MARS1960

I have just been checking the image train and decided to focus on a distant branch. when I turn (fine or coarse) to focus the branch moves up and down by about 10mm across the LCD screen. will this focus shift be causing my issues? See attached video. TIA. IMG_0476.MOV

Drat, I'm not sure what to do then Rob. I have pushed, pulled, wiggled and wobbled and this gear is so snug all three parts of it act as a single unit without even whisker of movement. Thanks for your help.

Ok thanks Rob, I'll check that now. So those numbers look ok? More images.

Thanks Rob, I think you might be looking at a different FR, I know the one that says 11.4, (73A, mine is 73R) this is mine: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/reducersflatteners/william-optics-x08-adjustable-reducer-flattener-for-zs73.html I also did CCD inspector, attached image image but not sure how to read it, good, bad? Thanks.

Thanks Rob, The 73R was apparently built with DSLR's in mind, so according to FLO website no spacing is needed (It gives the 56.8mm needed) BUT, I did just notice that I also need to move the adjuster out by 1.8mm which I have now done, maybe this will fix the issue? Not sure what happened with focus as I used the built in mask, possibly it shifted when I locked off. I'm hoping any tracking errors will sort themselves with more use. I'll be guiding next time too, I didn't do it last night as I didn't need the extra hassle just to check the scope and mount. I've just read about CCD inspector, I will download that too. Thanks.

Thanks Rob, After zooming in and seeing seagulls I was worried it might be the scope. Everything was very tight as the FF screws directly to the scope and I used a quality WO M48 DSLR adapter which gives a super snug fit. How would I cure tilt in the imaging train? I don't even know what that means :). 5 sec sub attached.

Hi all, First light with my new Ioptron CEM26 and WO ZS73 with WO 73R x0.8 FF/FR with APC-S Canon 60D. I levelled the mount, balanced everything up and did a "perfect" pole alignment with Ipolar. This is a 120sec unguided sub but something is very wrong on the right hand side, any help would be greatly appreciated.

It really did surpass my expectations Alan. When I got it out of the box I couldn't believe how well made, strong and sturdy it was for such a light tripod. Compared to my other two tripods this one just oozes quality, I'm very impressed.

Last week I posted up the arrival of my new WO ZS73 II. Today my Ioptron CEM26 arrived. I opted for the literoc 1.75” and Ipolar. I am well chuffed with this mount and tripod, even has its own built in anti vibration pads and is very well made and pretty sturdy. The mount looks rather unusual compared with my previous CGEM and HEQ5. But it certainly looks very well put together, it’s very smooth and very quiet. Just waiting for the arrival of a clear night now.

My contribution thanks to those lovely peeps at FLO. And of course William Optics. This is the most beautiful, wonderfully engineered scope I have owned and I’m chuffed to bits with it. I decided on the 73R x0.8 F/R and the ASI 120MC-S I had already purchased for moon/planets will double up as guide cam. Oooh and yep, it came with snow. :).

Most likely an old SW EQ5 or CG5, William optics don't make mounts.

I suppose you could ask dedicated wildlife photographers why they sit in (sometimes) cold cramped conditions for weeks on end tracking some animal or another! I sold up about 18 months ago but have just bought some new gear, I just could not live without the challenge of "getting that shot". I will never forget the excitement when I first saw M42 on my DSLR screen i ran into the house shouting at the wifey, "I GOT IT, I GOT IT, LOOK, LOOK, that for me makes all the waiting, all the frustration when things aren't going right and a multitude of other niggles very, very much worthwhile.

Thanks to you both guys, I almost changed my mind and went with 1.1 Flattener, but it sounds like you both agree the 0.8 FR/FF is better and that faster f ratio really appeals.

That is a gorgeous image, I do love the bright colourful ones and you have done an excellent job 👍.

Hi guys, In my basket is the below. I will be using a crop sensor camera (Canon 60D) to image and a ZWO ASI 120 to guide. 1st question: Can I get away with not buying the FF/FR? if so how much will I need to crop a large object? or should I just get it anyway for a faster f ratio and guaranteed flat field. The "wish I'd bought it now" feeling later when I've wasted a very rare clear night is not something I need lol. 2nd question: Am I forgetting anything? Thanks. William Optics x0.8 Adjustable Reducer Flattener for ZS73Model: wo-flattener-ZS73R7x in stock shipped 1-2 working days – + £219.00 William Optics 50mm Slide-base Uniguide scope with 1.25" Rotolock Colour: GoldColour: Red Model: wo_50mm_uniguide_slide_base_red4x in stock shipped 1-2 working days – + £125.00 William Optics Zenithstar 73 II APO 2019 Colour: GoldColour: Red Model: wo_zs73_rd4x in stock shipped 1-2 working days – + £549.00 William Optics DSLR-M48 Ring Adapter Choose: Canon EOS (Space Gray): £22.00Choose: Canon EOS (Black): £25.00Choose: Nikon F (Space Gray): £22.00Choose: Nikon F (Black): £25.00Choose: Sony E Mount (Black): £35.00Choose: Olympus Micro Four Thirds (Space Gray): £29.00Choose: Pentax K Mount (Space Gray): £25.00Choose: Fuji FX (Black): £35.00 Model: wo_m48_adapter_canon_black7x in stock shipped 1-2 working days – + £25.00

Thanks for your help Pierre.

If you type the camera of your interest into ebay ( IE: canon 60d body only) and check the sold filter it will list only body only ones (well 99% anyway). I'd still recommend the 60D, I have used it extensively for terrestrial and astro for years and you have the bonus of choosing cheap older lenses that match the slightly older 60D body, lenses like the 18-135mm are a great lens and very useful.

Thanks for the reply. I'm basically trying to save money, The Stellamira even comes with (needed for me) the M48 DSLR adapter saving an extra £25 on top of the £70 for the WO one or even £120 over the one you mention. The Stellarmira is definitely a perfect fit, my concern is will the reduction to f4.72 cause any imaging issues with an APS-C regards artefacts etc? I wont be submitting images, It's purely for my own entertainment. Thanks.

I have not owned this mount but it does pose an interesting question. Hopefully this may help you decide. https://starlighthunter.com/articles/az-gti-equatorial-mode/

I hope you guys can help me out and save me from making more expensive mistakes. FLO finally have what I have been waiting for (WO ZS 73 II) but I now have a dilemma. Do I really need to spend an extra £26 on the larger guide scope, or will the little £99 one do the job just as well for my amateur backyard occasional AP? https://www.firstlightoptics.com/william-optics/william-optics-50mm-slide-base-uniguide-scope-with-125-rotolock.html https://www.firstlightoptics.com/guide-cameras/william-optics-32mm-slide-base-uniguide-scope.html Do I have to buy the 1.1 Flattener, or can I save some more and buy the Stellamira 0.8 reducer/flattener for a slightly faster f ratio? will it cause any issues if I can? I just don't want to make any mistakes this time round. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/reducersflatteners/william-optics-adjustable-flattener-for-zs73.html https://www.firstlightoptics.com/stellamira-telescopes/stellamira-2-0-8x-reducer-field-flattener-with-m48-adapter.html Any help greatly appreciated.

Type it into ebay and use the filter for sold items only. But my advice would be to spend around £300 and get a decent 60D, it is one of only three Canon cameras that has a dedicated 640x480 crop mode, this is great for the moon and planets.

It's on a mount but that's easily sold at the moment. A few SW fracs there too, ED80, ED120. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TS-Optics-6-Refractor-Telescope-F6-5/174590594853?hash=item28a6690f25:g:J2QAAOSwCIJf-xoJ

I'm looking at fracs, there's a TS optics 6" frac on ebay now, too big for me but great for your use.

Thanks Tony. They look perfect, I'll drop them an email, if all is good I think it's decision made.

Thanks Tony. I'm sure a simple solution for me would be to find a couple of risers like Altair Astro did with their 72 EDF. Or just buy the 72 EDF lol.