110mm f/7 'frac + 2" 4x Powermate...

[Takahashi]

Anyone had any experience of the above combo? I've used my 2x PM with the scope, and it's great, but I'd like to get a bit "closer" to Jupiter this winter, and maybe some up close 'n' personal Lunar pics, preferably without having to use EOSmovieRecord's 5x re-sampling function. As good as it is, I'd prefer purely optical magnification if poss. I'm planning on getting the 2" 4x + T-adaptor.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[NickK]

I think you'll be pushing it (dawes limit and pixels)... what's the camera?

[Takahashi]

Nick, I usually use the 7D (aps-C sensor) for Jupiter, and the DMK21 for the Moon.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

F/30 is pushing it a bit on Jupiter with my SPC900, whereas F/25 is just about OK. The DMK has a similar physical pixel size, so I would guess F/28 would be somewhere in between. The 7D has a 4.3 micron pixel size, so F/20 might be better. A 3x Meade TeleXtender might be better (1.25", but that is plenty for planetary work).

[Takahashi]

Thanks Michael... so, f/28, ie my 110 + 4x PM might be a bit out of the usability bracket? Yep, now, when I study the numbers, I understand. Whereas the 3x would be nearer the "comfort" zone of f/20, but should give me another 10% mag over the 2x? That would be useful, but how do the TeleXtenders rate against the PMs for optical quality?

/heads for Google...

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

The Meade TeleXtenders are very comparable to powermates. I have the 2x and 3x and really like them. I will write a comparison once I get a chance to compare them with the 2.5x powermate I recently got.

[Takahashi]

Excellent, I look forward to it. It'll be a while until the good Jupiter nights are with us, and I just splurged on a flattener/reducer, so it'll have to wait anyway...

[hunterknox]

4x Powermate was perfect when I had a 120ed (f7.5). That was with an spc900.

[hunterknox]

Forgot to say - someone on here (Franck, I think) has posted some excellent results with the 4x powermate and f7+ refractors.