plyscope

There was a recent up-tick in the exchange rate so I took advantage and purchased another FC76. I had let the last one go as part of an exchange of scopes a few years ago. The rings and dovetail are from K-Astec. As shown in the photo with rings, dovetail, 6x30 finder and prism diagonal, the combined weight is 2.40kg.

It is a Losmandy. It fits the Rowan AZ100 very well. Andy

The Matsumoto system uses two mirrors to give an erect image. These can be used in binocular pairs. http://ems-bino.com/ems-product-line-english/

That is a great idea to add a finder to the other plate @josefk. Thanks for sharing the picture. 👍

Recently I upgraded the ring set for this FS152 from the original Takahashi double ring with bridge plate to the new K-Astec double ring set. Although I have been the owner of this scope for over three years now it has not seen much use. This is partly due to me being busy and partly due to the inconvenience of setting it up. In order to make amends I have been trying to reduce the weight where possible and also make the mount more convenient to get going. I am also taking an extended break from work . 🙂 I am using the second dovetail clamp for an adjustable balance weight. After using this with two 0.5kg weights, I think it I need to experiment with larger weights. With the AZ100 on a pier with wheels it is possible to wheel everything back in to the shed in a minute or so. Replacing the ring set reduced the lifting weight of the OTA by 1.3kg. I also replaced the manhole lens cover with a thin lightweight one as supplied for the TOA130. other than those two things the only other way to reduce overall weight is to replace the focuser with something lighter. Andy

It is a beauty and I never expected to own one myself. However it was available locally for a reasonable price and I sold off some other scopes (D&G 6" f15 and 5" f15) and was able to purchase it from the original owner. That was about 3 years ago and I still have not used it as much as I would like. My work takes me away from home for weeks at a time. When I am home other things have taken priority however, I do expect to have a bit more free time in the coming months. I will post some updates in the Show your Takahashi thread later. I understand why Mike sold his one on and I know there will come a time when I pass this one on to the next owner. It is a delight to own and use in the meantime. I am trying to make it as as light and convenient as possible.

Here it is, sadly on the table and not on the mount. I will try and get better pics when I get to use it.

Received a new K-Astec ring set from Japan. This one weighs only 1.53kg complete, compared to 2.85kg for the original. A nice birthday present for my FS152 which is 20 years old this year. 🙂

This book has plans and instructions to make a tube and a mount for a 6" f15 refractor. http://www.company7.com/books/products/berrybuild.html

There may be a small loss in light transmission due to lack of coatings but still the lens has potential to be a wonderful telescope. If you cannot find a suitable metal tube it is possible to make a lightweight tube from thin high quality plywood. Some years ago I purchased a 6" f15 lens from the US and made a tube for it. There is a description on this link. https://www.iceinspace.com.au/41-340-0-0-1-0.html Since then I made other telescopes using a similar method. The method is described in more detail in this thread about a 5" f12. https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/325327-5-f12-istar-refractor-project/#entry4171500 It is also possible to fold the telescope using high quality flat mirrors to shorten the tube. Mounting a long tube like this requires a solid mounting. An EQ6 is probably not suitable.

Refractors have certainly got me hooked. I was able to visit Florence a few years ago and see some of Galileo's telescopes.

Yes I am confidant they are the same manufacturer. I like them both. The APM with centre focus is more versatile for general purpose use. The TS is the better choice for marine use as it is more protected. Optically they seem almost the same. There is some more information in this link; https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/676116-apm-8x30-ed-and-6x30-porro-binoculars-prototypes/?p=9634993 Comparing them early this morning on star clusters and just general scanning the heavens, my first impression is that they are virtually the same with regards to optical performance.

Telescope Express have a special on the little 6x30 ED so I bought one to compare with the APM 6x30 that have had for a couple of years. https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p15261_TS-Optics-6x30-ED-APO-Outdoor-Binoculars---Magnesium-Body.html

I received the new 179mm lens cap from Kyoei Osaka and it fits the FS152 as expected. It is painted in the new silver colour, not the green as Johns is in the photos above. It has a full circle of felt not the three pieces. This makes it very tight fitting but I guess that will ease in use as the felt compresses over time.

Stephen Tonkin has a review of the Stellar 16x80. https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/reviews/binoculars/helios-stellar-ii-16x80-binoculars And Pinac has some comments on the Lightquest 16x80. https://binocular.ch/helios-lightquest-hr-16x80/

Yes the 152 has the collimation screws at the rear of the cell outside the lens hood. The 128 has them at the front of the cell inside the lens hood. https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/473016-fs-128-vs-fs-152sv/

The lenscoat soft covers are a great idea. I believe the lens cover diameter is the same for the FS128, FS152 and the TOA130 at 179mm OD. Therefore the TOA130 lens cap should fit. They are a lighter, thin aluminium cover that slips over the outside of the lens hood. I have recently ordered one from Kyoei Osaka and will let you know how it goes once I have it in hand. https://www.kyoei-osaka.jp/SHOP/takahashi-TS-A218.html

I owned a TSA 102 for many years. I had the opportunity to replace it with a TSA 120 and have no regrets. The FS128 will be awesome. Go for it!

Thank you Steve for your books and website. 👍

In the photo its a Vixen GPD2 on a Berlebach Uni 18 tripod. There is also the Rowan AZ100 on a Berlebach Planet.

It is 15 years since I bought my first Takahashi, a nice TSA 102S. It was a fantastic scope and I only let it go to trade for a TSA 120.

I like how they put the sliding tail piece on the 140 and 185. Gives more back-focus options and reduces storage size. They achieve the same thing with the removable tube section on the 102 and 120.

Between 20 and 30 years ago? FS152 was produced between 1995 and 2005, not sure about the FCT150.

Here is an old Sky and Telescope magazine advertisement.

For a short while I owned both of these. The Stellamira 110mm f6 is a great scope however for my use the Starfield ticks more boxes.. https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/399680-stallamira-110ed-f6-refractor/#comment-4288505