier adding an extension tube rather than sawing the end off!. I guess this adaptor should also work OK with an ED 100 & 120.

Before I use it with the Atik16 HRC I'll need a 2 ins IR Cut filter though.... mods always seem to involve extra cash, don't they?

MD

Probably you can cure the in-travel problem by putting a Barlow in the system ahead of the diagonal.

I wonder if this would work on a WO Megrez 90? Would you get reasonable field flatness? Since these reducers are designed to operate on a different optical system with a greater f-ratio, I suspect it would not be a as good as a dedicated WO reducer, but it would be a lot cheaper as I already have a Meade F6.3 reducer! There may be a back focus issue though. How is it on the ED80 - is there a noticable improvement in field flatness?

MD, I'd be really interested to see the results of using this reducer/adapter with the ED80 - please post some up when you get them!

Beetlejuice - The set up with the ED80 only works for my DSLR & CCD. With an EP I can't get sufficient in focus (except without the star diagonal). I guess that the Williams flattener will work well visually.
Since I've not had the night skies to test the set up on DSO's, I've only used both the DSLR & CCD on day time subjects. The cows in the field opposite certainly seemed to show no vignetting and good 'field flatness' !

Steppenwolf - If I ever get a decent sky (not the present 'soupy' one) I'll post a pic for you. I would be surprised if it doesn't work OK though.

MD

That exactly how i use mine MD, WORKS ATREAT EH
Rog

same setup here but I use a filter wheel as the spacer,

the only scope I've owned that it didn't work on was the 120f5 Skywatcher refractor, that is until it had an accident with a hacksaw. now it's 3" shorter it works just fine

Ian