Those Pretty Telescopes

[F15Rules]

On 30/11/2022 at 14:03, CCD-Freak said:

At that time I thought a long white tube on a heavy EQ mount is what a telescope is supposed to look like.

I still think that..

Dave

[F15Rules]

On 30/11/2022 at 19:20, JeremyS said:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/vaonis-telescopes/vaonis-vespera-observation-station-smart-telescope.html
 

Sorry..but YUK!!!🤦😱

Dave

[Franklin]

33 minutes ago, F15Rules said:

  On 30/11/2022 at 19:20, JeremyS said:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/vaonis-telescopes/vaonis-vespera-observation-station-smart-telescope.html

I don't get it, just buy a coffee table HST/JWST book and look at the amazing images in the comfort of your lovely warm home.

Real amateur astronomy is done at the eyepiece, outside under the stars, freezing to death! What's not to like?

[JeremyS]

54 minutes ago, F15Rules said:

Sorry..but YUK!!!🤦😱

Dave

Missed opportunity: no handle 

[Karl Perera]

Some really beautiful telescopes here. Thanks for the pictures, they are almost like works of art, don't you think?

[Sunshine]

On 29/11/2022 at 17:53, plyscope said:

Some years ago I had two 6 inch refractors. The longer one used a D&G f15 lens. The shorter one used a Jaegers f5 lens. They were complimentary in that the f5 was good from 25x to 59x and the f15 started at 58x and was good up to 200x and more.

Wow, these certainty belong in this thread, they really are unique! 

[Sunshine]

This is just a tripod but I am giddy with its curved legs and gold accents, I pulled this image off google, may be a moonraker creation.

[mikeDnight]

A single black and white photo of John Mallas 4" Unitron was so gorgeous that it made me determined have a refractor of my own.

A 1950's advert for Unitron.

 

These are some of the ones I've owned and some I still own. IT'S AN ILLNESS AS YOU'LL SEE! They are all works of art to me, and given the British weather, why not buy a scope that's as beautiful to look at as it is to look through!

My first was a 60mm Astral. I still have a real soft spot for this scope.

Here are some more recent:

   Takahashi FS128

Takahashi FS152

 

Equinox 120

Takahashi FC100DC 

 

Takahashi FC100DZ 

Vintage Genesis SDF

 

6" F10 achromat

And a sweet vintage 60mm Carton .

 

Edited January 14, 2023 by mikeDnight

[dweller25]

@mikeDnight nothing beats the look of a good refractor 👍🙂

[Sunshine]

1 hour ago, mikeDnight said:

A single black and white photo of John Mallas 4" Unitron was so gorgeous that it made me determined have a refractor of my own.

A 1950's advert for Unitron.

 

These are some of the ones I've owned and some I still own. IT'S AN ILLNESS AS YOU'LL SEE! They are all works of art to me, and given the British weather, why not buy a scope that's as beautiful to look at as it is to look through!

My first was a 60mm Astral. I still have a real soft spot for this scope.

Here are some more recent:

   Takahashi FS128

Takahashi FS152

 

Equinox 120

Takahashi FC100DC 

 

Takahashi FC100DZ 

Vintage Genesis SDF

 

6" F10 achromat

And a sweet vintage 60mm Carton .

 

An inspiring collection! Your place must look like a monument to the refractor telescope, I notice you have an Equinox 120, I like the look of that scope with it’s silver accent rings. Having had as many refractors of such high quality as you have, does the Equinox impress and stand among the others with its head high? I have seen them once in a blue moon in the classifieds.

Edited January 14, 2023 by Sunshine

[mikeDnight]

2 hours ago, Sunshine said:

An inspiring collection! Your place must look like a monument to the refractor telescope, I notice you have an Equinox 120, I like the look of that scope with it’s silver accent rings. Having had as many refractors of such high quality as you have, does the Equinox impress and stand among the others with its head high? I have seen them once in a blue moon in the classifieds.

The Equinox 120ED is a beautiful scope and can hold its own against many other ED's both doublet and triplet. The very first time I looked through one at the Moon and jupiter, I remember exclaiming "that's very Tak"!  By that I meant I thought it was close to my Tak FS128, though the two were never used side by side. The Equinox came on the scene after I suffered a misadventure with a NP101, and it was a real breath of fresh air. However, after buying a FC100DC in 2015, I ran both scopes alongside eachother while observing Jupiter and found the DC gave a more vibrant and better defined view of the intricate belt detail, so I decided to let the Equinox go.The difference was subtle, I just prefered the DC.

[Sunshine]

1 minute ago, mikeDnight said:

The Equinox 120ED is a beautiful scope and can hold its own against many other ED's both doublet and triplet. The very first time I looked through one at the Moon and jupiter, I remember exclaiming "that's very Tak"!  By that I meant I thought it was close to my Tak FS128, though the two were never used side by side. The Equinox came on the scene after I suffered a misadventure with a NP101, and it was a real breath of fresh air. However, after buying a FC100DC in 2015, I ran both scopes alongside eachother while observing Jupiter and found the DC gave a more vibrant and better defined view of the intricate belt detail, so I decided to let the Equinox go.The difference was subtle, I just prefered the DC.

That is very interesting, that you say your DC outperformed it despite the equinox having 20mm more clear aperture, a testament to Tak optics.

[mikeDnight]

1 hour ago, Sunshine said:

That is very interesting, that you say your DC outperformed it despite the equinox having 20mm more clear aperture, a testament to Tak optics.

 It certainly appeared to do so on that night, but the Equinox had also given me some very memorable views over the years. During the Icelandic volcanic eruption some years back, they grounded the planes, and the seeing greatly improved. Jupiter through the 120 at that time was awesome. It also gave me my best ever view of the intricate detail in Saturn's rings. It really was a great scope that could pack quite a punch, so I certainly wouldn't suggest anyone should rush to sell their 120ED. They really are terrific scopes!

[markse68]

Cooke 6” Toronto 1880

https://www.flickr.com/photos/64866643@N02/38312948121/in/photostream