ZS73 - lens supports visible, should it go back?

[blinky]

I got a William Optics ZS73 a few months ago and now only getting round to use it due to the weather! Anyway, I noticed last night that I can see the lens cell supports as shadows round stars, is this normal or should I ask for a replacement?

 

[david_taurus83]

It's normal though some lens cells seem to introduce it more than others. I see it in my GT71 but not to the point where it distracts. I think of it as an artifact of the design, like diffraction spikes on a Newtonian.

[blinky]

Cool, that was more or less the answer I was looking for!  Thanks for confirming

[John]

I guess lens supports = the foil spacers between the lens elements ?

Some scope designs use spacer rings in place of foil spacers which would not be visible in images in the same way ?

[Adam J]

Honestly that's what happens when WO try to get another millimetre out of a 72mm lense. 

[Gabby76]

Some apo lens cells have "shipping screws" that are supposed to be backed off before delivery and can produce image artifacts such as this. 

I would contact WO and ask them about it. 

[jimjam11]

@blinky interesting. Did you ever do anything about this? I just got a ZS73 and it is super sharp but I noticed the exact same phenomenon in stars...

[blinky]

Nah, never did anything, happy that its pretty normal and TBH the least of my worries with the crap weather, guiding and processing!  Love the scope though, got an electronic focuser for it as well which is great

[blinky]

Finally got round to emailing WO, apparently when it gets to zero degrees the screws are too tight, they have asked where I purchased from, I assume to send back.....

[blinky]

[blinky]

William Optics have came back today and said when the temp is around zero degrees I should use a dew band - anybody heard of this before, is it normal to use a dew band on fracs when the temperature is around freezing?

[Kaliska]

4 hours ago, blinky said:

William Optics have came back today and said when the temp is around zero degrees I should use a dew band - anybody heard of this before, is it normal to use a dew band on fracs when the temperature is around freezing?

I've always used a dew band on my frac to prevent dew forming on the front lens, be it summer or winter.

[jimjam11]

Me too, I never use a frac or camera lens without one

[blinky]

I generally only switch it on if its really cold, usually I dont bother  - will give it a try and see how the stars look with the band on a decent heat.

[blinky]

Its going back to RVO on Monday, apparently they have a workshop and are going to contact WO to see if it can be done by them or needs shipped back

[Adam J]

22 hours ago, blinky said:

Its going back to RVO on Monday, apparently they have a workshop and are going to contact WO to see if it can be done by them or needs shipped back

That is quite a saga, hope it gets fixed. For the record I would not have found it acceptable. 

[blinky]

Just to conclude this - it was away for around 2 weeks, RVO sent it back to WO - here is a quick snap from last night, loads of cloud about, but I think the stars are fixed now!

[Adam J]

7 hours ago, blinky said:

Just to conclude this - 

Glad you got it fixed, I would not have accepted that.