Focal reducer for Mak

[dark star]

I have an Intes MK 66 150mm f/12 Mak.

It is great, but I would like to get a wider field of view, for looking at large open clusters, the Pleiades etc.

I would like to get a focal reducer for visual, or a wide field

eyepiece, 40mm or even 50mm if this is possible.

Does anyone have any idea which would be better, a widefield

eyepiece or a focal reducer?

Will a focal reducer work in my telescope?

Will I need a focal reducer and field flattener?

Will a widefield eyepiece work ok? I have a 30mm Aero ED eyepeice that works well, will I get vigenetting if I get a 40mm or 50mm eyepiece.?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

I tried googling this but couldn't find a definite answer.

[peterjl]

I also have a MK66 with a Celstron focal reducer which just about fits the thread. I do not use it so much because the back focus is shortened so you cannot use a diagonal.

[peterjl]

Going off your main thread but do you have a problem with the focuser on your MK66. Mine has been getting stiffer this last year when waiting for the spring to push the mirror back.

I've tried dismantling the mirror assembly and cleaning/renewing the grease but this only helps for a short while. I usually have to wait ages for the mirror to move back (reduce focus) which makes precise focusing very difficult.

[Whippy]

Intes Micro do reducers for Mak-Casses but they appear to be quite hard to come by. The last time I looked into getting one for my old MK66, TS in Germany did them but they were not cheap.

Tony..