Thanks Peter! Orders placed over the weekend will be shipped on the following Monday. 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. In such cases, we will be happy to take the item back as per our standard return terms. I've looked through one from Meade and first impression was that it was like the Celestron version. We will be glad to help. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. This filter threads on to the rear cell of your Celestron or Meade SCT telescope. Performance wise what differences might there be using the reducer on a smaller scope. A former wireless communications consulting engineer and management consultant to various Fortune 500 companies, Manish started Agena AstroProducts in 2003. An eyepiece with a 27mm field stop yields a true field of 1.03 in the C6 at f/10. In terms of reduction and correction which are what reducer/correctors are supposed to do both are superb. Because most modern Newtonians already have relatively fast focal ratios, these telescopes do not usually use focal reducers. I had a Celestron, Antares and Hirsch for awhile and compared them over about a year. For this shoot-out, I used a standard Celestron C8 with Starbright coatings. If you do so, you will achieve the design reduction factor. Very helpful, thanks a lot for this article! I am new to these optic topics, and I want to ask you what happens with Masutov like SW or Celestron 4 or 7 inches. Also read the reviews here, including those at 4 stars. Upon close inspection, it was clear that the housing of Antares assembled in Canada version was a little more substantial than the Celestron. Hi. SKU: CEL-94245. I am a purely visual observer, so will evaluate for visual use only. 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"). Specially-designed focal reducers are available for use with these telescopes. Right off the bat, I was struck by how similar the two R/Cs were. 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. I would pay slightly more for the Japan produced version, just because Hirsch was not bad either but sold it since I had 2 already. This factor is designated by a power that is less than 1, and it usually lies between 0.5x or 0.8x. InternetSales@optcorp.com. We only send interesting emails and will never sell your data. InternetSales@optcorp.com, 800-483-6287 Figure 1 shows the relationship between the focal reduction factor MR and the position of the reducer in the optical path. Since then, Agena has become one of the leading online retailers of telescopes and astronomical accessories worldwide. More aggressive reduction, or using these reducers with larger sensors, will result in aberrations and distortions near the edge of the image. Enter it during checkout! With the Celestron Reducer/Corrector Lens, thats precisely what you get. Most amateur astronomers are familiar with a Barlow lens (or a focal extender), a negative or diverging lens that effectively increases the focal length and the focal ratio of a telescope's objective lens. Copyright 2003-2022 Agena AstroProducts. ED glass is specially formulated and contains rare-earth compounds that greatly reduce a visual defect called chromatic aberration. Our patented SkyAlign alignment technology makes setting up a computerized telescope simple, fast, and accurate. Antares Click Lock Visual Back - posted in Cats & Casses: Here is the situation:I bought a Celestron CPC 1100 for visual use.Want to put on the scope simulteanously a6.3 focal reducer, filter wheel, and aneyepiece turret. Focal reducers are essential optical accessories for astrophotography, electronically-assisted astronomy (EAA), and in some cases, for visual observation with long focal ratio telescopes. If I had to guess, the difference is maybe 10-15 grams. We have tested our current batch and it works with Meade, Celestron, and Baader SCT accessories. Getting the proper back-focus for your imaging camera is a vital step in getting the best data possible out of your telescope imaging/research rig. It's usually specified from the base of the mounting threads on the reducer's housing, and this is the most practical way of providing this specification. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. If you are using a camera that has a back focus of less than 55mm, additional spacer rings will be required between the reducer and the camera. Article Agena AstroProducts, 2019. A longer effective focal length leads to higher magnification with a given eyepiece for visual observers. These reducers can also be used for visual observing with SCT scopes with eyepieces with a field stop as large as 24-27mm. It is not a corrector or flattener. The equations and argument in the Appendix of this article shows the relationship between the working distance and the reduction factor. A reducer is a set of converging (or positive) lenses that cause the light from a telescope objective to converge at a steeper angle to the focal plane as if it were coming from an objective with a faster (lower) focal ratio and a shorter focal length. ), ASI Air Plus - Connected items are 'greyed out', Cost of ordering used equipment U.S. - Can can more than double figure, Tuthill Isostatic Mount and Star Trap Power Module. There will be no shipments on 3/1/2023, 3/2/2023, or 3/3/2023 (March 1st - March 3rd, 2023). 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. 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 . For imagers, the main purpose of a focal reducer is to increase the brightness of the image at the focal plane. I have the Antares and am not unhappy with it, but for AP I would want more back focal distance if those numbers are accurate. The Reducer/Corrector can also be used for terrestrial digiscoping.
Clean, fun jokes the tradition continues - Page 106 I was originally hoping to do this with a made in Japan Celestron, but ended up with a newer China version but thats probably better in the end since it is the version now available, with the Japan ones rarer and only available used. All rights reserved. No rainchecks will be issued for items out of stock at OPTcorp.com to match a competitor's price. If the reducer is placed closer to the eyepiece or camera than the distance D, the reduction factor decreases. All rights reserved. Community Forum Software by IP.BoardLicensed to: Cloudy Nights, E of San Francisco Bay and W of the Awahnee, This is not recommended for shared computers, reviews here that suggest a coating problem, Back to Celestron Computerized Telescopes, Looking for advice on first refractor and camera. Hmmm . When the camera sensor is placed at this distance, the reduction factor of these reducers is 0.75x. 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. Start Chat 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. Most manufacturers provide this specification. If yes, what kind of focal reducers can I use? On the camera side, the focal reducer has male M42x0.75 or M48x0.75 threads that attach directly to the T-ring (with an M42-M48 adapter if necessary). A f/10 focal ratio now achieves a f/6.3, while an f/11 focal ratio now achieves a f/7. This innovative software solves the time-consuming problem of trying to pinpoint the North Celestial Pole. 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. Celestron or Antares?
Celestron & Antares f/6.3 Reducer/Corrector Shoot-out What an enjoyable read and detailed comparison. I think there may be some confusion here, because Antares makes a variety of reducers for eyepieces and scopes in addition to this SCT R/C but this definitely is a reducer/corrector. Just one question. Now, Celestron is using that same technology to allow star gazers to connect to the night sky and enhance their experience of the cosmos in fun and unique ways. 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. 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. It features a standard male SCT thread (2" OD, 24 TPI) on one side and a standard SCT female thread on the other. Celestron Reducer Lens .7x - EdgeHD 925 The EdgeHD .7x Focal Reducer Lens makes your EdgeHD 925 one full F-Stop faster than f/10, reducing your exposure time by half to capture the same brightness of object 5-element lens design Maintains similar.
Reducer - Corrector Learn More. I have had the Japan unit on the back of my C5 since 1994 or thereabouts. Fumbling around in the dark, fine threads might be a problem. The most significant mechanical variation, however, is the quality and precision of the threading. The Antares focal reducer comes in small box. You don't need to follow these equations to use a focal reducer, but they do show how the reduction factor changes with the placement of the reducer. USD $80.00. From the SkyProdigy, a telescope so smart it can align itself, to our high-performance EdgeHD optical system, weve revolutionized the hobby of astronomy for beginners and advanced amateurs alike. The threads were similar on the eyepiece end, but a bit smoother. That includes, for example, a 1.25" eyepiece with an apparent field of view of 68 and a focal length of 24mm (eg. 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. 2023 Celestron, LLC. 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? Does anyone know if the Antares 4000 focal reducer is as good as the Celestron focal reducer. As mentioned in Section 2 of this guide, the reduction factor of a focal reducer depends on its position in the optical path relative to the eyepiece or camera. Looking forward to the day when I can do a shoot-out between a Japan and China Celestron, just for kicks. Given the results of Test #1, I wanted to see if there was any truth to this assumption. You can probably eke out 1.2 without noticing serious vignetting, which is a field stop of 31.5mm. Celestrons FREE planetarium app is an astronomy suite that redefines how you experience the night sky. Does anyone have any experience with the Celestron and Antares focal reducers? Opticstar F6.3 Focal Reducer / Corrector. 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. No negative issues to report. This means that there must be sufficient travel on the telescope focuser to make up for this. 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. I happily cycle through LRGB filters to build the image rather than do a whole run of one filter at a time. Add a 0.63x reducer, and the brightness of extended objects increases by (1/0.63)2 = 2.5. There is a way to make subjective data more useful and that way is proper blind, or better still. They are commonly available in 1.25" and 2" threaded cells that conveniently thread into the nosepiece of a compatible camera or the barrel of an eyepiece. 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). Thanks for the extremely valuable article. Never used one, but read the reviews here that suggest a coating problem. You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. Please Log in to save it permanently. Dedicated focal reducers for refractors are intended primarily for imaging, not visual observation. Description. 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. The problem with those SCT reducers is that they cause chromatic aberration and require refocusing when using parfocal RGB/other filters. The female end attaches to the rear cell of the telescope. The visual back must be removed first. Download the Celestron PWI Telescope Control Software. 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. For example, a 0.8x reducer placed at the working distance provides a reduction of (1 0.8) x 100 = 20%. You may need spacers or a T-adapter to ensure the correcting working distance. At least these two units I tested make the answer - whatever. I wont bother with differences in packaging, caps, etc. 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. Even though they may have been slightly dimmer, galaxies were a bit easier to tease out of the urban light soup I deal with.
Antares f/6.3 Focal Reducer for Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescopes - Agena Astro