M27 with SkyMax 150 Maksutov

[JonHigh]

Hi All, 

Been busy modifying my SkyMax 150. I must admit I was concerned about taking the meniscus lens off the OTA but with some advice it wasn't that difficult in the end. I liberated the vixen dovetail and was surprised just how small the mounting screws were and no load bearing brackets either! Got a pair of Skywatcher 6" Newt tube rings and two Losmandy plates; short one for the top to hold the guide scope and the long one for the bottom.  Happily enough it was warm out last night so I could take my time trying to set everything up. However after mucking about for 2 hours I finally got there. This is my very first DSO image taken with a 6" Maksutov. I only managed to get 25 4 minute subs before the transparency made it impossible to continue. Shame really. 

 

Edited October 17, 2023 by JonHigh
Uploaded The FrankenMak!

[Roy Foreman]

Well done, especially as weather stopped play.  Happens to me very frequently !

[JonHigh]

Yes. It’s very annoying especially in my Bortle 6 skies. 

[windjammer]

What is that wallpaper !

[JonHigh]

Retro wallpaper!!! 😂 

 

[Paul M]

That's a great image. Classic Dumbbell

 

[bosun21]

Lovely image 👍. I am actually humming and hawing as to whether I should pull the trigger on a SW 150 myself.

[JonHigh]

7 hours ago, bosun21 said:

Lovely image 👍. I am actually humming and hawing as to whether I should pull the trigger on a SW 150 myself.

Go for it. It’s a lovely scope for observing with especially the Moon, planets and double stars. The detail it produces is fantastic. The images I have are outstanding as well! Now with lots of patience and after seeing what it can produce on DSO’s I’m even more pleased with it! People told me you can’t use it for DSO as it’s so slow and narrow FOV. I think I have proven a point. Of course you can! If you want to convert it to use a mounted guide scope, the 150 is relatively easy to do. The 180 might be harder to get rings at a reasonable cost. How it compares to a faster SCT I’m not sure as I don’t have one but was almost double the price at the time. I will however, at some point be comparing it with my 4” Triplet with the same camera. But for the smaller objects I just wanted to fill the frame rather than having to crop heavily. 

Edited September 11, 2023 by JonHigh

[Mr Spock]

Excellent image. 

6 minutes ago, JonHigh said:

People told me you can’t use it for DSO as it’s so slow and narrow FOV

Your results prove otherwise 👍