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First Light Tak FSQ85 & Astrodon 5nm Ha - Bubble Nebula test frame

Barry-Wilson

By Barry-Wilson
in Imaging - Deep Sky

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Barry-Wilson

Barry-Wilson

Posted
Posted

I had the chance, thanks to my kind family, to acquire a dream scope - a Takahashi FSQ85ED - thank you to the very nice Mr Ian King.  I also have been deliberating over the 36mm Astrodon NB filters for some time, the additional contrast that these filters achieve over the Baader's is noticeable.  I have the 36mm carousel in my EFW2 to ensure I cover the 8300 sensor in my 383L+.  Thank you once again Mr King!  :grin:

I'm hoping that the 0.73 reducer and adapter bits will arrive next week, and am imaging at native for now.  Last night under milky skies I managed 4 x 900s subs in 5nm Ha of M52 and the Bubble Nebula for a test before clouds swamped Devon.  No flats, only a master bias and minimal processing to produce a test frame.

Apologies everyone for the cloudy skies here on in for the next couple of weeks.  :p

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Barry

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ollypenrice

ollypenrice

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Very good start and no need for me to add anyting on the FSQ85 since I've said it all several times!

Maybe it's me but... focus? Not convinced that this is tight as it can get. The ADs are devils to focus. Certainly the 3Nm can rarely be focused on a star in the image, I find. I usually have to go and find a suitable one.

Olly

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Earl

Earl

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Thanks everyone.

I think you're right Olly - I didn't have the clearest of skies and need to run a few more v-curves to get the filter off set right.

Lots to learn with a new scope.

Barry

Well ill turn that around on you, the scope will just work and thats the great part, getting the rest of the gear to make the most of its ability to do exactly what it is intended to is the part to get right, once you get the reducer make sure your spacing is right 72.2mm IIRC. Olly and Sara can confrim that.

This is a great start and once your reduced you will notice the speed improvment in your subs, consider 900s as the starting poitn try to push 1800s if you can (this is my goal my current PA is good for 900 but iffy on 1800 but until my dome is installed i see no point refining to then do it all again in a months time.)

Spend an extra 5 mins on getting that focus as sweet as possible and your setup will sing for you. You should be good on focus for the night I hd no focus drift when i had a baby q until the beast of the 106 i now have (only drawback bar its weight).

Great start and things are only going to get better, spending a little time to refine the details will reward you !!!

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Liquid360

Liquid360

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I took delivery yesterday of a new FSQ-106. Today, the extender-q, reducer, and bits. Mount won't be here for a few weeks. So to anybody in Alabama, expect stunning weather right up until a few weeks from now. In the meantime I'll simply admire the works of other FSQ owners as inspiration for the off chance I ever am able to use mine. Beautiful image!

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Barry-Wilson

Barry-Wilson

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Quietly developing some serious scope-envy here....

Barry - was there any delay in delivery or are these 'order and receive' items?

Ian King had the scope in stock along with the Astrodons.  The reducer was on order he said and was due in to him end of last week.  Excitedly awaiting the reducer and CA, wide t-mount bits.  Scope very packed as people frequently remark.  Excellent advice and service from Ian as ever.

Last night with better transparency, I ran half-dozen V-curves comparing focus points for Lum and Ha; indeed the offset I used for my 4 test subs was out by 7 steps, enough to effect my CFZ.  Good for Olly!

Barry

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ollypenrice

ollypenrice

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Ian King had the scope in stock along with the Astrodons.  The reducer was on order he said and was due in to him end of last week.  Excitedly awaiting the reducer and CA, wide t-mount bits.  Scope very packed as people frequently remark.  Excellent advice and service from Ian as ever.

Last night with better transparency, I ran half-dozen V-curves comparing focus points for Lum and Ha; indeed the offset I used for my 4 test subs was out by 7 steps, enough to effect my CFZ.  Good for Olly!

Barry

I do know these scopes! They are as tight as a drum. Tighter! Onward and upward...

Olly

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PhotoGav

PhotoGav

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Good stuff Barry, thanks. I hope the waiting isn't too painful, though you do have some fun toys to occupy yourself with in the interim! That scope & reducer are most definitely on my wish list, so I will be following your journey into Tak-Land with great interest! Good luck. All you need now are some perfect clear nights.... Oh well... :-)

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AndrewG

AndrewG

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Great news Barry... Looks like we have both been giving Ian King some of our cash lately :grin: !!

I guess your quote "That Tak FSQ looks at home on your set up . . . clear skies!"  was quite relevant to you too  :grin:!.    

Although I haven't much experience with some of the other scopes out there I can say that I love my TAK85 and everything about it... solid build... nameplate with serial number (anything with one of those is usually special :grin:).. not forgetting the optics (I found that the improvement  in contrast / flatter field from using a Borg was quite noticeable).

Hopefully we will both get some clear skies soon so we can enjoy using our new kit!!!!. 

Best Regards

Andy.... note the new signature!!

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