Sol WL 30-03-17 - John's got a wedge

[johnfosteruk]

I've been thinking about it for a while, but after reading @johninderby's review of the Lacerta wedge with the Brewster angle I pulled the trigger.

I went for the 1.25" version to sit on the 100mm (they recommend the 2" for 120mm aperture and above) and I love it, also got the polarising filter for the extra contrast.

Managed to have first light within an hour of delivery, although there's lots of cloud and lots of haze between the clouds so by the time I played around with various adapters to achieve focus (about 3mm inward travel remaining in the end) I could only grab 20 frames, but they're all worlds apart from anything I've done under such conditions before so I'm happy, I love it.

Had a short spell of vis too and the contrast was stunning, all else considered. When it's next properly clear I'll compare images with and without the polarising filter, just to see the benefits for myself.

So, 20 frames at 1/1000s, ISO 100, cropped and aligned with Pipp, stacked in AS!2, wavelets in Registax and finished with Photoshop. Less exposure next time though as they were slightly blown, but not so much I couldn't produce a result.

Mono (reduced to 60% size)

Colour (reduced to 60% size)

100% crop 1

100% crop 2

 

[xtreemchaos]

wedgetastic John, you wont regret buying it mate, my lunt was a big step forward for me when I first got it " gone backwards since ". well done . charl.

[johninderby]

I think,we're going to see a lot of these Lacerta wedges about pretty soon. Very, very nice bit of kit and very reasonably priced. I love mine.

Very nice result considering the poor conditions.  

              John

[triton1]

Just glad it wasn't titled "Johns got a wedgy"?Nice images.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Very nice indeed. Nice to have some fair-sized spots and clear skies too when new solar kit arrives

[Davey-T]

New gear, clearish sky and spots, hope you haven't been making sacrifices to the Sun god John  

Dave

[laudropb]

Very nice John. How did you eventually achieve enough inward focus ? This has been my main problem with the Lunt wedge.

[Stu]

Lovely pics John. I think Wedges are great bits of kit

[Ibbo!]

great start with the new wedge

[johnfosteruk]

1 hour ago, xtreemchaos said:

wedgetastic John, you wont regret buying it mate, my lunt was a big step forward for me when I first got it " gone backwards since ". well done . charl.

As long as it's less steps backwards than it was forwards you're doing ok Charl. 

Thanks mate. 

[johnfosteruk]

1 hour ago, johninderby said:

I think,we're going to see a lot of these Lacerta wedges about pretty soon.

Thanks. I think you're right John. 

[johnfosteruk]

1 hour ago, triton1 said:

Just glad it wasn't titled "Johns got a wedgy"?Nice images.

 I was very careful to make sure I didn't type that ??

[johnfosteruk]

22 minutes ago, michael.h.f.wilkinson said:

Very nice indeed. Nice to have some fair-sized spots and clear skies too when new solar kit arrives

I know. I'll pay for it in due course no doubt

[johnfosteruk]

18 minutes ago, Davey-T said:

New gear, clearish sky and spots, hope you haven't been making sacrifices to the Sun god John  

Dave

Yup. The Present Mrs Foster is sadly no more. 

[johnfosteruk]

18 minutes ago, laudropb said:

Very nice John. How did you eventually achieve enough inward focus ? This has been my main problem with the Lunt wedge.

I used the 2" adapter pictured here which came with big blue and gave me just enough inward travel as I said. Lucky am I

[johnfosteruk]

13 minutes ago, Stu said:

Lovely pics John. I think Wedges are great bits of kit

Thanks Stu. I agree 

[johnfosteruk]

5 minutes ago, Ibbo! said:

great start with the new wedge

Cheers Steve. 

[Macavity]

VERY Nice! My 1.25" is a step up from my MDF ring Baader Film sandwiches...
if not the "Posh Baader" offering! Mostly I fear forgetting to attach the thing! 

[johninderby]

Note to Baader:

Cut the price of your Cool wedge in half as you've now got a competitor that's just as good if not better and a lot less expensive.

           John

[johnfosteruk]

2 minutes ago, Macavity said:

VERY Nice! My 1.25" is a step up from my MDF ring Baader Film sandwiches...

Thanks Chris. A little more playing around required to get the most out of it I feel but it's definitely worth it

4 minutes ago, Macavity said:

Mostly I fear forgetting to attach the thing! 

Funnily enough I took the wedge out when I was done and thought to myself 'that's a pretty projection of the sun on the wall' oops

no harm done. But must remember next time!!!

[Pete Presland]

A fine start there, some nice detail visible.