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Everything posted by MalcolmM
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An update ... I have fairly consistently been able to merge 20mm and 10mm eyepieces with the WO Binoviewers. I had bought a second Tak LE 7.5 a while ago thinking naively it would provide good high power for steady seeing. However, I have never been able to merge the images and was on the verge of putting one of them up for sale/swap on this site. Thought I'd give it one more go tonight as seeing was good and there was lots of contrast on the moon tonight. And ... it worked! I managed to merge the images with the 7.5's. Ridiculously high power but the view was stunning. I spent half an hour soaking up Hyginus Rille, Ariadaeus Rille and the Straight Wall. Couldn't get Hadley Rille but I'm not sure the illumination was suitable. The trick was not tightening the compression ring on one of the eyepieces and basically fiddling with both of them until the images snapped together! I've come to the conclusion that it's a bit of a black art! I also spent a good while using the stock WO 20mm eyepieces and although the power was obviously much less, the view was equally fascinating in a different way! When the Binoviewers work I've got to say the views really are breathtaking! Malcolm
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Funny, that's what my partner says too Malcolm
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FS60CB and smartphone; first real success
MalcolmM replied to MalcolmM's topic in Imaging - Smartphone / Tablets
Thanks @Roy Challen, it's taken me a fair bit of experimentation to get this far and lots of help and tips from other members here. Malcolm -
Fabulous image! Malcolm
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@Stu I've a way to go yet Great detail in those pics. Malcolm
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I'm really pleased with these. They were taken through an FS60CB with a Tak LE 7.5mm and an Orion phone adapter with a 4 year old low spec Motorola phone. I'm amazed at the sharpness and detail with such a small scope and old phone. You can see a lovely X and V. Three single shots, each exposed for different parts of the moon. No post processing other than cropping. Thanks to @Stu and others for tips and techniques! Malcolm
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Very nice looking setup! Malcolm
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Pentax XW 3.5mm v Tak TOE 4mm v Vixen SLV 4mm
MalcolmM replied to IB20's topic in Discussions - Eyepieces
I took the head staggers a while ago and got all the TOE's. I find the 2.5 and 3.3 just as easy to use as the 4 and the image just as good too so I would definitely recommend all of them That being said, the only direct comparison I have made was the TOE 4 with the SLV 4 (and the Nagler zoom with each TOE). In every case I preferred the TOE. If your HR3.4 is a keeper though you would definitely want to do a comparison before shelling out on a TOE 3.3 My 2.5 TOE gets most use in my FS60CB where the scope can easily take the power (and more) but I don't have a barlow to multiply up other eyepieces to that power. Malcolm -
I'm sure I read this thread about 350 years ago and was about to reply when I got distracted by an apple hitting me on the head
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So many stars! First Light on a 10" Revelation/GSO Dobsonian
MalcolmM replied to SuburbanMak's topic in Observing - Reports
Great read and your enthusiasm and descriptions make a dedicated refractor man envious Malcolm -
Great read thanks for posting @PeterStudz and toasted marshmallows and hot chocolate is very definitely worth killing your night vision for Malcolm
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I was lucky enough to do a trek to Kala Patthar in Nepal about 15 years ago. Not only were there so many stars you just got confused and couldn't easily recognise anything, at that height the stars didn't twinkle. Unfortunately with a large full heavy rucksack on my back there was no chance of even a small pair of binoculars! Though I do remember being so utterly exhausted in the evenings I ashamedly only gave the stars a passing glance! Malcolm
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Strange artifact with Tak100 and 60
MalcolmM replied to MalcolmM's topic in Discussions - Scopes / Whole setups
I should have added that he said from a normal vision point of view I should be good for 5 to 10 years which is good. I just hope the vision through the eyepiece does not deteriorate! Malcolm -
Strange artifact with Tak100 and 60
MalcolmM replied to MalcolmM's topic in Discussions - Scopes / Whole setups
Just as an update to this in case anyone is interested! The symptom is radial dark lines coming in from the edge of the FOV. Changing eyepiece/diagonal/scope makes no difference. Slightly different pattern in each eye. I was at my opticians today and he said I had the beginnings of cataracts coming in from the edge of my eyes which would very likely cause this. Malcolm -
Being joined by a son or daughter is definitely the best! Moments to cherish! Malcolm
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My best H-alpha solar phone shots yet
MalcolmM replied to Victor Boesen's topic in Imaging - Smartphone / Tablets
Very impressive pics @Victor Boesen. They blow anything I have taken out of the water! Malcolm -
Sailing up the West Coast of Scotland, seeing the stars come out at night, staying up all night and then seeing the Moon and Venus in the early hours of the morning. So stunning I did a drawing Malcolm
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Pentax XW 3.5mm v Tak TOE 4mm v Vixen SLV 4mm
MalcolmM replied to IB20's topic in Discussions - Eyepieces
I've never used a Pentax but I had both the 4mm TOE and 4mm SLV for a while and could compare them side by side with a Tak FC100DC. I do have Takitis but I preferred looking through the TOE. I got rid of the SLV shortly after. I'm afraid I could not quantify the difference, I just found it easier to use and a better view. I've also compared side by side the TOE and the much admired Nagler 3-6 zoom. Again I prefer using the TOE, though I'll not be getting rid of the Nagler! In both cases I find the TOE easier to look through and a better more pleasing image, just don't ask me why Though from reading lots of stuff on this site, it seems eyepiece choice is a very individual thing! Malcolm -
Thanks for the heads up @Highburymark. That's some sight! The most spectacular one I've seen yet! Malcolm
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Did I see the Pup?
MalcolmM replied to MalcolmM's topic in Observing and Imaging Double and Variable Stars
Brilliant thanks. What I was seeing was definitely in the right general area. Malcolm -
Did I see the Pup?
MalcolmM replied to MalcolmM's topic in Observing and Imaging Double and Variable Stars
Thanks @Stu but unfortunately it comes up with 'could not locate item. Malcolm -
I have the Innorel RT90C. I put a Giro Ercole and Tak FC100DC on it. The good is it's extremely light. The legs fold in easily making it very easy to take through narrow doors. The legs are very easy to extend and retract. The not perfect; I feel it's not as stable as I'd really like. Nudge the focus at high power and it's 3 or 4 seconds before the vibrations stop. It does have a hook to hang a weight on but I have not tried that yet. I have not confirmed that it's the tripod rather than the Giro causing the vibrations but by all accounts, the Giro is rock solid, especially with a light 4" like the Tak. It has 4 leg sections which is more than I need; I've never used more than 3. If I were going again I think I'd go for a Gitzo Systematic. I have a small (very) Gitzo Traveller and it's perfect (though too light for a 4") and very very (surprisingly so) steady. Berlebach are fabulous too but I think a little heavier maybe? I have a UNI 8 which is rock solid but a little more awkward carrying in and out of doors. If I were having to climb 2 flights of stairs I would go as light as possible and try to extend the budget to a Gitzo! Malcolm
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Did I see the Pup?
MalcolmM replied to MalcolmM's topic in Observing and Imaging Double and Variable Stars
Thanks @jock1958 @Stu @F15Rules. I'll put it down as a definite possibility and keep trying. My 2 o'clock was very rough as what I thought I was seeing was coming and going (says he thinking could've been 1 o'clock ) Malcolm -
I've never observed double stars before but this evening the sky was a lovely deep blue, too bright for DSOs but it looked really steady. I've read alot about splitting Sirius so I thought I'd give it a go . First up FC100DC + TOE 4mm. Sirius is really tight and lovely set of diffraction rings but it's on fire! 3.3mm TOE and then 2.5 but there's nothing obvious. In fact there's nothing not obvious! I thought Rigel; I've read if you can't split Rigel there's no point in trying for the Pup. Rigel with the 2.5mm TOE was very obvious so back to Sirius. I let it drift across the FOV time and time again and then started to see something keep appearing. It was a similar separation to Rigel and it was following Sirius crossing the FOV (right to left, refractor view). I'd say it was in the 2 o'clock position or thereabouts. It was not there all the time but kept appearing in the blaze of Sirius. Is it possible this was the Pup? Or were my eyes playing tricks on me? Malcolm
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White light solar image - AR12975 and 976
MalcolmM replied to Stu's topic in Imaging - Smartphone / Tablets