antares vs celestron focal reducer antares vs celestron focal reducer

This is especially true when these reducers are used with cameras with smaller sensors with a dimension of about 1/4 to 1/3 the diameter of the reducer, and with telescopes with a focal ratio of f/7 or larger. Your price: $579.00. This means that there must be sufficient travel on the telescope focuser to make up for this. control and Sky Viewer display makes selecting your target easy. 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. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use. Despite never removing it no matter what I was looking at. 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. Antares' f/6.3 focal reducer provides a faster f/6.3 system for imaging or visual use when used with an f/10 SCT or other compatible telescopes. And when d1 = FR, that is, when the focal reducer is placed at a distance from the focal plane of the objective that's equal to the reducer's focal length, the focal length of the combined optical system is Fo, so it acts as a 0.5x reducer. Meade does not make an equivalent line of focal reducers for the ACF scopes, although some models of Meade ACF are already at f/8, faster than the f/10 ratio of Celestron Edge HD scopes. I wonder whether, for example, Antares focal reducer for SCT belongs to the latter category. Orders placed over the weekend will be shipped on the following Monday. This filter threads on to the rear cell of your Celestron or Meade SCT telescope. 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. 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. You attach the focal reducer to the rear port on a SCT and can keep it covered. Copyright 2003-2022 Agena AstroProducts. Equation (4) shows the relationship between the distance d2 and the reduction factor MR. Now It only focuses near things, like some kind of macro zoom. I've looked through one from Meade and first impression was that it was like the Celestron version. Scope size might influence choice as well, as a C6 might benefit from the Antares' transparency, while larger scopes might benefit from the Celestron's higher contrast. Many Ritchey-Chretien telescopes available today are made by GSO. So it provides a 0.63x design reduction factor when used with an f/10 SCT at the specified working distance. Reducer Lens .7x - EdgeHD 1400 These scopes are compatibles with focal reducers. 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). a Tele Vue Panoptic), or a Plossl eyepiece with an apparent field of view of 50 and a focal length of 32mm. 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? 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. Celestron or Antares f/6.3 focal reducer for SCT? In most cases, the easiest option is to choose the focal reducer made specifically for your telescope. The Antares focal reducer comes in small box. An eyepiece with a 27mm field stop yields a true field of 1.03 in the C6 at f/10. 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. A longer effective focal length leads to higher magnification with a given eyepiece for visual observers. Stars in the corner of the image frame are indistinguishable between the Antares and the Celestron. The resultant reduction factor was measured to be 0.46x. No retailers currently carry this product. Well done. Images in the Celestron tended to appear ever-so-slightly dimmer (maybe? This filter threads on to the rear cell of your Celestron or Meade SCT telescope. 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. 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. 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. Figure 6 shows a 1.25" focal reducer from GSO configured with a ZWO ASI224MC camera. Edited by bluewater, 05 September 2020 - 11:27 AM. The female end attaches to the rear cell of the telescope. If used before or beyond the working distance, unwanted image distortion may result. With both, using the same diagonal set-up, the exact same stars were visible at the very edge of the FOV. Since the Celestron and Antares are supposed to have different focal lengths and spacing specs, I expected different results. I have Hirsch focal reducer, which is yet another clone of the Celestron reducer. 2. Any comments gratefully received. Copyright 2003-2022 Agena AstroProducts. We will be glad to help. Sharpness is essentially the same. It was also a little brighter in the center of the field with subtle darkening in the outer 20% or so. 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. There is one difference though the Antares came with only one lens cap whereas the Celestron had a cap for both ends. The stock Celestron visualback is just under 2 long. Unleash the full pointing accuracy of your Celestron computerized telescope with a specialized telescope control software suite. Here, there was a subtle difference . ), 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. 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. I have the Antares and have no complaints. 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. Once installed, you can add additional accessories like T-Adapters, 1.25 Visual Back, Star Diagonal, or Off-Axis Guider. However, in principle, the reduction factor of a focal reducer can be varied by changing the distance from the back of the focal reducer to the camera or 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). Best evidence would by obtained by using a camera and evaluating the image both by eye and with a computer analysis. I am a purely visual observer, so will evaluate for visual use only. Download the Celestron PWI Telescope Control Software. Start Chat 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. Thks for that and its not for visual it for astrophotography. The f/6.3 reducer is operating at f/5-f/5.5 with a 2" diagonal, depending on the back focus length of the diagonal. Such an image circle is still large enough to encompass the relatively large sensor of many deep-sky astronomy cameras. No negative issues to report. To calculate how much back focus spacing you need to add, take the thickness of the filter and divide it by 3. Clearly cost is a big factor for satisfied users. Increase that distance, and greater reduction results and visa versa. My Celestron was made in China and the Antares in Canada. Celestrons patented StarSense Technology makes it easier than ever to locate objects in the night sky, even if youve never used a telescope before. 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. As mentioned in Section 2.3, the reduction factor for these focal reducers can be varied by adding spacers to move the reducer further from the camera sensor or eyepiece. With this telescope and this focal reducer, it does not help to move to a 2" eyepiece and a 2" diagonal as the visual view will be akin to looking through a porthole within the larger apparent field of view of the eyepiece. For example, with a 0.8x focal reducer, a telescope with a focal length of 800mm will operate at 800 x 0.8 = 640mm when the reducer is placed at the working distance specified by the manufacturer. However, because the field curvatures in refractors and SCTs vary a lot, I would predict unpredictable effects inre: field curvature. The most significant mechanical variation, however, is the quality and precision of the threading. 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. GSO, for example, has a 0.75x reducer for RC scopes with a back focus of 80mm, which is usually enough room for a wide range of astronomy cameras and accessories and spacers as needed. Generally, views through the Antares seemed a little more transparent and brighter. Celestron makes a series of focal reducers for the Edge HD line that are matched to the 8", 9.25", 11", and 14" apertures of these scopes. StevieDvd Members 1,182 1,812 Location: Stevenage, UK Posted March 9, 2021 (edited) Don't know but your welcome to try out my Meade 6.3 sct reducer next time you are passing. Does anyone know if the Antares 4000 focal reducer is as good as the Celestron focal reducer. Reproduction without permission prohibited. I don't know. 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. No small animals were harmed in making these observations. For me the Antares was a little brighter and had the least scatter by a bit so the better coatings won. I use the same back spacing for both on a small 6" Celestron SCT. Sign up to get exclusive deals, observing tips, and new product announcements. Benefits limited to hardware and conditions? Advanced designs for Schmidt-Cassegrain scopes such as the Meade ACF or Celestron Edge HD have optical elements in the tube to correct for coma and field flatness. Ive owned Celestron, Meade, and Antares models over the years at least a couple of each. Hi. 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. You may need spacers or a T-adapter to ensure the correcting working distance. 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. Also, the focusers of most Newtonians do not have enough in-travel to accommodate a focal reducer. 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. All additional accessories mount onto the exterior/male threads. None of this was offensive, nor did it interfere with views in any significant way. The problem with those SCT reducers is that they cause chromatic aberration and require refocusing when using parfocal RGB/other filters. A slight nod to the Antares for heft and higher transmission, but points to the Celestron for nice threads and better contrast. Since the focal length of the reducer, FR, is fixed, as d2 increases then MR decreases. A former wireless communications consulting engineer and management consultant to various Fortune 500 companies, Manish started Agena AstroProducts in 2003. Once focused it's pretty good. Because of their distinct optical design, slower Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes (SCT) with focal ratios of f/10 require a different design of focal reducer compared to refractors. Reviews. Celestron Focus Motor for SCT, EdgeHD & 8" RASA, Celestron C6 0.63 reducer/flattener back focus. Theoretically each of these combinations all varied-length light paths should have resulted in slightly different reductions between the Celestron and Antares, since they supposedly have different focal lengths. Celestron or Antares? Theres a long-running debate in these forums and even statements from some reputable dealers that the Antares is just a reducer (even though it is labeled Reducer/Corrector), whereas the Celestron is a true R/C, which flattens the SCTs naturally curved field and provides some edge correction. A useful thing to know is how far from the objective lens (for a refractor) is the focal reducer located. It's highly unlikely that they could be so precisely identical unless they were. This is one of our best-selling items, and customers have reported that this product is at least as good as, and probably better than, other leading f/6.3 focal reducers sold on the market for a lot more. CPWI has an extensive object database, employs PointXP mount modeling, and more. 3. 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. 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. 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. 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. This appendix summarizes how this works based on simple equations from the book Telescope Optics by Rutten and van Venrooij. Start here to find the perfect telescope for you! Yellow and orange members of open clusters stood out a bit more as the various stars displayed their individuality. All rights reserved. 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. Go behind the scenes with Celestrons product development team and learn more about our award-winning and patented innovations. Even though they may have been slightly dimmer, galaxies were a bit easier to tease out of the urban light soup I deal with. A few people have reported issues with the male SCT thread diameter on this item being a bit larger than necessary. Place the plastic covers on the lens when not in use to reduce the dust collection. In some cases, focal reducers also act as field flatteners by correcting for field curvature and coma of the objective lens. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. 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. 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. No rainchecks will be issued for items out of stock at OPTcorp.com to match a competitor's price. It can also be used with any other small chip CCD camera having a 1.25" nosepiece, such as the Celestron NexImage, Meade DSI . This "speeds up" the optical train by reducing the focal length and magnification of the scope, requiring less time to integrate the same signal. So Celestron buyers like Celestron, Meade buyers like the Meade and Antares buyer like the Antares. Reducer Lens .7x - EdgeHD 800 Learn More. The previous post shows the reducer on what appear to be two different refractors. Hmmm . For Stephen Wilkerson: The ZWO ASI120MC-S does come with a wide angle lens, HOWEVER, it is NOT intended to used when you are using the ASI120 camera attached to your telescope. Turn it on and push Align. In about three minutes, youre ready to observe! We will match any online price that we confirm as valid. That is definitely a 2" eyepiece, but it is not a large or long focal length 2" eyepiece. This focal reducer is made to attach to the rear cell of Schmidt-Cassegrain or Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes. If you want to save a few buck watch the classifieds on CN.