focal reducers and barlows

[captaincaveman]

Just a couple of questions, does anyone use focal reducers for non astrophotography uses? is there a benefit or anything useable for refractors/sct's for visual use on dso's?

Can you stil get hold of 1.5-2 barlows and are they worth it? my thinking was to get hold of one to treble(rather than double) my eye pieces, if so does anyone know of online suppliers?

Thanks

[Merlin66]

On an SCT there's still some benefits of using the x0.63 reducer.....

Re barlows, there's plenty of x2 barlows around (with additional spacing can work up to x3)

I prefer the Klee x2.2 or x2.8 barlows ( I just ordered a TMB x 1.8 to test it out...)

[captaincaveman]

On an SCT there's still some benefits of using the x0.63 reducer.....

Re barlows, there's plenty of x2 barlows around (with additional spacing can work up to x3)

I prefer the Klee x2.2 or x2.8 barlows ( I just ordered a TMB x 1.8 to test it out...)

thanks for the reply, would that also be the case for a 5" mak?

[Merlin66]

I found on the smaller Mak's that the size of the internal baffle limited most of the benefits of adding a reducer. It's really designed as a f12 scope for planetary and small FOV stuff.

[captaincaveman]

I found on the smaller Mak's that the size of the internal baffle limited most of the benefits of adding a reducer. It's really designed as a f12 scope for planetary and small FOV stuff.

Thanks for that, saves me wasting money on something with limited usage, well at least its something to keep in mind once i go down the larger sct route:D