TS Optics Photoline 80mm + TSRed279 Reducer

[Andyb90]

Hi Everyone, 

I'm looking for a smaller refractor for imaging from dark sites. It will be going on an heq5 pro for now.

I'd be using it with my asi1600, zwo mini efw and zwo oag.

I've spotted the TS Optics Photoline 80mm refractor and TSRED279 reducer. Would be great to hear if anyone has experience of imaging with this scope and the reducer? Are you happy with it?

Also does Teleskop Express offer any kind of testing or check on the optics? Does the reducer offer good correction across the field?

Andy.

[vlaiv]

Hi, I have such a combo, and so far I'm loving it (also on heq5).

I did have slight issues with reducer - namely tilt, and my latest purchase is supposed to sort it out - M63 - M48 adapter + rotator for direct mounting on end of TS 2.5" focuser.

That is something that I would recommend, but for time being, won't comment on it until I get a chance to actually use it like that (4th month waiting for clear skies).

Other than tilt issue with reducer, I noticed a slight shift in focuser when changing direction, that is something that can happen in R&P focusers, and it is not really much of a problem - shift is 10" or less in mine. There are a lot of options to adjust focuser, but I have not fiddled with it yet.

Optics on mine are great, I did Roddier test on it, there is thread somewhere with diagrams. Oh, here it is:

It gives good resolution with ASI1600, 2"/pixel for wide-ish field (well in my book wide field - I like high res imaging).

Here are some images that I took with that combo (one in lum only, and one in LRGB - second one I did a bit better reprocess later on).

Just full res image link: http://serve.trimacka.net/astro/2017-05-27/M13-wide-v2.jpg

Reprocessed full res image link: http://serve.trimacka.net/astro/2017-10-19/m31-color-v4-optimized.png
 

As for TS, I think you can order individual bench test of optics, but I believe they inspect photoline scopes prior to shipping, at least that is what I think I've read on their website.

One more thing to note, I barely had room to fit all of the goodies after reducer, so please check the spacing. I'm using OAG16 (16mm not the thinnest one that is 9mm) and filter drawer instead of filter wheel, and only spacer was I think 5mm T2 one to get everything correct - so not much room. Other than that you might try OAG in front of reducer - but you will need some extensions on it for guide cam to reach the focus.

As for reducer performance - like I said, I had tilt issues, this means that there were different aberrations in different corners, and depending on clamping that would change. Check stars in corners - in first image it was more stable but spacing was off - in second it was worse (that is I think 3 nights image, so different clamping each night).

Hope this helps, and if you have any questions, just ask.

[Andyb90]

Thanks for all of the info. I'll drop TS an email to check on the optical test. I think I should be able to fit everything into the 61mm spacing. Is this the adapter you have?

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p5144_TS-Optics-Adapter-from-M68-and-M63-to-M48---Riccardi-Connection-Adapter.html

Would that allow a threaded connection between the scope and reducer? I'm not so keen on push fit connections.

Andy.

[vlaiv]

2 minutes ago, Andyb90 said:

Thanks for all of the info. I'll drop TS an email to check on the optical test. I think I should be able to fit everything into the 61mm spacing. Is this the adapter you have?

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p5144_TS-Optics-Adapter-from-M68-and-M63-to-M48---Riccardi-Connection-Adapter.html

Would that allow a threaded connection between the scope and reducer? I'm not so keen on push fit connections.

Andy.

That one, paired with:

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p9781_TS-Optics-360--Rotation---Thread-Adapter---M63-to-M68--M54-and-2-.html

I'm just not keen on rotating OTA in the rings, so I added that one as well to be able to rotate sensor (well, whole assembly, so I don't have to mind OAG position if I rotate only camera).

For the test I found this:

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p5793_Interferometrical-Test-Report---complete-telecopes-and-mirrors.html

While, on the other hand it states in one item description:

"Every single apochromat is tested and perfectly adjusted on our optical bench prior to shipping."

Not sure if that still applies (or whether it applies only to this particular item), but can be found on this page:

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p3041_TS-Optics-PHOTOLINE-115-mm-f-6-96-Triplet-APO-with-2-5--RP-focuser-1-11.html

as a last bullet point on right side.

Some other items also have similar text like:

"Every single TS 102mm Apo is being tested in our optical workshop in order to guarantee the promised performance. Of course the triplet lens is mounted in a fully adjustable, temperature compensated cell."

or

"Every apochromat is checked on the optical bench by Teleskop-Service and is shipped with star test and Ronchi test."

But yes, probably best would be to ask them directly.