Upgrading solar set up for binoviewing

[Highburymark]

I realise this is a bit of an obscure question, but I would like to upgrade my little 50mm Lunt for binoviewing. However, when I bought the scope last year, I only got the B400 blocking filter, which I've only subsequently discovered is not bino-friendly. Ideally there would be a thriving secondhand market for Lunt blocking filters - so I could sell mine and move up to a B600 unit (the cost of a new B600 is around £400), but that appears not to be the case. If there are any more experienced solar specialists out there who know more about the market for pre-owned gear than me, is there any point me trying to sell my B400, and do B600s ever come up for sale?

Maybe this is one aspiration too far?

[jabeoo1]

What is the cost of a B400?

[Highburymark]

Good question but not one I can answer as they don't seem to be sold separately. The difference between the 400 and the 600 As part of the scope (current FLO prices) is £110. But can't find anywhere selling the B400 separately - even the Lunt website.

[jabeoo1]

I noticed the lack of available off the shelf B400's too. I am pretty sure at one time you could buy one on its own, maybe they are made to order as they are replaced on a basis that they occasionally get dropped & only sold with the LS50's.  Also the discontinued LS35 can take a B600, so I am wondering if and when they do get damaged whether folk just opt for the B600 upgrade for both LS50 & LS35's?

I suspect you need to look for someone who owns a Lunt 60 who wants to make the upgrade to a B1200 from the B600.  Probably a bit of a tall order too.  

Saying that I may be able to help you here as I have the B600 & have no intension of imaging or Binocular viewing,  my only concern is the reduced FOV on my manual mount being too restrictive and driving me mad.  What is the difference in FOV between the B400 & B600?  I can't find any FOV calculator that shows this.  Maybe a technically minded person who understands the maths and the change in light-cone size can help out here.  

More practically though: we could both take an afocal image using our 15mm TV plossls and see the difference?  That might help. 

[Highburymark]

James - very kind of you to suggest but am sure the b400 would have a noticeably narrower fov and frustration factor if you're used to the 600. But exactly how much difference the blocking filters make at the eyepiece would be interesting to find out. 

[jabeoo1]

18 hours ago, Highburymark said:

James - very kind of you to suggest but am sure the b400 would have a noticeably narrower fov and frustration factor if you're used to the 600. But exactly how much difference the blocking filters make at the eyepiece would be interesting to find out. 

Maybe your right, we should take the images I suggest as a reference anyway its useful info I cant find elsewhere. Then take it from there. 

[Highburymark]

Will try and take a pic with my iPhone if we have clear skies at the weekend. It would be my very first attempt at astro photography of any kind - so don't think I'll bother posting the result on the solar imaging forum

[Paul73]

At sgl10 I had a very memorable bino Viewing experience (courtesy of an, at one time, richer SHL member).

He had two PSTs on a fork mout (one double stacked). Great great views. Amazingly this is a moderately cheap option..,,,,

Paul

[Stu]

4 hours ago, Highburymark said:

Will try and take a pic with my iPhone if we have clear skies at the weekend. It would be my very first attempt at astro photography of any kind - so don't think I'll bother posting the result on the solar imaging forum

Go for it Mark, I have been known to amuse the solar imaging forum with an iPhone image or two  

[Highburymark]

If I manage to match those shots Stu I will die happy.