cmitran

Dear Terry, Did you get any answer or solution to this issue? I also have a Tal 200k and converted it to 2" using a Essato focuser. I wonder if a field flattener would correct the issue you described and also if a flattener is possible, given the short backfocus the Tal has. Thanks Cristian

Hi, I have found some discussions about remplacement of the TAL 200K OTA's focuser. Most of them are quite old and I was wondering if TAL owners could advise me on how to end up having an autofocuser on mine. There seems to be a solution with using a belt focuser motor but I was looking for something better. While searching for solutions, I have I have found out that it may be even possible to upgrade it to 2". For instance, there is this OAZ ring adapter. They also sell an adapter that fits on the ring but the same diameter seems to fit on a focuser like this one. From there on, I could use a focusing motor like this one. The upgrade to 2" is actually a nice to have. I understood that this may reduce vignetting. But my ultimate goal is to have an autofocuser for the TAL. I would appreciate any advice from TAL 200k owners that have succeeded in upgrading it with an autofocuser. Kind regards, Cristian

Hi, I have put astrophotography on the side for more than 20 years and I am getting back to it now so, please bear with me; many things have changed since I stopped. First of all, I have been reading quite a lot about technological improvements that occurred in the last 20 years. Then I have unboxed my old, but in perfect state, TAL 200k OTA. It's a Klevtsov / Cassegrain. I have also just bought a second hand EQ6 Pro Goto mount, ordered a scope guide and an autoguider. I already have a Nikon D4s and adaptor for the OTA. My intention is to schedule the telescope to take photos by itself through the night. To program it to track and take multiple photos of same target without me being there to do this manually. Using, for example, my raspberry Pi 4 to control it. I am quite handy with software and development, generally. I don't intend yet to take photos of different objects, I know that this involved autofocusing and filter changing and I am not yet there. Can you help me with some advice in terms of which software already exists, to allow me to program automatic shooting of a specific objects for multiple hours, auto tracking included? Many thanks, Cristian

Hello, I would like to buy a second hand HEQ5 Pro mount in Europe. It is not my intention to find here one; I know that this forum is not about this kind of questions. I am actually looking for recommendations of web sites where I can possible find one. Thank you, Cristian

Hello, I have a russian telescope TAL 200K and I would like to upgrade it by using a tracking goto system. I have read about a H-EQ5 Pro system but I find it quite expensive and I am wondering if it would be possible to find it as second hand in Europe or a more affordable alternative. Any suggestion ? Cristian