Reducer Lens .7x - EdgeHD 1100 - Celestron I have/had both the Celestron (Japan) and Antares units. They usually have a 2" barrel that slides into the telescope focuser. In both cases will end with a similar tfov. Reducer Lens .7x - EdgeHD 800 Learn More. We reserve the right to verify a competitor's advertised price and the availability of the item. That includes, for example, a 1.25" eyepiece with an apparent field of view of 68 and a focal length of 24mm (eg. Your eyepieces are the first accessories you should learn to use with your telescope. The naming convention of SCT focal reducers is a little confusing. They are also less expensive than many external focusers of similar build quality. Reducer - Corrector Learn More.
Celestron & Antares f/6.3 Reducer/Corrector Shoot-out But is there a difference in quality between the Antares and the Celestron or Meade focal reducers? As a result, the smaller tube may cut into the light cone and effectively reduce the working aperture of the telescope. Hi - most interesting - may I ask .. the brighter guys - "if a camera sensor is too small for a n adaper, will a focal reduer allow me to get greater use from the camera? For me, I was looking for, and planning to keep, the one that yielded the greatest reduction. The author finds differences in throughput and color balance, but then says he thinks the lenses are identical and he reaches his conclusions based on very long observing session. The Celestron is both a corrector and focal reducer and the Antares is just a focal reducer. One focal reducer will not achieve optimum results with all types of telescopes, so there is no universal' focal reducer. I have both the Antares and the Celestron reducers. During a twenty-year scientific career, he developed laser systems to detect molecules found in interstellar space and planetary atmospheres, and leveraged his expertise to create laser technology for optical communications networks. The telescope side of the barrel is often threaded with an M48 x 0.75 thread for standard 2" astronomy filters. The Reducer/Corrector can also be used for terrestrial digiscoping.
Focal Reducer, 2", 0.7X - Antares In these equations: The combined focal length of the objective and focal reducer is given by Equation 1: For example, when d1=0, that is, the focal reducer is at the focal plane of the objective, Fcomb=Fo, so the focal reducer has no effect. However, these will not impact optical performance. It was used strictly for imaging, not visual observing. . It is recommended for . Once installed, you can add additional accessories like T-Adapters, 1.25 Visual Back, Star Diagonal, or Off-Axis Guider. As I understand it, compared to the old Meade SCT's, the ACF is already "coma corrected", so the standard Meade, Celestron etc F6.3 focal reducers are not suitable and will only worsen the images. If yes, what kind of focal reducers can I use? However, manufacturers virtually never provide this specification. As one increases, the other decreases. It has only one cover, which surprised me. Well done. It's important to match the back focus to within a millimeter or two to get an optimal image, especially with cameras with larger sensors. Many focal reducers for refractors have a working distance (or back focus distance) of 55mm. Start Chat Celestrons patented StarSense Technology makes it easier than ever to locate objects in the night sky, even if youve never used a telescope before. Even though the manufacturer did not specify the working distance or focal length of this reducer, it is easy to see from this plot that this item provides its stated reduction of 0.5x when it is placed at a working distance of 51.5mm between the base of the threads on the mount and the focal plane of the eyepiece or camera. But the smaller image circle means there is a limit to the field stop of an eyepiece that can achieve an unvignetted image. Some refractors such the TeleVue Nagler-Petzval (NP), the Takahashi "FSQ", and the William Optics Redcat/WhiteCat 51 have inherently flat fields because of internal optical elements. Thanks. The reduction factor MR can also be written in terms of d2 as: When the focal reducer is placed at the working distance, D, that is when d2=D, then the reduction factor MR is equal to the design reduction factor MRD: Equations (6) and (7) imply these important considerations: Most manufacturers do not publish the focal length of their focal reducers, so it is not usually possible to calculate the working distance and design reduction factor. In your opinion, is the Celestron is worth the added cost ($150 vs. $90)? Wow, that is a very detailed discussion! I also used several eyepieces including the ES 24mm/68, 17.5mm and 12.5mm Morpheuses, and a 10.5mm Pentax XL. Completely stuck, completely frustrated. In this configuration, the 29.5mm camera nosepiece and a 6mm extension ring positions the reducer at a working distance of 53.5mm from the camera sensor, which is located 12.5mm inside the front edge of the camera. With the Celestron Reducer/Corrector Lens, thats precisely what you get. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. This Antares 1.25" 0.5x focal reducer lens (tele-compressor) is used under the Orion brand name to thread into the nosepiece of Orion StarShoot Solar System cameras and StarShoot Deep Space Color Imaging Camera. Perfect for the serious student, professional scientist and discriminating hobbyist. Also read the reviews here, including those at 4 stars. Imagine having two telescopes in one a long focal length instrument for lunar and planetary work and a short focal length scope for deep sky observing and astrophotography. For this test, I used a single configuration R/C, Click-lock, and 1.25 diagonal with the adapter. For both imaging and visual observing, these reducers also improve image sharpness at the edge of the field by correcting for coma and field curvature.
Weasner's Meade and Antares Focal Reducers Review I have an 8SE, and am thinking about getting a focal reducer. We only send interesting emails and will never sell your data.
Back-Focus 101: DSLR Cameras & the Celestron f/6.3 Reducer - YouTube 0.5X focal reducer for Celestron, Meade, and Orion CCD imaging cameras It must be in stock at the time of Price Match for us to make a guarantee. It was also a little brighter in the center of the field with subtle darkening in the outer 20% or so. 800-483-6287 Based on Test 1 and Test 2, I think there is perhaps more validity to opposing statements here in these forums that the Antares and current China-made Celestron do, indeed, have exactly the same optics just with different housings and branding. . The Celestron f/6.3 is ~150 compared to the Antares at ~70. I only have the Celestron f/6.3. Quite interestingly it bears the very same engravings of the Meade 4000 r/c (including "series 4000") except for "MEADE". Most Feather Touch focusers cost between $300-$350. For example, many focal reducers designed for f/7 or f/8 ED refractors such as those from Tele Vue, William Optics, Sky-Watcher, and Meade are designed to have a working distance (or back focus) of 55mm. You cannot, for example, use a 0.63x focal reducer intended for a standard Celestron or Meade SCT and use it on a Celestron Edge HD or a Meade ACF. I found both to be very good. Can you tell me about the use of reducers in Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes? Housings, threads, reduction, correction, blah, blah, blah. However, this also came at a cost, as the sky background in the Antares was slightly brighter. I have a made in Japan 6.3 R/C and a made in China 6.3 R/C. Newtonian reflectors will seldom be able to accommodate the in-focus travel demanded by focal reducers. Read our guide! This may be a problem if the focuser tube or the diagonal (for visual observing) is too narrow to accept light at this larger angle. This award-winning optical system reduces visual defects like field curvature and coma, creating an ultra-flat field for pinpoint stars all the way to the edge of todays largest imaging sensors. USD $80.00. With spring galaxy season here, I decided to pick up a couple more to compare in a head-to-head shoot out. What an enjoyable read and detailed comparison. Each focal reducer has a fixed specification called the working distance or required back focus. This factor is designated by a power that is less than 1, and it usually lies between 0.5x or 0.8x. The Best Dedicated Astronomy Cameras for Beginners, Astronomik OIII 12nm CCD Filter - T-Threads, Pegasus Astro Dual Motor Focus Controller, 10 Micron 12kg (26.45lbs) Stainless Steel Counterweight- GM 2000, I would like more information regarding stock availability dates. Just point the telescope at any three bright objectsstars, bright planets, or even the Moonand your telescope can orient itself with the night sky. Edited by Tony Bonanno, 16 April 2021 - 06:44 PM. Even though they may have been slightly dimmer, galaxies were a bit easier to tease out of the urban light soup I deal with. This would tell us exactly how well aberrations are corrected. For both imaging and visual observing, these reducers also improve image sharpness at the edge of the field by correcting for coma and field curvature. You also wont be unhappy spending the few extra bucks on the Celestron for the pretty orange lettering, particularly if you can pick one up used, as I did. Details: The item must be the identical item, brand name, size, weight, color, quantity and model number. A few large telescopes and mounts are excluded from this free shipping offer. SKU: CEL-94245. The review is a subjective visual impression, which is interesting but not best evidence. As another example,GSO makes focal reducers for their line of Ritchey-Chretien imaging telescopes. InternetSales@optcorp.com. Go behind the scenes with Celestrons product development team and learn more about our award-winning and patented innovations. This is the simplest way to attach your ASI121 to your telescope. In some cases, focal reducers also act as field flatteners by correcting for field curvature and coma of the objective lens. While most Barlow lenses and focal extenders work with most kinds of telescopes available to amateur astronomers, focal reducers are designed to work in a narrow range of focal ratios of a telescope objective. If the reducer is placed closer to the eyepiece or camera than the distance D, the reduction factor decreases. I happily cycle through LRGB filters to build the image rather than do a whole run of one filter at a time. These reducers have a back focus (or design working distance) of 80mm. Description. This "speeds up" the optical train by reducing the focal length and magnification of the scope, requiring less time to integrate the same signal. Take control of your telescope! Fortunately, my neighbors are not out in their backyards at 11 pm, or they may have thought I was torturing a small mammal. Photographically you also get a wider field and much shorter exposures. Focal reducers are essential optical accessories for astrophotography, electronically-assisted astronomy (EAA), and in some cases, for visual observation with long focal ratio telescopes. The reducer fits all Meade and Celestron . How does it look thats what matters. 2023 Celestron, LLC. Read our 101 article or get in touch. My experience is that CN sellers are way above those listing elsewhere. Your price: $579.00. Unleash the full pointing accuracy of your Celestron computerized telescope with a specialized telescope control software suite. So, this past week I challenged the Antares and Celestron models to a head-to-hear on my C8 on some decent nights of good seeing and transparency in my Bortle 5-6 urban skies. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. I would not use the reducer with a 2" diagonal or eyepiece in the C6. Observing the microscopic world has never been easier! Thks for that and its not for visual it for astrophotography. It might work but it does not tell us anything about how well or to what extent the product works to correct the field of an SCT. CEL-94245. Does anyone know if the Antares 4000 focal reducer is as good as the Celestron focal reducer. Start here to find the perfect telescope for you! To test this, I used three set-ups: 1. EclipSmart solar products feature Solar Safe filter technology providing the ultimate protection from harmful solar radiation, including both IR and UV light, and filters 99.999% of visible light. Copyright 2003-2022 Agena AstroProducts. They only publish the value of D, the working distance (sometimes called the back focus distance) and the design reduction factor MRD. 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Using this same example of an 8" SCT and a 0.63x reducer, a visual observer can also enjoy brighter images and a wider field of view. Reducer Lens .7x - EdgeHD 1400 In most cases, the easiest option is to choose the focal reducer made specifically for your telescope. because they really dont matter. Unlike .
Celestron or Antares f/6.3 focal reducer for SCT? Most focal reducers are designed to operate optimally at the working distance in the optical path to achieve their specified reduction factor, which is usually between 0.5x and 0.8x. And when used in some refractors, the field flattening is not as accurate as it is in the f/10 SCTs. It features a standard male SCT thread (2" OD, 24 TPI) on one side and a standard SCT female thread on the other. But while the image gets brighter, the size of the image circle gets proportionately smaller. The Buyer's Guide To Eyepieces at the top of the Eyepieces forum has a column for this spec. The same illumination you have at the edge of a 27mm field, the C8 has at the edge of a 38mm field.
Focal Reducer for SCT - ACF - Stargazers Lounge Download the Celestron PWI Telescope Control Software. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use. In this case, d2 = FR/2, which means the back of the focal reducer is located at a distance FR/2 from the camera or eyepiece. and you will be fine. I've never found my 0.63 reducer causing CA when used with my SCT. All additional accessories mount onto the exterior/male threads. Depending on the design of the telescope, they may require separate focal reducers if they require focal reducers at all. Some manufacturers will specify the working distance from the middle of the rear lens surface, and this number must then be converted into a practical working distance number by subtracting the amount by which the rear lens surface is recessed in its housing. The resultant reduction factor was measured to be 0.46x. I doubt there is any difference between the Antares and the Celestron except price. The problem with those SCT reducers is that they cause chromatic aberration and require refocusing when using parfocal RGB/other filters. In the 1960s, Celestrons founder, Tom Johnson, created groundbreaking new telescopes never before seen on the consumer market. To further factor out my natural astigmatism (I normally wear glasses while observing), I did the tests with my regular progressive lenses, single vision glasses I use when observing, and naked eye.
Focal Reducers | Celestron A few people have reported issues with the male SCT thread diameter on this item being a bit larger than necessary. Still not sure what is the right gear for you? Add a 0.63x reducer, and the brightness of extended objects increases by (1/0.63)2 = 2.5. Planetarium software package which provides easy-to-understand explanations and impressive visuals of all kinds. Copyright 2021 Stargazers Lounge It seems right to put some distance between the camera and the focal reducer, right? Better images are also obtained when using these focal reducers at a reduction factor of 0.5x 0.8x, approximately. Looking forward to the day when I can do a shoot-out between a Japan and China Celestron, just for kicks. With the barrel 1.25 reducer won't focus, all I get is fuzzy snowballs. When the camera sensor is placed at this distance, the reduction factor of these reducers is 0.75x. Anyway, when purchased my R/C the "original" Celestron unit was not readily available and was offered instead the one sold under the shop's own label (in my case Tecnosky, but I saw the same product offered under TS label). This part is no longer in production, but it is sometimes available used and may be used with cameras with smaller sensors. F6.3 Focal reducer for F/10 or higher telescopes, 43mm aperture, 4-Element, Fully Multicoated. Focal Reducer, 2", 0.7X. Unique focal reducer and field corrector lens accessory, Reduces the focal length and f/ ratio of your Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope by 37%, Provides a dual focal ratio instrument, without sacrificing image quality, Compatible with all Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes (see compatible list in description). For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Using an eyepiece with a 27mm field stop with the reducer will illuminate the edge the same as using an eyepieces with a 42.9mm field stop without it. However I've also read that the back focal distance on the Celestron is 105mm while the Antares is 81mm so they couldn't be identical. Sign up to get exclusive deals, observing tips, and new product announcements. Figure 7 shows an example of an image of the Dumbbell Nebula taken with a 1.25" GSO focal reducer at a reduction factor of 0.63x with an 85mm f/7 refractor and a QHY5III-290M camera with a sensor with a 6.4mm diagonal. Using these numbers in equation 4 in the Appendix, below, we can easily calculate that the focal length of this unit is approximately103mm (it will be 103mm plus the small amount by which the rear lens surface of the reducer is recessed beneath the reducer housing). There is a way to make subjective data more useful and that way is proper blind, or better still. Since 2008, Brian has taught astronomy to tens of thousands of stargazers through his websites OneMinuteAstronomer.com and CosmicPursuits.com. OPT Product Number: AE-SCTFR specifications Warranty 2 Year Warranty Works as advertised! Learn more about extra solar planets imagery, 3D Star rendering, observation planning, telescope control, multiple-panel printing, and much more. You may need spacers or a T-adapter to ensure the correcting working distance. Given the results of Test #1, I wanted to see if there was any truth to this assumption. Orders placed after 12:00 PM Pacific Time will be shipped the next business day. Specially-designed focal reducers are available for use with these telescopes. Rather than a direct side-by-side, I swapped the reducers so that I was using them on the exact same, well-collimated instrument. The EdgeHD .7x Focal Reducer Lens makes your EdgeHD 1100 one full F-Stop faster than f/10, reducing your exposure time by half to capture the same brightness of object . All Rights Reserved. Is that distance D= Fo-d1=Fo-(d2/MR)? In such cases, we will be happy to take the item back as per our standard return terms. Given past experience with them, I decided not to include the Meade version in my little experiment, as I have never met one I liked from getting one of the too-short focal length models, to one with some overflow cement in the doublet, to focus difficulties with some eyepieces. Increase that distance, and greater reduction results and visa versa. The nominal design reduction factor of these reducers is typically 0.5x. I'm going with the Celestron. Reducer Lens .7x - EdgeHD 1400 Learn More. This article explains the basics of how focal reducers work with an astronomy telescope. But in the Japan version I have never noticed any anomaly like the ghosting in the China R/C. Easy solution found a very tiny dab of super lube on the threads and all was well and quiet. The lens is housed in machined aluminum for are machined aluminum black anodized. You attach the focal reducer to the rear port on a SCT and can keep it covered. That is definitely a 2" eyepiece, but it is not a large or long focal length 2" eyepiece. Images in the Celestron tended to appear ever-so-slightly dimmer (maybe? riklaunim Members 559 3,445 Location: Poland Posted October 11, 2010 They are reported as identical.
Antares f/6.3 Focal Reducer for SCTs - Awesome Astro I think I remember hearing the reduction factor is slightly different, cant remember more or less reduction. On the trail, at the job site, in the classroom, or simply sitting at home relaxing the Celestron Elements ThermoTank 3 will keep your hands toasty. Figure 6 shows a 1.25" focal reducer from GSO configured with a ZWO ASI224MC camera.