Will a diagonal provide the distance!

[Rustang]

None of my eye pieces seem to come into focus on my SW80 ED DS PRO so I'm guessing I need an extension, I would also like to get a diagonal so my question is, from anyone's experience, will the diagonal give me the extra distance to achieve focus across a range of eye pieces, 6mm up to 24mm with out the need for an extension tube. It's one of my imaging scopes mainly but I would still like to take a peak visually once in a while. I think I already know the answer but prefer to check 😊

Edited September 26, 2020 by Rustang

[johninderby]

Yes you should use a diagonal with the ED80 for visual use.  A 2” diagonal adds about 4.5” to the lightpath and the ED80 was designed with this in mind and no additional extensions are needed.

Edited September 26, 2020 by johninderby

[NGC 1502]

You don’t say what diagonal you already may own, however -

Generally speaking most 2” diagonals need to be racked in closer towards the scope than most 1.25” diagonals.

Also - is your intention to visually use the scope for astronomy or daytime viewing like birdwatching ?  For astronomy use focus will be achieved with the focuser racked closer to the scope than nearby daytime views.

Ed.

 

[Neil H]

Hi i dont think a diagonal  on its own will do it my bresser has 2 extensions an easy way to try is get the centre roll from a loo roll fit the eyepiece  and slide this into focuser  and move it in and out till you focus this will tell you how big an extension your need

Edited September 26, 2020 by Neil H

[Rustang]

1 minute ago, NGC 1502 said:

You don’t say what diagonal you already may own, however -

Generally speaking most 2” diagonals need to be racked in closer towards the scope than most 1.25” diagonals.

Also - is your intention to visually use the scope for astronomy or daytime viewing like birdwatching ?  For astronomy use focus will be achieved with the focuser racked closer to the scope than nearby daytime views.

Ed.

 

I don't have a diagonal! I'm looking to get one 😊 I intend only for the occasional astronomy use 👍

[Rustang]

2 minutes ago, Neil H said:

Hi i dont think a diagonal  on its own will do it my bresser has 2 extensions an easy way to try is get the centre roll from a loo roll fit the eyepiece  and slide this into focuser  and move it in and out till you focus this will tell you how big ab extension your need

Thanks, I will give it a try 👍

[Neil H]

If you have a barlow remove the lens this will act as an extension but wont be very long 

[johninderby]

An ED80 set up for visual with an eyepiece.

[Rustang]

2 minutes ago, johninderby said:

An ED80 set up for visual with an eyepiece.

Cheers, that's what I thought might be the case but had to check before I brought the wrong things👍

Edited September 26, 2020 by Rustang

[Neil H]

Same diagonal as the one i just got and that came off ed80 really nice diagonal 

[johninderby]

The Bresser with the Hexafoc focuser is different to the SW as they use extension tubes to allow a much greater range of in and out focus for visual and camera use.

[johnturley]

1 hour ago, johninderby said:

The Bresser with the Hexafoc focuser is different to the SW as they use extension tubes to allow a much greater range of in and out focus for visual and camera use.

The extension tubes are also required due to the very limited amount of travel on the Hexafoc focuser, only 45 mm. 

John 

[Rustang]

1 hour ago, Neil H said:

Same diagonal as the one i just got and that came off ed80 really nice diagonal 

Which ones that? Would you recommend it then? 

[johninderby]

Best buy in new diagonals at the moment would be the Revelation Quartz. Bargain price for what is a premium grade diagonal. Used they go for £70.00 to £80.00.

https://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/revelation-quartz-dielectric-diagonal-2.html#SID=566

[Neil H]

3 hours ago, Rustang said:

Which ones that? Would you recommend it then? 

It is the sw deluxe 2 inch 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/diagonals/skywatcher-di-electric-star-diagonal.html