richard ashbee

amazing photo

well done

Looks great worth the effort

On 20/05/2018 at 12:34, Mark at Beaufort said:

I bought a PST in 2005 initially to view an Annular eclipse followed by a Total eclipse a year later. I was very happy with my PST which I felt covered my needs. About 15 months ago I borrowed a Double Stack, at a star party, which screwed into the front of the PST. The difference it made was amazing IMHO.

Several months later a S/H DS came up on the SGL classifieds (£400) - I bought it and over the last year I have had some very enjoyable views of the solar surface. I do compare the standard PST with the DS in place from time to time and it confirms that I am glad that I bought the DS.

I agree that it does dim the view but I put a cover over my head which works brilliantly.

where did you get the black cover from? - thanks

great set of photos

Thanks , its all about the timing

very good, what method did you use to focus

superb detail

1 hour ago, Peter Drew said:

I've seen no evidence that unmatched (even different make) etalons suffer any inherent degradation.      🙂

That's the problem, some says you need a match others don't - its a minefield.

Similar situation on whether a pressure tuned or tilted is better

Has Lunt provided any information to your knowledge?

very impressed

Nigella great photo, do you think the matched Etalons need to be for the tilted and not important for a pressure tuned scope? lot to pay out if I make wrong decision- thanks

On 20/05/2018 at 10:19, alanjgreen said:

Mark,

Firstly, I dont want to get into one of these "my setup is best so lets write something to make me fell good about what I spent on all this kit".

The first thing is you need to state what solar scope you own? Then we can offer a targeted response to whether double stacking will offer a "better" visual view.

As stated above double stacking does dim the image (this is a disadvantage) - if your scope has small aperture and the image is already dim then this may push you over the edge. If you decide to add a front etalon that is not full aperture such as adding a front 50mm to a 60mm scope then this is also going to cut your brightness by an increased amount.

To the question "will I see more" then it is a fact that a double etalon changes the bandpass and allows more to be seen.

My history in solar:

I started with a single stack tilt tune LS60 (in 2013 when the sun was active on the surface) and liked the view but wanted to see more surface detail (detail that I could turn the focuser and actually see in sharp focus).

I sold that scope.

Next I purchased a double stack pressure tuned LS60 (with DS60 front etalon) as a "matched" pair from Lunt. The view was beyond compare to what the single stack LS60 could provide. The sheer amount of features available to be seen on the solar surface was increased many fold. I was able to tune the scope and focus in sharply on these features. Sure the image was slightly darker but it never bothered me in any way.

Now I am binoviewing the DS60 setup which has further dimmed the image but not to my dissactisfaction and the view IMHO is better than one eye with the same scope.

Finaly, I added a "rotator" and discovered that rotating the front etalon also allows more solar features to come in and out of view. This would be impossible in a single stack scope.

I have absolutely no intention of selling this solar scope and love the views it has given me over the 4 years that I have owned it. I would not go back to single stack and find it odd that anyone says they would (but thats my humble opinion and I am entitled to it!).

I have never tried an LS80 so whether thats better or not I cannot say. But I did plenty of research on DEDICATED solar forums before I spent £1000s and the opinion there was that double stack "shows more stuff".

I suggest that you tell us what solar scope you have (if you have one) and that you seek out these dedicated solar forums where you will quickly be able to search out 100s of posts of people asking the same question and read the responses they received but do take some responses with a "pinch of salt". Solar is an expensive hobby and unfortunately there are too many people wanting to convince themselves they spent wisely and bought the best kit or state opinions after having spent 5 minutes looking through someone elses scope  (not referring to anyone above in this comment but its a fact).

Finally, bear in mind that the sun is not doing much in Ha at the moment (compared to solar max in 2014) so what you are going to see is pretty thin gruel on offer. You may be better getting a good single stack scope and planning to add a full aperture double stack later when the solar cycle increases (may be a few years yet )

If you don't own a scope then second hand bargains do come up but most second hand scopes are for sale "over priced" so consider carefully before jumping on one of them.

HTH,

Alan

Hi Alan

could you give some advice please. Lots of debate about whether or how to match a DS60, some shops say they don't have to do it but many on the forum say it has to match the scope. Is this only for tilted or pressure tuned scopes or both. Anyone know what to look for whether they are matched or not. Lot of money to pay out  for a Lunt LS60 and DS60,if its not correct.

thanks for the help

Welcome to SGL, should find plenty to keep you happy

Been  a few sun Halo's in Shetland over past few weeks, this one at Scalloway

Just been told that the DS60 may be back in stock back end of next week or early week after

many thanks for your comments

A warm welcome to the group from a sunny Shetland

Thanks for the replies very helpful. Just had a reply back from Lunt USA and they advise me to use Bresser in Germany. 

The light is from a building opposite

Looking back a couple of years ago when we had a very active Aurora in Shetland, at the end of the season now but looking forward to another great Aurora

Thanks far too cloudy on Shetland

Are there any other cameras that could be considered?

some good detail Michael

great shot, how are you finding the solar quest?

great photos