antares vs celestron focal reducer

Great for home, classroom, or home-school use, this kit includes all the essential items youll need to begin exploring the wonders of the microscopic world. M44 was a perfect target for this, as its large size maxes out the FOV on a C8 with a corrector, and its bright stars make great targets for measuring the very edge of the visible field. This was most noticeable on the eyepiece end of the RC, where the metal rim surrounding the lens was about 1mm thicker than on the Celestron. The reducer features fully coated optics in an anodized aluminum filter ring with an ergonomic rubber grip. Equation (4) shows the relationship between the distance d2 and the reduction factor MR. So Celestron buyers like Celestron, Meade buyers like the Meade and Antares buyer like the Antares. Also, the focusers of most Newtonians do not have enough in-travel to accommodate a focal reducer. And when used in some refractors, the field flattening is not as accurate as it is in the f/10 SCTs. As another example,GSO makes focal reducers for their line of Ritchey-Chretien imaging telescopes. Learn more about extra solar planets imagery, 3D Star rendering, observation planning, telescope control, multiple-panel printing, and much more. It seems right to put some distance between the camera and the focal reducer, right? If I had to chose one, I would base my decision on your level of light pollution perhaps the Antares for its slightly higher transmission if you live under less light polluted skies, but the Celestron for its greater contrast if you are dealing with a suburban or urban light dome. This standard distance is a consequence of the design of DSLR cameras for which the distance of the sensor to the outer edge of the flanges is about 45 mm, while the T-ring that attaches to the flange for astrophotography is about 10mm thick. The visual back must be removed first. Like you, I am primarily visually observing but I have everything together now that so I am going to start experimenting with photography so we'll see how it does there. Even though they may have been slightly dimmer, galaxies were a bit easier to tease out of the urban light soup I deal with. When placed in the focal plane in front of a camera or eyepiece, a focal reducer leads to a wider field of view and a brighter image of extended objects, which is important for reducing the exposure times when imaging faint extended objects like nebulae or galaxies. Just one question. Brian Ventrudo is a writer, scientist, and astronomy educator. Optically, it consists of a four-element lens that is fully multi-coated for high contrast and resolution. Again, swapping back and forth for a couple of hours on M44, M35, and several brighter stars, I examined the shape of specific stars near the edge of the field with both correctors. Over the course of a several nights of general observing, I swapped back and forth between the Antares and Celestron R/Cs on a wide variety of objects open clusters, brighter galaxies, a couple of nebulae, and globular clusters as well. Again, to my surprise, there was absolutely no difference between the Celestron and Antares on any star. Add a 0.63x reducer, and the brightness of extended objects increases by (1/0.63)2 = 2.5. Well done. Years ago, I bought the Antares version, and moved over to the Celestron. Watch this before you buy Celestron 8SE SCT, or a Focal Reducer or a Hyperstar 7,758 views Mar 28, 2018 145 Dislike Share Ray's Astrophotography 42.3K subscribers Note: I am not paid or. With the barrel 1.25 reducer won't focus, all I get is fuzzy snowballs. For imaging, a T-adapter is threaded to the camera side of the focal reducer, which in turns connects to the camera with the appropriate hardware. All additional accessories mount onto the exterior/male threads. Figure 1 shows the relationship between the focal reduction factor MR and the position of the reducer in the optical path. Start here to find the perfect telescope for you! Antares f/6.3 Focal Reducer for SCTs - Awesome Astro The Antares f/6.3 Focal Reducer for Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescopes is a low-price option for reducing the focal length of your Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope from f/10 to f/6.3. This innovative software solves the time-consuming problem of trying to pinpoint the North Celestial Pole. Read our 101 article or get in touch. For this shoot-out, I used a standard Celestron C8 with Starbright coatings. Regardless, the difference was miniscule and is more than adequate on both and exceeds a 8 or 6 SCTs baffle tube diameter. 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. Many reducers, such as the Celestron HD focal reducer mentioned above, and many focal reducers for apochromatic refractors, are meant to be used within a few millimeters (or less) of the specified working distance to achieve the best possible image results. This article explained the basics of how focal reducers work with various kinds of telescopes and how their working distance affects their reduction factor, and it provided sufficient detail to help amateur astronomer choose and use the right focal reducer for a particular application. This telescope control software replaces the hand control and allows the user to remotely control their Celestron computerized telescope from their personal PC or laptop. 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. I was going to measure the difference in grams, but my lovely wife caught me trying to use her precious, high-tech kitchen scale for the cause, and put the kibosh on it. Refractors, or SCTs with external focusers, may not have sufficient in-travel to reach focus in some configurations. Not a bit. Figure 2 shows the effective of a focal reducer on the light from a telescope objective. WiFi technology encircles the globe in a web of connectivity, knowledge, and information. Place the plastic covers on the lens when not in use to reduce the dust collection. The most commonly available focal reducers for SCTs are the f/6.3 reducers from Celestron and a similar f/6.3 focal reducer from Meade. Overall, this reducer does a phenomenal job at preventing gradients due to internal reflections from the camera sensor back to the glass in the reducer, as I suffered with the Antares reducer. The reducer fits all Meade and Celestron . At least these two units I tested make the answer - whatever. No idea what the issue is. 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 both imaging and visual observing, these reducers also improve image sharpness at the edge of the field by correcting for coma and field curvature. Celestrons award-winning Nature DX binocular gets a major upgrade with the addition of ED objective lenses. Reducer Lens .7x - EdgeHD 925 More aggressive reduction, or using these reducers with larger sensors, will result in aberrations and distortions near the edge of the image. These reducers can also be used for visual observing with SCT scopes with eyepieces with a field stop as large as 24-27mm. Each focal reducer has a fixed specification called the working distance or required back focus. They provide 0.75x focal reducers for these telescopes that takes an f/8 instrument down to f/6. Explore Scientific Keys to the Universe Sale, Antares f/6.3 Focal Reducer for Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescopes, Skip to the beginning of the images gallery. 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. So it provides a 0.63x design reduction factor when used with an f/10 SCT at the specified working distance. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use. I have Hirsch focal reducer, which is yet another clone of the Celestron reducer. An f/6.3 reducer is designed to reduce the focal ratio of an f/10 SCT to f/6.3. I am a purely visual observer, so will evaluate for visual use only. Hence, there is a chance that you may not be able to thread your SCT diagonal or other SCT accessory on to this reducer for these or for any other brand. Normal shipments will resume on Monday, March 6, 2023. nleash the full pointing accuracy of your Celestron computerized telescope with a specialized telescope control software suite. We will match any online price that we confirm as valid. Optically, it consists of a four-element lens that is fully multi-coated for high contrast and resolution. 800-483-6287 The design reduction factor of a focal reducer is the relative amount by which the effective focal length of the telescope is reduced when the focal reducer is used at its specified working distance or back focus. These RC reducers cannot be used with other types of telescopes. When you said, "in some cases" a focal reducer also works as a flattener/corrector, are you saying that not all focal reducers are flatteners/corrector? Imaging - Focal Reducers and Flatteners - Page 1 - KW Telescope This "speeds up" the optical train by reducing the focal length and magnification of the scope, requiring less time to integrate the same signal. For this test, I used a single configuration R/C, Click-lock, and 1.25 diagonal with the adapter. Style: None of this was offensive, nor did it interfere with views in any significant way. Your eyepieces are the first accessories you should learn to use with your telescope. There are many different types of focal reducers and they all effect. - thanks. Have always disliked the crude, noisy SCT threads, but I get it. Torazz 0.5X focal reducer for Celestron, Meade, and Orion CCD imaging cameras Such an image circle is still large enough to encompass the relatively large sensor of many deep-sky astronomy cameras. Start Chat October 11, 2010 in Discussions - Scopes / Whole setups. 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. But I am rusty, can you condense a bit for me please? I have both the Antares and the Celestron reducers. A wider field of view and a lower magnification is also useful, with some focal reducers and with some eyepieces, for visual observers with telescopes with long focal ratios. The focus barely shifts between filters and I suspect any shifts I do get are down to the filters and changes in temp. First, I wanted to compare the actual reduction provided by these competitors, as many threads here cite different ideal spacing from the reducer to eyepiece focal plane to achieve the correct f/6.3 result. When using the diagonal, keep the field stops of the eyepieces under 20mm. Our patented SkyAlign alignment technology makes setting up a computerized telescope simple, fast, and accurate. 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. Most manufacturers provide this specification. Reducer - Corrector | Celestron These reducers have a back focus (or design working distance) of 80mm. 2. Practical Considerations of Focal Reducers, 4.2 Back Focus Requirements of Focal Reducers, GSO makes focal reducers for their line of Ritchey-Chretien, Celestron makes a series of focal reducers for the Edge HD line, 0.75x focal reducers for these telescopes, focal reducer for an 8-inch Celestron EdgeHD, A Primer on T-Rings and T-Adapters for Astronomy and Astrophotography, Choosing the Best Telescope for Beginners 2023, Top Night Sky & Astronomy Events in August 2022, Top Night Sky & Astronomy Events in July 2022, Selecting a Baader Planetarium Star Diagonal, A Guide to Choosing Astronomy Eyepieces for Binoviewers, Choosing a Magnifying Finder Scope for Your Telescope, A focal reducer will provide its design reduction factor only when it is placed at the exact working distance from the focal plane of the eyepiece or camera, Reducing the operating distance, that is, moving a focal reducer closer to the eyepiece or camera increases its reduction factor, or conversely reduces the amount of focal reduction. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. As one increases, the other decreases. This article explains the basics of how focal reducers work with an astronomy telescope. Because I have not heard any complaints about the made in China R/C. I use the same back spacing for both on a small 6" Celestron SCT. Again, these focal reducers are often provided by the telescope manufacturer. Focal Reducer, 2", 0.7X. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. Wow, that is a very detailed discussion! Stock focusers in an SCT move the mirror of the scope to change the position of the focal plane, and they have sufficient travel to accommodate a focal reducer. 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. The price for an item/offer must be listed and valid at the time of match. The lens that the ZWO comes with give a perfect wide angle image of what is in front of it. Can you help me? Reducer Lens .7x - EdgeHD 1400 Some are available in 1.25" barrel format but with C threads. These scopes are compatibles with focal reducers. The same illumination you have at the edge of a 27mm field, the C8 has at the edge of a 38mm field. Thanks for pointing this out. The review is a subjective visual impression, which is interesting but not best evidence. Article Agena AstroProducts, 2019. When placed in the focal plane in front of a camera or eyepiece, a focal reducer leads to a wider field of view and a brighter image of extended objects, which is important for reducing the exposure times when imaging faint extended objects like nebulae or galaxies. looks virtually identical, except for the lettering. If you place your camera at a different working distance, you will get a different reduction factor and perhaps unwanted distortion in the image. But when not in the box or on the telescope, there is no cover for the other end. 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. In such cases, we will be happy to take the item back as per our standard return terms. 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. In terms of reduction and correction which are what reducer/correctors are supposed to do both are superb. Watch this before you buy Celestron 8SE SCT, or a Focal Reducer or a ED glass is specially formulated and contains rare-earth compounds that greatly reduce a visual defect called chromatic aberration. Your price: $579.00. Orders placed over the weekend will be shipped on the following Monday. ED stands for "extra-low dispersion," which refers to the composition and optical properties of the glass used for the lenses. Never noticed any anomalies with this unit. During checkout, you may also be shown other optional faster shipping choices.US Customers in Hawaii and Alaska: Free shipping applies to almost all products. The working distance (backfocus) of the Celestron f/6.3 reducer is specified to be 105mm from the base of the male SCT thread on the camera side. Please Log in to save it permanently. There are also third-party vendors such as Hotech. Very helpful, thanks a lot for this article! Celestron Nexstar+ 127 SLT, several budget plossl eyepieces, Celestron 8-24mm zoom EP and a 12.5mm illuminated double reticle EP, Svbony SV205 camera w/.5 focal reducer, Celestron SkyMaster 20x80 binos on a 40 yr old QuickSet PanHead tripod, Stellarium, Sharpcap and ManyCam on my laptop, SkyView and Nightshift on my phone and a dandy little $9 . InternetSales@optcorp.com. Generally, views through the Antares seemed a little more transparent and brighter. OPT Product Number: AE-SCTFR specifications Warranty 2 Year Warranty Works as advertised! In practice, it's important to remember that you will rarely operate at the exact working distance and at the exact reduction factor that is specified. Keep in mind that these differences were very subtle, and could be due to normal variations in coatings among different runs, and not necessarily unique to the brands. and you will be fine. 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. Most Feather Touch focusers cost between $300-$350. Your mileage may vary. A couple of tiny dust particles between lens elements, uneven lens edge blackening, very minor coating blemishes, or even a very small fine lens scratch or two are very common in this Antares product and must be accepted as normal for this item. Sign up to receive sale alerts, news about upcoming celestial events, and telescope tips from our experts! With both, using the same diagonal set-up, the exact same stars were visible at the very edge of the FOV. Once installed, you can add additional accessories like T-Adapters, 1.25 Visual Back, Star Diagonal, or Off-Axis Guider. The lens is housed in machined aluminum for are machined aluminum black anodized. The focal length of a focal reducer is usually measured from the rear lens surface of the reducer (and not the reducer's housing). Now It only focuses near things, like some kind of macro zoom. Sky recognition technology that has revolutionized the manual telescope by eliminating the confusion common among beginners and enhancing the user experience for even seasoned telescope users. a Tele Vue Panoptic), or a Plossl eyepiece with an apparent field of view of 50 and a focal length of 32mm. Hello! If you do so, you will achieve the design reduction factor. The distance d2, which measures the position of the new focal plane of the objective from the back of the focal reducer is given by Equation 5: In these equations, d1, d2, and MR are all variables that depend on each other through Equations 2 and 4. Unlike SCT telescopes, Ritchey-Chretien telescopes and Celestron Edge HD or Meade ACF scopes have internal optics that provide an inherently flat field, so these telescopes require a special focal reducer than does not provide additional correction for field curvature. 3. Here, there was a subtle difference . Today, our world-class team of optical and electronic engineers continues to push the boundaries of technology. That's partly because focal reducers correct for field curvature, which itself depends on the focal ratio and other optical design factors of the telescope. A slight nod to the Antares for heft and higher transmission, but points to the Celestron for nice threads and better contrast. 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. I think I remember hearing the reduction factor is slightly different, cant remember more or less reduction. Reducer - Corrector Learn More. But is there a difference in quality between the Antares and the Celestron or Meade focal reducers? These 0.63x focal reducers were originally designed to optimize for an image circle to match 36mm x 24mm film or its digital equivalent for astrophotography. Maybe I got a lemon. This means that there must be sufficient travel on the telescope focuser to make up for this. This is a. Blue Fireball M42 T/T2 Thread Camera Adapter for Prime Focus Photography - 2" # P-06, Celestron T-Ring for Canon EOS Camera # 93419, GSO 2" Crayford Focuser for SCTs - Dual Speed, Length of male SCT thread = 5mm (0.2") but this is preceded by an unthreaded part on the eyepiece side making the total length = 8.8mm (0.35"), Length of female SCT thread = 7.5mm (0.3"). Celestron Solar Safe filter technology is GUARANTEED SAFE for direct solar observation and has been independently tested by SAI Global Assurance Services. No rainchecks will be issued for items out of stock at OPTcorp.com to match a competitor's price. This filter threads on to the rear cell of your Celestron or Meade SCT telescope. Thanks for any advice or experience you could share. The working distance or required back focus, explained above, is usually specified and is far more important in practice. Obviously bright objects like Jupiter or The Moon show the reflections. For visual use, this means you get lower power with the same eyepiece and a wider field of view. Depending on the design of the telescope, they may require separate focal reducers if they require focal reducers at all. Increase that distance, and greater reduction results and visa versa. This rugged, 3-in-1 device features a true tactical 3-mode flashlight, a hand warmer, and a portable power bank for recharging your personal electronics on the go. Fastar Technology allows imagers the option of drastically increasing the speed and sensitivity of their Celestron optical tube, allowing bright, detailed images with short exposures. Focal reducers for these relatively fast ED refractors are generally for imaging only, not for visual observation. This should not be the case if they have their purportedly different focal lengths. That is definitely a 2" eyepiece, but it is not a large or long focal length 2" eyepiece. I think that the FRs made in Japan in the day may have been better. I've seen some older threads saying that the Celestron, Meade and Antares FRs are all the same and manufactured in the same factory.

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antares vs celestron focal reducer