I have a similar setup, 2” focuser on an 80mm f/5 achromat. Widest field of view possible when you use something like a 30mm explore 82* eyepiece. But, it makes it too heavy for the light convenient mounts it used to use, so I find myself using a 102mm f/5 or 120mm f/5 instead for wide views, since they also need the heavier mount. In short, I was going to put it back to stock but instead got another optical tube that’s still stock.
I have recently bought the 96 mm version focuser that fits refractors of 100mm and above apiture looking, forward to trying it with my 120mm helios, I also have the st 80 for finder scope, not sure if I will upgrade that focuser at the moment tho, I like that eye piece tho it looks awesome 👌clear skies 😊
Im new to the hobby and Im wondering what the point is? Im not trying to bash I just dont understand why put a nice focuser on a small achromat. I have a $100 80mm f/5 achro and im wondering what this upgrade could do for me or if its worth at all
Such a large part of the image quality in visual astronomy comes from the eyepiece and the accuracy of the focus. I would say this is one of the best upgrades I have done for any of my telescopes. The field of view of a 80mm f/5 with 25mm 82° eyepiece is just fantastic. The eyepiece does cost more than the scope and the focuser together, but it is so worth it.
@@michaelhultstrom Thanks for the response it was very informative! I will definitely be keeping in mind a focuser upgrade for the future. I like the portability of my scope a lot and getting the most out of it will make it so much more worthwhile
Could i please ask you where you got the alt az mount head from? I have a AZ4 HEAVY-DUTY ALT-AZIMUTH MOUNT & TRIPOD (WITH 1.75” STAINLESS STEEL TRIPOD LEGS) but with a worn mount head. Yours looks like it would take the weight.
Calling it field curvature is nice of you, it is more like field wibbly wobbly. But it is no problem with the low magnification eyepieces. However, with high magnification you (ES14 or ES6.7) need to adjust the focus a little bit as a planet crosses the field.
@@michaelhultstrom Thanks for the quick ansver! I wanted to buy one for some astrophotography because it have similar focal length to ED - APO refractors and it have less weight + cheaper, but if the optics are not too sharp or have high chromatic aberration, i should spend more on the optics :/
@@Predator18999 Yes, the optics are unlikely to give you nice astrophotography. It is quite sharp in focus, but has serious CA, and there is a strong curvature to the plane of focus across the image.
Actually, I've made decent photos with this super cheap scope. I was surprised. I now have a apochromatic one instead, but the nebulas came out OK, detailed, nice colors (incredible for a 100 bucks scope) The only problem was a some blueish halo on some stars ... which I took out of the frame or fixed in post. Not good enough to do an expo, but great to show big nebulas to your family CA is inevitable but can be reduced a bit a bit (using good quality eyepieces, choosing the right framing and the right target) For someone who's broke but already have a bit of gear (decent mount, good eyepieces, reflex camera, computer ...) this can be a way to get started with photography. Of course when funds allow, replacing it with an apochromatic is the way to go.
I have a similar setup, 2” focuser on an 80mm f/5 achromat. Widest field of view possible when you use something like a 30mm explore 82* eyepiece.
But, it makes it too heavy for the light convenient mounts it used to use, so I find myself using a 102mm f/5 or 120mm f/5 instead for wide views, since they also need the heavier mount.
In short, I was going to put it back to stock but instead got another optical tube that’s still stock.
I have recently bought the 96 mm version focuser that fits refractors of 100mm and above apiture looking, forward to trying it with my 120mm helios, I also have the st 80 for finder scope, not sure if I will upgrade that focuser at the moment tho, I like that eye piece tho it looks awesome 👌clear skies 😊
Dang, even I can do that. Thanks.
Im new to the hobby and Im wondering what the point is? Im not trying to bash I just dont understand why put a nice focuser on a small achromat. I have a $100 80mm f/5 achro and im wondering what this upgrade could do for me or if its worth at all
Such a large part of the image quality in visual astronomy comes from the eyepiece and the accuracy of the focus. I would say this is one of the best upgrades I have done for any of my telescopes. The field of view of a 80mm f/5 with 25mm 82° eyepiece is just fantastic. The eyepiece does cost more than the scope and the focuser together, but it is so worth it.
@@michaelhultstrom Thanks for the response it was very informative! I will definitely be keeping in mind a focuser upgrade for the future. I like the portability of my scope a lot and getting the most out of it will make it so much more worthwhile
Where does the finder scope connect?
This is what I use for a finder scope on my 100mm refractor. But if you want to do it the other way around there are attachment points on the rings.
Could i please ask you where you got the alt az mount head from? I have a AZ4 HEAVY-DUTY ALT-AZIMUTH MOUNT & TRIPOD (WITH 1.75” STAINLESS STEEL TRIPOD LEGS) but with a worn mount head. Yours looks like it would take the weight.
www.teleskop-express.de
@@michaelhultstrom Thanks for the link
Nice Upgrade. But how sharp will be the ES30 or ES24 eyepiece on this refractor? I mean this short refractor has some field curvature.
Calling it field curvature is nice of you, it is more like field wibbly wobbly. But it is no problem with the low magnification eyepieces. However, with high magnification you (ES14 or ES6.7) need to adjust the focus a little bit as a planet crosses the field.
How much would them upgrades cost around ?
@@paulroberts3686 eyepiece 150, TS-Optics MONORAIL 2" Refractor Focuser 180, TS Optics 2" Star Diagonal 140 so nearly €500
I went with putting a DSLR on mine but I'll be looking into this. Thanks for the reply
@@paulroberts3686 Isn't it less expensive to get an Evostar ~60mm which comes with a good focuser and it is apo ?
L image est avoir envers?
Yes, but there are 2in righting prisms (very expensive, 2in righting prisms).
@@michaelhultstrom yes !! And you got one!!
@@linou1968 Nope
Dude, this expensive focuser is worth the money on this cheap scope? Can it be used for astrophotography?
No, neither the scope nor the focuser is really astrophotography material. But a good focuser makes it a much better scope for visual astronomy.
@@michaelhultstrom Thanks for the quick ansver! I wanted to buy one for some astrophotography because it have similar focal length to ED - APO refractors and it have less weight + cheaper, but if the optics are not too sharp or have high chromatic aberration, i should spend more on the optics :/
@@Predator18999 Yes, the optics are unlikely to give you nice astrophotography. It is quite sharp in focus, but has serious CA, and there is a strong curvature to the plane of focus across the image.
Actually, I've made decent photos with this super cheap scope.
I was surprised.
I now have a apochromatic one instead, but the nebulas came out OK, detailed, nice colors (incredible for a 100 bucks scope)
The only problem was a some blueish halo on some stars ... which I took out of the frame or fixed in post.
Not good enough to do an expo, but great to show big nebulas to your family
CA is inevitable but can be reduced a bit a bit (using good quality eyepieces, choosing the right framing and the right target)
For someone who's broke but already have a bit of gear (decent mount, good eyepieces, reflex camera, computer ...) this can be a way to get started with photography.
Of course when funds allow, replacing it with an apochromatic is the way to go.