Solar setup questions

[JamesF]

8 minutes ago, Ags said:

Maybe I should play it safe and put one of these on the front of the scope:

https://www.cameranu.nl/nl/p497122/hoya-uv-ir-cut-filter-77mm

I wouldn't bother, personally.  I've had no problems using a wedge with my ST120.  If you're really worried about what happens off-axis, then when you're done observing just point the OTA east of the Sun or at the ground.

James

[johninderby]

Think it would sag at least. The banana scope. 😅

[JamesF]

Is it all made out of plastic then?

James

[johninderby]

Think it is plastic at both ends with a short bit of metal tube in the middle. 🤔

[JamesF]

Well at least the ST80 is mostly metal.

James

[johninderby]

Oh dear, oh dear.....shudder. 🙀

Looks like the same scope.

 

Edited May 19, 2019 by johninderby

[AdeKing]

7 hours ago, johninderby said:

Oh dear, oh dear.....shudder. 🙀

Looks like the same scope.

 

An example of how to show a product at its best (not). 

🤣🤣🤣

[Ags]

That IS its best.

[Ags]

It's decided - I am getting a TS Herschel Wedge.  For now I will use it with the ES 6.7/82 eyepiece, giving 60x magnification. To be honest I'm not sure my ST80 can take much more mag than that.

[johninderby]

The TS wedge is the best buy. 👍🏻

[Littleguy80]

9 minutes ago, johninderby said:

The TS wedge is the best buy. 👍🏻

I’m very pleased with mine! Got an ND3 filter on order so I can try it without the continuum filter for a more natural look.

 

[Merlin66]

I thought ALL Herschel wedges came pre-fitted with a ND3 filter.

They are NOT safe to use without one.

 

[johninderby]

The TS wedge comes woth a stacked continum and ND filter in one housing so if you want to just use an ND filter you need a new separate ND filter.

Edited May 28, 2019 by johninderby

[Merlin66]

OK.

I use the Baader Cool Herschel wedge.

 

[Paz]

I've used a Herschel wedge with a st80 and it was fine. The only thing of note was it was close to running out of in focus so not many eyepieces worked. I mostly use my st120 with the wedge for solar.

One comment I would add is that I went for a  1.25" wedge as it doesn't take up as much light path as a 2".

[Littleguy80]

The optical path seems quite short with with the TS wedge. I can reach focus with all my eyepieces. I have problems reaching focus with some of them using a 2” diagonal and the same scope. 

[Ags]

@Paz which wedge did you use with the ST80?

[Paz]

2 hours ago, Ags said:

@Paz which wedge did you use with the ST80?

A 1.25" Lacerta wedge.

[Ags]

Given the Brewster angle of the Lacerta, I think its optical path would be longer than a 90° wedge.

[David Smith]

3 hours ago, Ags said:

Given the Brewster angle of the Lacerta, I think its optical path would be longer than a 90° wedge.

Not in my experience. I can reach focus with my DSLR plugged into the Lacerta 1.25" wedge but not so with the Lunt 90° version.

[Ags]

Incoming!!!!

[Ags]

According to UPS...

Still incoming!!!!

[Ags]

It arrived yesterday and looks like a solid, well-built unit. I was surprised to see the back plate was made of plastic, but I guess it's not a bad thing it is not thermally conductive - that's what the heat vents are for. Looking down the eyepiece barrel I could immediately see the ND3 was not factory fitted but it only took a minute to fit it myself. Still, I think it should be fitted before shipping to help prevent any tragic accidents. It looks like I won't be able to try the unit out until Sunday at the earliest.

[Littleguy80]

2 hours ago, Ags said:

It arrived yesterday and looks like a solid, well-built unit. I was surprised to see the back plate was made of plastic, but I guess it's not a bad thing it is not thermally conductive - that's what the heat vents are for. Looking down the eyepiece barrel I could immediately see the ND3 was not factory fitted but it only took a minute to fit it myself. Still, I think it should be fitted before shipping to help prevent any tragic accidents. It looks like I won't be able to try the unit out until Sunday at the earliest.

Was your final choice the Lacerta?

[johninderby]

He posted yesterday that his TS wedge had arrived.

As far as I’m aware the TS wedge body is all metal? 🤔

Edited June 6, 2019 by johninderby