alan potts

You can buy focal reducers, I have two of them for my 115mm APO. One is a .79 focal reducer and the other is a 0.6, I think. I say I think because I tried it and it needs shims to get the corners sharp, so it doesn't work straight out the box on my scope which it should. I don't happen to have any shims. I probably should have returned it to FLO but as I live abroad I just couldn't be bothered so it's on the shelf. I am not sure how they would work with your scope but FLO are knowledgeable bunch and I am sure could advise you as to the best choice, just because I have one that don't work well first time, it doesn't mean it won't for you.

Alan

Outstanding Olly!!

Alan

That's a superb image it's low down here and I am 11 degrees better off than you. It is a target I want to get on to but weather has been very poor since April, it was clear last night but look where the Moon is.

Alan

4 hours ago, Rodd said:

I made that same mistake a while ago. Had to look it up to convince myself. For some reason I could have sworn the Andromeda Galaxy was M32.  

Got a feeling it's not the first time I have made this error either.

Alan

13 hours ago, Rodd said:

Thanks Alan. Yes, this is an interesting one. Too bad it’s not closer, like M31

Oh dear, didn't notice that mistake, but you knew what I meant. M32 what am I think of.

Alan

Best I have seen on that one, really superb detail for a galaxy that doesn't appear quite like M32

Alan

Double wow Olly, incredible work, that would have won the constellations competition for sure.

Alan

Fabulous image Olly, I'm always losing data too, and I don't think I have a fraction of that you have.

Alan

Lovely set of images, great Rosette image you have taken there.

Alan

Fabulous image Rodd, lovely detail.

Alan

That's a rather lovely image, love all the dust and some nice detail in there too.

Alan

That is as good as any image I have seen from any photographer on here and lets face it some of them are pretty damn good.

Alan

Words fail me, you don't just talk the talk Olly you delivery as well. Maybe the best image I have seen.

Alan

2 hours ago, Franklin said:

That's the culprit, with a 1.25" prism which has a light path under 70mm instead of a 2" with a light path well over 100mm he'll be saving at least 30-40mm which will make all the difference when trying to reach focus. He may still need a 1.7x GPC or regular barlow nosepiece. 

Thank you I will pass this on to him,

Alan

2 hours ago, Stu said:

Just so it’s clear, do you mean one of the 152mm f5.9 refractors Alan?

Which version of the Baaders, first or second?

Yes thats the refractor but I don't know the viewer, but he has only just bought it, so I imagine it's the later one.

Alan

58 minutes ago, Franklin said:

If he puts a Baader 1.7X GPC in there it should reach focus. Also he will need to use a short diagonal, a 2" mirror diagonal is too long, they take up too much back focus. The Baader 32mm T2 prism diagonal is ideal and has the T2 fittings for even more back focus saving.

Yes he is using a TeleVue 2 inch diagonal, I will pass this on.

Alan

I am asking this for a friend out here as his English isn't so great. He has a T/S 6 inch scope the focal length is about the 900mm mark, I am not totally sure. He has a Baader Bino viewer and cannot get focus with it. He states when he moves it backward he feels it gets worst though this is not with an extension sleeve and only holding in line above the diagonal. Any pointers to help him out?

Alan

I don't know if this is your problem but I imaged this with a F4.3 scope and racked up 5 hours of 3 min subs with a OSC camera and I could hardly see it, it needs a lot of time I believe.

Alan

What a lovely capture, everything looks just right.

Alan

That is a very nice shot, I keep looking at these dual band filters. I don't have a light pollution problem but would be nice to image at above 3/4 Moon.

Alan

Really brings out the detail Rodd, 3 superb shots though by anyone's standards!!

Alan

Stunning work Rodd. I have to ask why are you getting spikes on the stars in the Running Man shot, which I assume is a crop.

Alan

Nicely done Steve. I always feel there is a tendency to over saturate images, something I am sure I do myself, always nice to see a subtle colouration of an image. What I do find interesting it the double star at '3 o'clock comes out better in the colour image. And if this spell corrector tells me I can't spell colour once more I will scream.

Best wishes.

Alan 

I think you have done a great job on this, i did a couple of hours on this last year and of course can't match you fine capture.

Alan

Great piece of work, not the the sort of thing we normally try which is what I like about your work, always something different. Must mount up my M/N 190mm, never going to be in your class but I can at least see what I get.

Alan

Your work is always so nicely presented and somewhat different to most I see.

Alan