RT65CB-SWL

Hi @Bluemoonman and welcome to SGL. At £49.00 + P&P from FLO, I don't think you can get much better than these in terms of value... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/bst-starguider-eyepieces.html A useful tool/utility to play about with, is the... http://astronomy.tools/calculators/field_of_view/

Hi @nft_photo_art and welcome to SGL.

Same happens here at some GB/UK airports too!

G’day @spcookiee and welcome to SGL. Ask mum & dad nicely and invest in some of these... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/bst-starguider-eyepieces.html

When I flew from LGW to VAR in 1999 for the solar eclipse, LGW check-in/handling agent wanted me to place my ‘scope case, (which was your regular aluminium camera/photographer case), in the hold. I refused to do so. Through passport control & security, the x-ray machine operator/staff flagged it for closer examination/screening and asked: “What the hell is that?” He was a little ‘miffed’ when my LHR staff ID fell out of my pocket whilst I was getting my passport from my jacket pocket and muttering something. Upon departing VAR check-in staff, passport control & security, etc., I had no issues. One VAR airport x-ray machine operator/security staff said: “Nice telescope...” (referring to my TeleVue Ranger) “...You see eclipse?” The tripod, mount, 2x SLR’s, photo lenses, 6x rolls of 35mm film, photography bag, etc., went in the suitcase, protected by my clothes.

There was a similar post started a few years ago. For me it would be my TeleVue Ranger, TV e/p’s, Lunt solar/Herschel wedge, etc., as per image below.

Like the last two. The foreground/silhouette makes it more interesting.

That is one hell of a diffraction spike! 😜

Thank you @Peter Drew Thinking back, maybe I should have added a 'before' and 'after' image. I always regret posting topics after I have completed something! I do not think it has any coating that I can/could see, though the main objective lens element has. This too has had a 'gentle' clean with some Baader Optical Wonder.

I think it still needs a little tweak looking at the centre ones. Though the bright one at eleven o'clock looks OK.

"You're havin' a giraffe!"* - said in faux 'Cockney'/'Eastenders' dialect! * translated: "One is having a good laugh!"

Yes... they would be the 1/4"-20, 1/4" BSW or 1/4" Whitworth. The only metric thread that I know of that is 'compatible' with its imperial equivalent is... M10 = 3/8"

I had a Vixen GP. (images below) There are times when I regret selling it. It was smooth to manually track, solid and built to last. The Sky-Watcher EQ3 PRO SynScan is not quite in the same league IMHO.

I have recently cleaned my Photax 400mm telephoto lens and noticed the rear lens element is/was slightly cloudy/foggy. I removed the lens element and left it to soak in some acetone based nail polish remover for about six weeks, rotating the the lens and topping up the container every few days as it evaporates. Before that, I left it to soak in some undiluted bleach for two weeks and then some isopropyl and rinsed of with some distilled water in between and dried with cotton wool and lens cloth/tissue. Today I have given it a 'final' clean with some Baader Optical Wonder and it is still appears a little bit cloudy/foggy, but better than it was before. Can anyone recommend a good lens polish? ...or should I leave it as it is? Tnx in adv.

...if 'Yes!' then they are 1/4"-20 threaded holes, as mentioned above by @Louis D Here in GB/UK 🇬🇧 they are called 1/4" BSW or 1/4" Whitworth. I would not use M6.

Another useful tip… if imaging on soft or soggy ground and stop the tripod sinking under its weight is to use three custard tin lids, (one under each leg). If you don’t like custard, then a known brand of savoury snack or Jaffa Cakes that comes in a tube will do.

No one has mentioned this… https://www.firstlightoptics.com/other-collimation-tools/rigel-aline-collimation-cap.html a collimation cap!

His @Starprincess1966 / Chris and welcome to SGL.

Silly me! I have just seen what ‘scope and mount you are using from the title, so ignore Q1. For now I would concentrate on the balance. From the description it sounds tail-end heavy. If it is, then you can add some weight to the front-end. Another solution maybe to attach a longer dovetail bar. Do not over tighten anything on the mount, as many ‘cheap’ mounts tend to use nylon/plastic gears. Over tightening risks stripping the teeth off the gears.

Hi @martinwalter and welcome to SGL. Can you add a photo/image, as it may help SGL’ers to help and solve your problem. Q1. What ‘scope and mount are you using? Q2. Have you tried to reposition the ‘scope with the camera attached and get it to balance? Q3. What do you intend to image?

When used with a Baader Solar Continuum filter... get used to seeing the Sun in green.

When used with the Solar Continuum filter, Baader Solar Continuum Filter | First Light Optics - get used to seeing the Sun in green. Also adding another polarising filter, Baader Single Polarising Filter | First Light Optics is a good idea too.

I will second as to what @ollypenrice said. Once dry from the 'home-brew' recipe, repeat with the Baader Optical Wonder fluid. Using a dew shield may help to reduce the FOD*. Mak's and SCT's are notorious dew & dust magnets. * [F]oreign [O]bject [D]ebris

Hi @Matttt and welcome to SGL.

Hi @Daf and welcome to SGL.