Show us your Frac

[Chris]

You got one then, I saw that you were after one on ABS I like the upgraded focuser knob. Looks like one of the earlier models because the gold is shiney not speckled. Just to check, what colour is the objective? I know some of the earlier models had problems with rusting where the objective goes a cloudy orange colour, still usuable but less contrast apparently.  

[Rainmaker]

My two little refractors:

Foreground is the c1880 Berry & Mackay (Aberdeen) 3.25" F15 Brass refractor on Library Stand

At the back a bit more modern  Takahashi FC76DC Hybrid on Porta II and Manfrotto 055CX3

Edited October 22, 2015 by Rainmaker

[garryblueboy]

Hi Chris it's got the blue optics and is only 2 years old double checked before purchase as I'd read about the rusty optics

[Chris]

That's good to hear Garry, sounds like a gooden

[garryblueboy]

Really nice guy done a fair bit of solar and other photography so showed me some images

And was really open and honest and yeah a really good bargain now all I need is a zoom eyepice

And a 34 mm 2 inch or above and I'm set lol

[Cjg]

Mine taken last night at Seething, too bright for anything other than looking for double stars. But still managed to find my favourite; Kemble's Cascade.

[mikeDnight]

I quite like this scope.

I do fancy having a lighter-weight alt-az mount for real grab and go but we'll see.

I quite like you're scope too Stu.

My grab and go altaz is simplicity itself, a bit like its owner. I decided to use my Vixen tripod as it has a wider spread and is somewhat chunkier than the Chinese aluminium tripod though still lightweight. I also did a bit of a paint job on the altaz head. All I need to do now is design slow motion drives in both axes and it would be near perfect for my scope. It's certainly a better altaz than the Vixen Ports, which vibrates like a tuning fork and couldn't carry my NP101 without serious vibration issues.

The big plus though is that it's as cheap as chips and the whole setup can be carried over one arm.

Mike

Edited October 23, 2015 by mikeDnight

[Paz]

A few more from me, just to keep these Vespa, sorry I mean these Dob and Newt boys in check

Carton 60mm f16.7

TV76

Stellarvue 80ED

Home made scope for kids, 50mm binocular object, toothpaste tube and film canister ;)

William Optics ZS66 SD

Pearl River Televue Genesis f5

Not mine of course, but thought it worth posting

Wow - so many good set ups! However I am slightly worried by that Williams Optics - there appears to be a huge hand grenade stuck in the eyepiece holder!

[ianaiken]

[Stu]

Ian, you can't just post a wonderful setup like that up with no explanation [emoji3]. First off, just how many scopes are hiding on that mount?

[ianaiken]

I couldn't decide if to go piggyback or side by side so I did both! :-)  3 scopes: C9.25, William Optics GT81 Gold, TS Imaging Star71.  The QHY8L is on the reduced GT81, the Atik 460EXM and EFW2 is on the TS71, along with the OAG (QHY5L-ii M).  I have an ASI120MM-S for the C9.25 plus a range of EPs.  I can also use my 600D but this may suffer from field rotation if the OAG is on another scope, I need to test that more.  I also move the Atik cam to the C9.25 when galaxy season is upon us.

The only reason I mounted it all on the EQ8 is because the C9 was sitting in a bag for most of the year and I was reluctant to take off a frac for a little bit of lunar imaging or some visual now and then.... so why not.  It works and guides well.

[RT65CB-SWL]

Here is an interesting one...

note: the dew shield is shown in 'extended' mode.

It is a WW1 sighting telescope. The writing on the side of the tube reads the following...

/|\

W. Watson & Sons Ltd

London

1916

N^o 5308

SIGHTING TEL N^o 4 MarkIII

As the 'scope is 99 years old, I thought I would share it with you.

Thank you for looking.

Edited October 26, 2015 by Philip R

[DRT]

Have you tried pointing that at the sky, Philip? The Moon perhaps?

[RT65CB-SWL]

Hi Derek, I have and I get the feel of what Galileo must have been seeing in the 16^th/17^th century with his telescopes.

[mcolbert]

Target line test device for Caliber 105, possibly for a Leopard I (?)  I'm wanting to place that on the next mount with the 130.  Maybe experiment with some cmos imaging - see what can be done and what not. VS FOV but brilliant clear optics.  The other gem is a zeiss theodolite which will also be adapted for imaging.  The guidescope I'm working on (not pictured) is an old 500mm telephoto.

[Stub Mandrel]

> The guidescope I'm working on (not pictured) is an old 500mm telephoto.

Interesting, I'm thinking of making a t-mount fitting focuser, if tehre's enough room, it would be fun to make my 500mm f8 lens into a very compact grab'n'go maksutov

[Highburymark]

My first (night viewing) refractor

[garryblueboy]

Thanks to a SGL member emadmussa I now have this fantastic Bazooka

[DRT]

Nice one, Garry. I saw that a few minutes after the advert was posted and had to close down my machine to stop myself buying it!

That should give you some great wide field views

[garryblueboy]

Yeah that's what I want it for got the triplet for the planets etc

[Chris]

Nice one Garry Like Derek I had to sit on my hands, suppose to be selling not buying! Great bargain though so I bet plenty of use were tempted by it. It would be great to hear your thoughts on it? I have the 5" f/9.4 version and the optics are lovely for an achro, and a bargain at the new price net alone second hand  

[garryblueboy]

Yeah Chris I was surprised it was not snapped up right away I've been looking for a while for a short tube nearly pulled the trigger on an old blue tube SW glad I didn't now and this was cheaper can't wait to try It out will post up report when I do didn't realise what a canon it is .

[Special K]

That was a cracking deal Garry, and I could have been tempted if I had known......but it all happened so quickly!! Enjoy

[CHASLX200]

Here are the twins. Vixen 80mm and 102mm.

[recceranger]

ED80 Customised!