Flatteners for Star Watcher Evostar 72 APO Refractor Telescope

[hooloovoo]

Hi, I'm just getting started with astrophotography and have been gathering the equipment. I've purchased the Star Watcher Evostar 72 APO Refractor Telescope and I've been researching all over the place for what flattener I should purchase. I'm wondering if there's a rule on how to pick one, does it have to be a certain size, brand, type, etc? Or does just any typical flattener work?... I see a wide range of prices and Its a little unclear to me what exactly I'm looking for since some flatteners look different than others. Im planning to connect this to a Nikon D7500 and I already have the M48 T mount but I don't know if thats relevant or only for certain flatteners as well. Basically any advice on how an amateur should set up and what all I need to get going. Thanks in advance for any help and recommendations. 

[Victor Boesen]

I've had good results with the OVL field flattener with my Nikon D3300

[hooloovoo]

11 hours ago, Victor Boesen said:

I've had good results with the OVL field flattener with my Nikon D3300

Awesome, thanks! Unfortunately I can't find that with just a google search, any site suggestions of where to look? There's another one that looks very similar - the Orion Field Flattener.. Im still learning so I'm not sure if OVL is the brand or the type?  Im also wondering if I'll need any sort of extension tubes for the back focus or if just the field flattener by itself is good enough? Thanks again!

[Victor Boesen]

Just now, hooloovoo said:

Awesome, thanks! Unfortunately I can't find that with just a google search, any site suggestions of where to look? There's another one that looks very similar - the Orion Field Flattener.. Im still learning so I'm not sure if OVL is the brand or the type?  Im also wondering if I'll need any sort of extension tubes for the back focus or if just the field flattener by itself is good enough? Thanks again!

I don't need any extension tube with my D3300 and I can imagine it won't be a problem with any other DSLR. With regards to the orion field flattener, there are many items in astronomy/astrophotography that are absolutely the same just branded differently. I don't know if this is the case for the OVL field flattener and the Orion field flattener, so I'd play it safe and get the OVL since I purchased it based on other people's good experience with it.

I have purchased the majority of my gear from First light optics, and they stock the OVL field flattener at, what I would consider is, a very reasonable price compared to the branded/dedicated skywatcher flattener for the Evostar series:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/reducersflatteners/ovl-field-flattener.html

Victor

[hooloovoo]

1 hour ago, Victor Boesen said:

I don't need any extension tube with my D3300 and I can imagine it won't be a problem with any other DSLR. With regards to the orion field flattener, there are many items in astronomy/astrophotography that are absolutely the same just branded differently. I don't know if this is the case for the OVL field flattener and the Orion field flattener, so I'd play it safe and get the OVL since I purchased it based on other people's good experience with it.

I have purchased the majority of my gear from First light optics, and they stock the OVL field flattener at, what I would consider is, a very reasonable price compared to the branded/dedicated skywatcher flattener for the Evostar series:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/reducersflatteners/ovl-field-flattener.html

Victor

Perfect thank you so much, I'll keep an eye on that re-stock and order it right away! 

[knobby]

Possibly ... But check before ordering ! In stock here ...

https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/ovl-field-flattener-with-t-ring-adaptor.html

[hooloovoo]

1 hour ago, knobby said:

Possibly ... But check before ordering ! In stock here ...

https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/ovl-field-flattener-with-t-ring-adaptor.html

Darn they don't ship to the U.S.  Once I do find a field flattener though what is the size T-Ring that I need for it? Would this work or something similar of the same size 48mm?  https://www.astronomics.com/sky-watcher-48mm-t-ring-for-nikon-dslr-cameras-used-with-sky-watcher-quantum-refractor-field-flatteners.html

[hooloovoo]

Does this set up seem correct?

1. Nikon D7500
2. Standard T ring for Nikon 
3. Flattener (Still no OVL in stock, might buy the Orion or should I hold out and just get an extension tube to play with while I wait?)
4. M48mm T Ring Adapter
5. Evostar 72 Telescope. 

I'm still learning about the t rings and adapters so any advice is much appreciated.