Refractor or Mak with Baader Solar Film?

[DevonSkies]

I'm interested in dipping my toe into white light solar using Baader solar film. I'll probably buy one of the ready made Astrozap full aperture filters sold by FLO.

I have a Startravel 102 f/5 refractor and a 127mm f/12 Maksutov. I was wondering which would be the preferred option for white light solar? As I'm thinking of buying a ready made filter I need to choose which scope to use so that I get the right size.

Thanks for any opinions!

[andrew s]

I would go with the Mak as it has the longer native focal length but both will work.

 

Regards Andrew

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

The Mak would be better I would think. Native focal length is not really much of an issue, but the chromatic and spherical aberration of the StarTravel, and its smaller aperture are certainly issues. The chromatic aberration could be dealt with by a Solar Continuum filter, but in that case I would prefer a Herschel wedge (not suitable for the Mak!).

[Alien 13]

As a general rule whatever gives the best views on the full lunar disc (same size as the sun) will be the best option.

Alan

[alexbb]

You can fit the whole disc in a DSLR APS-C sensor with the 127 Mak. Of course, you can fit the disc also in an eyepiece.

Alex

[Bobby1970]

I did this with my ST102 some years back using full aperture home made solar filter.

 

I thought it came out pretty good at the time.

 

this one was with a 200p dob, same cropped sensor camera on both

 

[DevonSkies]

Thanks for the input. Good point about the imaging FoV, I hadn't considered that. I only have a micro 4/3 camera at the moment, which is slightly smaller than APS-C so won't quite capture the full disc with the Mak. In other respects, though, the Mak sounds like a better option.

[paulastro]

What do you mean only  a micro 4/3 camera !?