New StellaMira 90mm ED triplet - First Look

[Chris]

This is the latest in the range of StellaMira refracting telescopes by First Light Optics, and they have kindly loaned me one to play around with! At this early stage this video is purely a first look and an overview of the specs, however there will be more to come as I test the scope out for both imaging and visual in the coming weeks

Please excuse the intro, I like to spice things up a bit. 

 

[RobertI]

Watched the video Chris, very informative and entertaining as always.

Am I right in thinking that the dewshiled could retract further, making the scope shorter for travel, if the the rings were removed/moved?

[Chris]

36 minutes ago, RobertI said:

Watched the video Chris, very informative and entertaining as always.

Am I right in thinking that the dewshiled could retract further, making the scope shorter for travel, if the the rings were removed/moved?

Thanks Rob and good spot! I was able to get the length down a further 1cm by removing the rings or even pushing the rings as far as they would go down the tube. The StellaMira 90mm will go as short as 46cm this way   

[Concordia000]

It's so small... which is a good thing. Maybe I will get one of those for travel eventually.

[Martthebass]

Following.  Seriously considering upgrading my current GT71 set up to this.  Am I right to assume that the flattener/reducer threads into the back end in the same way as on the GT71?

[Andrew_B]

18 hours ago, Martthebass said:

Following.  Seriously considering upgrading my current GT71 set up to this.  Am I right to assume that the flattener/reducer threads into the back end in the same way as on the GT71?

According to FLO it screws onto the end of the focuser with an M63 x1 thread by the looks of it.

[Chris]

23 hours ago, Martthebass said:

Following.  Seriously considering upgrading my current GT71 set up to this.  Am I right to assume that the flattener/reducer threads into the back end in the same way as on the GT71?

As Andrew said, it's an M63 thread and the 0.8 RF screws on smoothly.

Annoyingly my EXOS2 mount decided to stop working when I tried to test the scope, however I have another mount on the way so hopefully I'll have some luck in the next couple of weeks : ) 

[Martthebass]

Thanks Chris, putting my order in imminently.  Hopefully I've got enough spacers to be able to set up the back focus with my ZWO 533 if not I'll have to pop along to RVO and get some bits next week.  Not sure if I'll keep my little GT71, the focus lengths are similar so I may end up letting it go once I've had a chance to set up the Stellamira.   I've love to keep both but I suspect that unless I bought another mount (and the space to put it) one will just gather dust.

[Chris]

35 minutes ago, Martthebass said:

 Hopefully I've got enough spacers to be able to set up the back focus with my ZWO 533

The flange to sensor distance for the ASI 533 is 17.5mm, so you would need 37.5mm of M48 spacers to make up the 55mm back focus.. 

Now it so happens that the ASI 533 comes with M48 to T2 16.5mm and T2 21mm extension tubes which add together to make this 37.5mm!

You should be all set

[Martthebass]

Thanks Chris you are a gentleman and a scholar.

One thing I will have to sort is a 40cm dew band that connects to my AAP. It’s getting nippy of a evening in these parts

Edited November 6, 2021 by Martthebass

[nfotis]

Nice looking scope. Any possibility of a flattener only?

I think that many people would like to retain this focal length and just correct any aberrations.

N.F.

 

[Chris]

43 minutes ago, nfotis said:

Nice looking scope. Any possibility of a flattener only?

I think that many people would like to retain this focal length and just correct any aberrations.

N.F.

 

I think this is a good point, I will check with colleagues to see if there are any plans for a dedicated flattener without any reducing effect.

Otherwise, I'm curious how well the OVL field flattener would work with the StellaMira 90 EDT? After all it is optimised for f/5.5 to f6 scopes.

The only initial down side would be that it's push fit and a lot of people prefer a more secure screwed connection:

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

 

[Highburymark]

Looks like a very impressive package - particularly light for a 90mm triplet. Look forward to hearing how it performs visually, even if it will appeal mostly to imagers. Potentially a do everything travel scope. Appreciate the informative video.

[Rafael]

I had been looking for a new APO for some time and think this is exactly what i was looking for.

I could not resist and just made the order with reducer and hope that it is quickly with me in Switzerland. 

The beautiful look has of course also helped for the decision... 😉 

[Richard_]

20 hours ago, Chris said:

I think this is a good point, I will check with colleagues to see if there are any plans for a dedicated flattener without any reducing effect.

Otherwise, I'm curious how well the OVL field flattener would work with the StellaMira 90 EDT? After all it is optimised for f/5.5 to f6 scopes.

The only initial down side would be that it's push fit and a lot of people prefer a more secure screwed connection:

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

 

As an FYI, this was the reasons why I didn't choose the WO FLT91 or this telescope - there are only reducers and no x1.0 flattener available. However, much to the delight of FLO, it did mean I ended up ordering a larger telescope for more money! 😁

[Boki Aristarh]

Beautiful little scope... 

[Mr Spock]

I saw one of these close to recently. It's an absolute beauty.

[Mark at Beaufort]

42 minutes ago, Mr Spock said:

I saw one of these close to recently. It's an absolute beauty.

Yes Michael it was rather nice together with the iOptron mount

[Mr Spock]

9 minutes ago, Mark at Beaufort said:

Yes Michael it was rather nice together with the iOptron mount

My bank manager said no 

[Martthebass]

Order placed....bank account depleted.  Rickenbacker 4003 sold to prevent bank manager shouting at me....

Sadly mine won't be particularly colour coordinated as it will sit on a SW AZEQ5.

[Martthebass]

Sadly it’s a ‘definitely contains clouds’ but I’ll enjoy building up the rig over the week.

Strehl - 0.989! 

Edited November 12, 2021 by Martthebass

[Rafael]

Everything ready for first light in Switzerland. It could be clear on Friday with 100% moon 😬

[Martthebass]

Well the weather apps seem to be telling me porkies again, supposed to have had 4/5 hours of pretty clear skies tonight....that turned out to be 90 minutes. Still, I managed to give the new Stellmira 90mm a full hour on the western veil. I still need to refine the balance in RA as the guiding figures are a bit off but overall I’m impressed so far and it seems a worthwhile upgrade on my WO GT71. Still sorting the cal frames so this is 20 x 3 min subs stacked on the AAP and lightly processed in LR. l-enhance employed as the moon is on the bright side....

[Mattynorth]

Well ain’t that just a thing of beauty. This arrived yesterday. Was waiting so long for more reviews on this but decided I can’t wait any longer. I’m really feeling confident this is going to perform as good as it looks and feels. Have mainly used WO and Altair triplets until now so will be comparing them to this. Looks like it might get some decent first light tonight and might give some ha ago when the moons out. But so far I have high expectations from this. And on top of that it s a work of art sitting on my HEQ5 

[Martthebass]

I like the carbon fibre coordination there Matty.  I also like the top mounting of the AAP and Guide, I think I'll adopt that as I'm still battling with RA balance with my AZEQ5 based set up - depending where it's pointing.