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Solar B

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Posts posted by Solar B

    First ever Ha views

    in Observing - Solar

    Posted

    Great News Alan HA is intoxicating , an SV50 is perhaps best described as the ultimate intro to HA as it’s basically downhill from there (avoid Lunt if at all possible) but I am more than happy to help as this is the one area that I can advise upon.

    Brian 

    • Like 1

    Solar 6" Refractor Quandary

    in Discussions - Scopes / Whole setups

    Posted

    10 hours ago, michael.h.f.wilkinson said:

    The degree of spherical aberration is of particular importance here as is focal ratio. The Skywatcher 6" F/5 is too fast to my liking, and suffers more from SA than the others I was considering. The F/8 is too long and cumbersome. F/6.5 hits quite the sweet spot with my Baader TZ-4, F/5.9 is a touch short, but with the 4.5x telecentric underway, that is not an issue. Mechanically and optically the Technosky/TS 152mm F/5.9 edges out the ES AR152, apparently

    Yes perhaps with a more sensitive etalon for imaging the SA will matter , I used

    my SW150 with a Quark and it was a good match , but have long since given up 

    on the solids as I call them ! , I'm sure the Techno will be great however none of 

    the given optics can be described as well configured , I still hanker after a really 

    good APO for WL but it would only be for solar use.

    Brian 

     

    Lunt vs Daystar vs Coronado?

    in Observing - Solar

    Posted

    The SMIII will be superior to the Lunt as has a externally mounted etalon (think they 

    start as 10mm BFs now ?) 

    Quark is a different experience altogether , if your after mags then go for that but 

    I never recommend solid etalons for HA beginners.

    Brian 

    Lunt LS50

    in Observing - Solar

    Posted

    Ken will be acutely aware of de contacting I'm sure Peter but many are not 

    and I've just read a post about such !

    We all try swapping round with HA filters and I did try an SM40 on a LS50 once 

    on a old CN thread ... " Lunt still dissapoints "

    Brian 

    Lunt LS50

    in Observing - Solar

    Posted

    Ken , what about some very carefully applied lubrication , just enough so that 

    it doesn't run onto the handheld areas ? I was under the impression that 

    etalons could handle some heat but perhaps not too much either.

    Brian 

    New Lunt modular solar scope triple stack

    in Observing - Solar

    Posted · Edited by Solar B

    I attempted a Lunt Triple stack in 08 with an LS60 and two 50s (no external 60s back then) and of course it didn't work (posted on CN at the time), as I recall an Andy Denvy did often "very" successfully image with a rare Coronado/Solarscope 100/90/90 crossover triple stack , again on CN some 10yrs ago from memory , more recently on here I tried a 60,60,40 Coronado with some more success than the Lunt , I'll try a 60mm triple as soon as conditions allow in Scotland 🌞

    I think that factory matched DS scopes & filters perhaps more recently ? do tend to preform much better in DS mode than SS  meaning that they appear to be heavily set or weighted toward DS views and my recent experiences concur.

    But Lunt v Solarscope 😅

    Brian 

     

    • Like 1

    First Light with Daystar SS60

    in Observing - Solar

    Posted

    It's fantastic that your getting such great views already , I don't personally recommend 

    solid etalons for the first foray into HA viewing as they don't offer the relaxed views of air spaced etalons.

    However I am sure that the HA bug is already reeling you in.

    Brian 

    Lunt 40mm solar scope vs Lunt 60mm solar scope ?

    in Observing - Solar

    Posted · Edited by Solar B

    I reckon that working at these kind of F 

    ratios the contrast will be good even with 

    a Lunt but the whole question about 

    imaging is it’s not real , perhaps the ultimate 

    example would be if one was hypothetically 

    in space and observing horsehead 

    it wouldn’t look remotely like the pillars 

    of creation would it ?

    Brian 

     

    • Like 1

    Newbie Ha Solar Scope Questions please

    in Observing - Solar

    Posted

    9 hours ago, Nigella Bryant said:

    I actually disagree entirely with your comment. My Lunt 60mm double stack is excellent. In fact certain people have commented that I have indeed an excellent example when I asked a question about triple stacking as I consistently get good contrast and surface features with it. I agree that it is hit and miss with etchalons but just because you had bad luck doesn't mean every Lunt is the same. 

    That's fine Nigella you are of course entitled to your opinion , however mine is 

    is based trying and owning 6-7 Lunts as  ultimately they are massed produced items ,

      to achieve true etalon finesse it requires time and skill to obtain real plate 

    flatness and parallelism , someone on CN (much less charitable then even me 

    're Lunt) used to call the 50 & 60mms toys !  and he believed that it was only 

    with the 80mm that good etalon finesse was achieved.

    Further I base my opinions upon owning  Coronado and previously Solarscope and 

    Daystar products.

    Brian 

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Newbie Ha Solar Scope Questions please

    in Observing - Solar

    Posted

    I,m not a Lunt fan at all , I've tried & owned various 50s & 60s and have found them 

    all to be poor and lacking in etalon finesse ! 

    The best configuration is to go back to the very basics and have all externally mounted etalons (there is still to this day no substitute)

    The Solar astronomers and imagers that I respect the most from some 15 yrs 

    ago do not use Lunt etalons as frankly they all know better.

    Brian 

     

     

     

    • Sad 1

    Pricey zooms worth the money?

    in Discussions - Eyepieces

    Posted · Edited by Solar B

    19 hours ago, Don Pensack said:

    My advice: save your money.  The XL zoom is not very sharp, is very dark, and suffers from astigmatism in the outer 50% of the field.

    The Baader Zoom is better in every way.

    It's cool Don thanks .... I'm not spending any more on EPs for years .... I went way over budget this year .... but would like to have tried an XL

    Brian

     

     

    Pricey zooms worth the money?

    in Discussions - Eyepieces

    Posted · Edited by Solar B

    In response to the topic title I would say yes as you do get what you pay for 

    But as ever they are subject (like any EP) to the laws of diminishing returns ...

    My money would be on the Baader as you've got to go some to beat that , i normally 

    use the Leica ASPH for everything now but would love to try the Pentax XL zoom  (not XF) 

    Brian 

     

     

    Zeiss microscope eyepieces

    in Discussions - Eyepieces

    Posted

    Intrigued I looked further into the Leica EPs as believe them to be the real McCoy & enquired if they come housed in the legendary silver boxes , they don't apparently but do come in dedicated bolt cases , I'm still not buying them but in my opinion it's not a case of if can Leica keep up with the best from T.V , Pentax , Tak & TMB ect it's more a case of can they keep up with 🔴

    Brian 

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