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JonHigh

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Everything posted by JonHigh

  1. JonHigh
    Thanks for your comments. And the fact I can use the Barlow on the fixed EP’s as well. Will give it a try next time out. I think I’ll keep the zoom for 8-12/16 range. Incidentally, I came across my old Meade 4000 Super Plossls the other day. 9.7 Taiwan, 26LP Japan, 32 and 40mm unmarked (poss Chinese) and a Telenegative 2x Barlow, Japan. How would these compare to the Hyperions or is it more like comparing Apple and Oranges? Worth keeping as I now have the others in my bag? Been heavily invested in imaging but my daughter has recently got me back into observing which I have been really enjoying again. The hobby that keeps on giving!
  2. JonHigh
    Hi all. Been reading the various posts about Hyperions with interest but need some help. I have the Mark 4 Hyperion zoom with the 2.25x Barlow and been fairly happy with it but have always been less keen on either end of the range (24 and 8mm). Don’t think I’m alone. I have recently been gifted the 24 and 17mm Hyperion’s and would like to complete this set of two with a third higher magnification EP - 10, 8 or 5mm? I would like to stay with the Hyperions as a matching set. OCD?? 😂 I will probably sell the zoom?! Like my photography, always preferred fixed lenses. Any pointers would be welcome… It will be used mainly with a Skymax 150 and my 102 refractor occasionally. A bit of a mixed bag of observing depending on which scope being used. F12 and F7 respectively. Also, can the 2.25x Barlow work with their EPs or just the zoom? Advice as always is appreciated.
  3. JonHigh
    Hi All. It was meant to be clear for about 30 mins the other night. How disappointing that it wasn't even 15 mins. However, before it clouded over completely I managed to capture literally one 3 minute (@Gain 120) unguided sub of the Pelican Nebula using my Altair Wave 102 triplet refractor, Altair Tri Band filter that I recently purchased and extremely pleased with, Hypercam 26C atop of my StellarDrive HEQ5 Pro mount. Processed in DXO PhotoLab. Can't wait for clearer skies to do it properly but patience is in order for now!!
  4. JonHigh
    I’m done with the weather forecast. Clear until 01:00 give or take. Ha. Was clear just long enough to do my PA and start imaging and then PHD was binging and flashing at me… The epitome of wishful thinking!!!
  5. JonHigh
    This can’t last forever. I have found the Scope Nights app to be very good or this site is quite accurate. https://www.yr.no/en to within 12 hours or so. It’s all highly annoying, you buy expensive equipment only for it to sit in a cupboard for weeks on end! Nobody gets it unless you are in to astronomy! You will love the 585 as it’s so flexible but just make sure you get plenty of dark frames and many, many short exposures. I found about 30 seconds (@ gain 252) was the longest I could go to under my Bortle 6 skies. EAA is the way to go with it. However lunar and planetary imaging will blow you away! If your pockets are a little deeper, I would strongly suggest you use that money to get a cooled Astro camera if you want to do DSO imaging; new or used (on Astro Buy and sell) it’s in a different league.
  6. JonHigh
    Sound advice but knowing my luck the scope would come off, swing out, taking the mount with it! I think I might look at updating my photography insurance policy!!! 😂
  7. JonHigh
    Thanks for the reply. I must admit I was pleased to see that Skywatcher had updated the saddle closer to the 6r when it came around to my purchase as the photos I saw were of the original one. But sure, had it have been the original, I think I would have upgraded it without question.
  8. JonHigh
    Been considering a PrimaLuce dovetail Clamp to replace the stock one as the Losmandy bracket looks a bit thin on one side as it’s curved. Seems okay and holds the scope fine but it’s holding ££££‘s of equipment. I do realize that it is rated to hold a lot more weight so am I worrying unduly?
  9. JonHigh
    Hi All. Looking to image some emission nebulas when it’s clear once again and just wanted to ask a quick question. I have a ZWO Duo-band filter which I have used but not in my recent setup (due to this awful weather) so really not sure how it will perform re halos and bringing out details however would a Tri-band work better in my Bortle 5/6 skies? Any suggestions if it’s worth it or if it is, which one?
  10. JonHigh
    I guess as I’ve bought it. Lol. Thanks for your comments and you are definitely right in what you say. I come from a photographic background which has helped a great deal but astrophotography is not normal everyday photography! With the help of Sky Safari and CDC showing me exactly what the FOV will be with the scopes and camera combination pushed me towards the 102. Glad I did having now added all the extras, it’s not a light rig!
  11. JonHigh
    Thank you. Bought the Altair Wave 102 and very pleased I didn’t go for the 115. The 102 fits the HEQ5 just right.
  12. JonHigh
    In the same boat! I’ve just bought a Altair 102 triplet and only had it out once and that was only a brief outing before the clouds rolled in! That’s not what the weather app said only 2 hours earlier.🤬 I don’t remember last year being this awful night after night. I’ve been ranting to friends about it, so happy I’m in good understanding company here. 👍🏻 By the way I use the ASI585mc for Planetary and cut my teeth with it on DSO Live staking in SharpCap. Excellent camera, you can’t go wrong with it.
  13. JonHigh
    The only issue was mounting the guide scope but Ian at Altair helped me out with the problem! Nice one. Extremely happy although did add a bit of weight but guides beautifully!
  14. JonHigh
    Hi All, after much debate I finally decided on the Altair Wave 102 refractor with a 1x flattener. Bigger than I first thought, feels very well made and very pleased. This is my first image taken with it of M13 which is also a first for me too! Will have to zoom in a bit as I like to see the full frame rather than cropping.
  15. JonHigh
    Thanks and yes. After doing a lot of research on the web, forums and club, it would seem that you are also correct. I just want to get the best images without pushing the mount anywhere nears it limits. So i will be getting an Altair Wave 102 triplet in a couple of weeks time with either a .8 reducer and/or 1x flattener. Really looking forward to it and the season to come! A healthy jump from my Evolux 82 which incidentally has served me very well! It’s a brilliant scope for what it is!
  16. JonHigh
    I did hear that Sky-watcher changed their weight limits almost over night some time ago. So being slightly conservative isn’t a bad way to go as I’m sure they know people will overload the mounts and still attain good results making them better than they are??? A good engineer always adds time to a job so when it’s done earlier than expected… we’ll need I say more. Lol.
  17. JonHigh
    Considering that’s not bad! but definitely agreed only experimental. I was toying with the idea about getting an RC6/8 with a Skywatcher 80mm guide kit and a good FPL-51 or 53 Doublet instead of the Triplet? Good to see the 8” RC works well! Only hesitation was collimating having only owned Maks and Reflectors! Still, there is no rush so having input from you all, looking around and working it out before the season kicks off again it great, then a decision must be made!!!
  18. JonHigh
    The Altair Wsve 115 version apparently weighs in at about 8Kg (17.6 lbs) and 72cm with dewshield retracted, 88cm with dewshield extended before added anything on the back. So I am guessing I might have moment arm issues (being over 1meter in length once reducer, spacers and camera are attached) as well, plus about 10.5kg (23.1lbs) in weight or so. Really thinking the Wave 102 will be a better fit. Shorter, lighter and other than a slightly narrower FOV I’m unsure exactly what the real world difference will be in imaging as I’m not going to be using it for visual purposes.
  19. JonHigh
    The SkyMax150 gives me no trouble at all on my HEQ5. Held Jupiter and Mars in place for about 2hours with zero drift last year. I wonder if C9.25 might be pushing it a bit but I’m more in to imaging so I’m always thinking about load limits I guess. However SCT/Maks are more compact than a heavy long refractor OTA!
  20. JonHigh
    That makes sense. Filters aren’t cheap either. What mount do you use? I found the EQ6r too heavy but the HEQ5 was much more manageable so ran with it. The jump from a ASI585 to a Cooled APS size sensor has completely destroyed it. And totally surpassed the limits of what the Evolux can do which is why I’m looking for a new scope. Just want to get the right one that still gives me the guiding and tracking performance I’m used to without undue stress on it. Also I would like to get the most out of the camera as it’s so capable.
  21. JonHigh
    Thanks for the link. Will have a read in a bit! Although my head is telling me the 102 my heart is saying 115. 🙄
  22. JonHigh
    Hi all, just following on from another post… I’m about to pull the trigger on the 102 triplet, an upgrade from my SW Evolux 82 doublet. However the 115 has been mentioned and has got my wondering if perhaps that might be a better bet, as this will be my only imaging scope for a long time to come! Both scopes are from Altair, both SFPL-53 glass so are basically the same. Only difference is size and weight. I have an HEQ5 mount with about 2kg+ of accessories to attach. I would be buying a reducer so that’s going to add more weight. Really don’t want to buy more stuff after this and just keep the equipment I have. Checking on the site the 102 comes in at about 6Kg whereas the 115 is about 8Kg. Presuming the reducer is about <1kg adding more weight. Will that 115 be pushing the mount to the red line? Would it be better to get the 102 making it easier on the mount and possibly better guiding therefore getting better images vs bigger aperture? Alternatively save some money and get a 102 doublet if image quality is almost the same (say within 10%) as a triplet and a RC6 or Newt to cover the bases? Hope this makes sense.
  23. JonHigh
    Yes. That’s what I was afraid of, so not a bad idea. More to work out. Thanks for the suggestion.
  24. JonHigh
    Must admit that am leaning towards the 102 triplet. If theres not much in it re glass vs aperture and comes down to other criteria then the lighter scope with all the other accessories attached to it on the HEQ5 would give me better guiding and less stress on the mount?
  25. JonHigh
    All that said the quality of other glass between the scope and the sensor must play a part? You can have an awesome lens but the light still has to travel through the reducer. So I hope it is made of equally good quality too! Lol
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