NBASTRO

update... Not being satisfied with the scope the guys at Altair astro let me upgrade it to a triplet 102mm. This scope is excellant and a great thanks for the help from Altair.

Have noticed now on ALTAIR ASTRO site for this telescope have added

- We classify this telescope as a "Semi-APO" and it significantly outperforms an achromat refractor of equivalent focal length at an incredible price. With a Contrast Booster filter to remove residual chromatic aberration, it will compare to an APO costing several times the price on the moon and planets.

Pitty this wasnt clear at the time of purchasing or I would have gone for a WO or a triplet. That now explains the BLUE fringing a bit more. Not good for bright starfields or objects. A bit late now as I would have returned it if I would have known sooner.

Looks like I will have to spend more now buying additional filters to try and reduce this problem.

It does perform well otherwise and will be posting some more images soon.

Some pictures I took the other night.

Taken through a 2x 2" barlow, SW Light pollution filter.

Venus, Jupiter and the Moon.

Some colour fringing probably more due to the barlow and slightly out of focus.

I have noticed that the focus and the eyepiece-barlow setup does play a role in colour fringing on bright objects. Will be looking forward to having a good play around with my setup to see how it can be improved.

HI There

The adaptor does have a 48 x 0.75 thread. Its the same as a 2" filter thread which is interesting as the eyepiece holder that comes with the telescope will fit onto the reducer if you want a visual try with the reducer. Not actually tried it but could be interesting.

I must check the distance of the focal plane to see if it some to where it should on my Canon 450D. As far as I have seen a Canon DSLR requires 44mm of backfocus from the bayonet mount flange to the CCD Chip.

Some pics of the adaptor. A filter is fitted to the adaptor to show the thread.

I now await a practical test to see if it all matches up. Looking fairly hopeful at the moment.

Neil

Hi

I had a look around to see what sort of adators were needed and came to the conclusion that the reducer itself probably uses the same lens as found in the skywatcher reducers for their telescopes.

I found these have to connect to the SLR by the same M48 thread as the reducers for the STARWAVE telescopes.

Skywatcher produce a SLR to M48 adaptor thats the same as the one supplied by Altair Astro. Ordered one anyway to add to my adaptor collection From Harrisons. SkyWatcher Canon M48 T Ring Adaptor

Will see how it goes together when I get it.

I do like the focuser it good to have all the available adjustments. Although you do have to make sure that all the screw up parts are screwed well together as I did have the expierence of my camera in the diagonal swinging around to the drop out position but luckily being held in by the thumb screw.

Not bothered about the Dew shield bezal alignment as it doesnt affect the operation and I didnt pay teleview prices for the scope. Clear sky for a bit later so might give it another go.

Good luck with your 80 mm and hope you get a chance to get out with it.

Cheers

Neil

I was after the refractor experience so after shopping around I came across the STARWAVE 110 ED from Altair Astro. I did have a good look at the 102mm from Ian King which had been my first choice but then decided to go for the 110 mm for its slight performance increase for visual and photographic use.

I will say that for the extra 8 mm you get a much heavier and larger scope. Having had a look around to see what manufacturers were producing ED 110 refractors sort of re assured me that the lens unit would most probably be off one of these already produced models.

My first light experience from it was quite impressive. A well contrasted and bright image of Jupiter and its moons was a welcome reward. The moon also looked very clear and sharp. Im comparing the view from those I get through my Orion Optics SPX 250 Newtonian. It handled high magnification well and for the short time I used it didn’t get any colour fringing.

The focuser is indeed very substantial, steady and easily adjusted and locked into place. It’s doubly rotatable which makes it very easy to set up.

Build quality in the main is very good, no marks, no dust in tube just a few adjustments to the focuser to even up some of the tension screws and it all works very smoothly.

I got the REDUCER / FLATTENER at the same time and have yet to try this out. Must check the thread to see if its T mount as this was mentioned on another post regarding the STARWAVE 102 mm.

Only noticeable slight niggle that doesn’t affect operation was that the dew shields bezel had not been put on squarely at the scope end. See picture.

It does come with a packing come carry case as a bonus.

Will give it a full test and take some images through it next clear skies.

Any way here are some images from un boxing to pulling it apart.

Case inside, plastic bag removed.

Telescope in Case also with bag removed.

The Telescope on the case, dewshield extended.

Reducer and focuser parts dissasembled

Lens close up.

Down the tube from the eyepiece. Note paint more grey than black.

The reducer

Appologies for the page layout.

Will post more when I can get out again to give it a full propper test.

Cheers NB