Search found 241 matches

by Astrograph
Thu Apr 30, 2020 9:57 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Buying a scope from USA
Replies: 19
Views: 3984

Re: Buying a scope from USA

The pressure tuned version does not really suffer from any problems. The only one I have seen is where users have unscrewed the tuner completely! Basically the pressure tuner lets you adjust wavelength without sacrificing the bandpass. With a tilt system that is a by product of tilting the etalon. T...
by Astrograph
Thu Apr 30, 2020 9:51 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha
Replies: 57
Views: 9926

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Highbury Mark, that's a shock. It will be a nice combo. I just hope it offers you the increase in resolution you are after. RKBerta, My comment about the TV-85 plus Quark was not right. I forgot the TV-85 was an F7 scope and was think it was F6.3 like the TV-76 is. In the context of your 80mm F6 the...
by Astrograph
Wed Apr 29, 2020 4:58 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha
Replies: 57
Views: 9926

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Mark, I missed one of your earlier posts. I remember the chat at Astrofest. On the subject of a good clear FOV. Visually you should be a lot more demanding of this than for imaging. With a camera sensor if the central part of the filter is good then it does not impact images. With visual, I for one ...
by Astrograph
Wed Apr 29, 2020 4:29 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Buying a scope from USA
Replies: 19
Views: 3984

Re: Buying a scope from USA

My business is Astrograph.net. We list the common Lunt models on line but rarely does anyone buy a model online without consulting us first so typically something different is ordered. As this thread suggests, its not so simple to get the right advice! I can assure you that the non PT model will not...
by Astrograph
Wed Apr 29, 2020 3:12 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Lunt Calcium Offers
Replies: 19
Views: 5286

Re: Lunt Calcium Offers

Well, to be honest my current knowledge is limited by testing the Calcium Quark, Lunt CaK Modules and planetary imaging of Venus which is best done at around 350nm, plus the result of lab scope testing. - Below 450nm most coatings are dropping off and limiting transmission. At 450nm transmission is ...
by Astrograph
Wed Apr 29, 2020 1:00 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha
Replies: 57
Views: 9926

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Solarscope is Manx Precision Optics. You can't mass produce these things at the quality they are. When you mass produce you get Lunt, Coronado and Daystar. Meaning you are more likely to see non uniformity. As with mass market optics there is a huge variation is quality. You can get lucky and get so...
by Astrograph
Wed Apr 29, 2020 12:42 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Lunt Calcium Offers
Replies: 19
Views: 5286

Re: Lunt Calcium Offers

Hey Alexandra, surely your only in your twenties?? :D I'm not an Ophthalmologist (but have a customer who is so maybe I will ask about this) but the human eye typically has a range of 380-740nm. The bottom of that covers the Calcium wavelengths. It should be understood that we don't see colour. Our ...
by Astrograph
Wed Apr 29, 2020 10:48 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Lunt Calcium Offers
Replies: 19
Views: 5286

Re: Lunt Calcium Offers

Calcium K is only for imaging. Unless you are young or have had a cataract operation you cannot see it. In any case it is in the UV band so staring at it is not a great idea! Calcium H as offered by Daystar can be seen but its a less interesting wavelength. That filter is also 5A compared to 2.4A fo...
by Astrograph
Wed Apr 29, 2020 10:40 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Buying a scope from USA
Replies: 19
Views: 3984

Re: Buying a scope from USA

OK, so as a Lunt Dealer I can tell you that the non PT LS60 with an FT is available on its own. The DS60 DS is not although the DS50 is. As a system its a bad idea so whoever recommended it does not know what they are talking about. The non PT version of the LS60 cannot be used with a front DS modul...
by Astrograph
Wed Apr 29, 2020 10:15 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha
Replies: 57
Views: 9926

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Hi Mark, As has been suggested it depends what you are ultimately trying to achieve. If you want more resolution and contrast then the answer to the first is aperture. In the UK up to about 130mm is the practical limit for consistent seeing. In my experience the difference between a 100mm and 80mm s...
by Astrograph
Sat Apr 25, 2020 5:49 pm
Forum: Solar Astronomy Shop and Swap
Topic: Lunt Calcium Offers
Replies: 2
Views: 2341

Re: Lunt Calcium Offers

Cheers Mark,

I'd be back more often but its been manic

Only B600 and 3400 left now.....

Some 19mm and 25mm Solar Spectrum back in stock now too. The sun must be shining :)
by Astrograph
Fri Apr 24, 2020 11:28 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Which camera to choose for full disk imaging
Replies: 4
Views: 3013

Re: Which camera to choose for full disk imaging

I usually use 115 to give the suns disc in mm. I can't remember where I got that from now! I would caution against the use of reducers. Firstly they will require more in focus which a solarmax might not have. The main reason though is that reducers (like the common 1.25" 0.5x) do not provide mu...
by Astrograph
Fri Apr 24, 2020 10:57 am
Forum: Solar Astronomy Shop and Swap
Topic: Lunt Calcium Offers
Replies: 2
Views: 2341

Lunt Calcium Offers

Offers from Lunt Solar! Some excellent Calcium-K offers from Lunt have just arrived B600 2" Straight CaK Module was £1071 Now £758 B1800 2" Straight CaK Module was £1853 Now £1309 B3400 2" Straight CaK Module was £2906 Now £1929 You just these module in the focuser and thats it. No ER...
by Astrograph
Fri Apr 24, 2020 10:57 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Lunt Calcium Offers
Replies: 19
Views: 5286

Lunt Calcium Offers

Offers from Lunt Solar! Some excellent Calcium-K offers from Lunt have just arrived B600 2" Straight CaK Module was £1071 Now £758 B1800 2" Straight CaK Module was £1853 Now £1309 B3400 2" Straight CaK Module was £2906 Now £1929 You just these module in the focuser and thats it. No ER...
by Astrograph
Thu Feb 20, 2020 11:25 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Can I double stack Quark + Lunt LS50THa?
Replies: 6
Views: 7112

Re: Can I double stack Quark + Lunt LS50THa?

You can make it work sometimes and sometimes not. It depends on how lucky you are with the two filters being compatible with each other. I did once combine a Quark and a Quantum to see what it was like. The contrast in the bit of the sun I could see was amazing but it was not a practical solution. I...
by Astrograph
Thu Feb 20, 2020 11:18 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Not uniform contrast with my Daystar Quark
Replies: 29
Views: 18828

Re: Not uniform contrast with my Daystar Quark

I remember many years ago, when I was still selling Quarks, looking through a Prominence Quark at 7.30am and seeing the most spectacular '3D like' view of a Prom stretching from the limb and quite a way into the chromosphere. It changed my opinion about what you 'could' get from the Prominence Quark...
by Astrograph
Fri Jul 06, 2018 4:46 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Lunt or Quark?
Replies: 6
Views: 4825

Re: Lunt or Quark?

As has already been said, the Lunt will offer you easy full disk views, the Quark will be close up. Bear in mind you might have a few attempts at getting a Quark that is acceptably uniform. A Solarscope (as in the brand) will be 10x better quality than the Lunt (or a Coronado). If spending Solarscop...
by Astrograph
Fri Jul 06, 2018 4:10 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Can i use the Daystar Quantum 0,5 withe only Baader UV/IR?
Replies: 4
Views: 3988

Re: Can i use the Daystar Quantum 0,5 withe only Baader UV/IR?

The Baader UV/IR on paper blocks more UV but in practice does not seem to be good for use as a basic internal ERF. Many years ago we suggested this filter and one day put a polariser behind it to tame the light level a little. The scope was a 100mm. The polariser did nothing. When checked its coatin...
by Astrograph
Sat May 12, 2018 1:06 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: C11 out for a third time and it gets better and better!
Replies: 21
Views: 3570

Re: C11 out for a third time and it gets better and better!

Great Images Alexandra. It must be all thanks to those screws ;) !
by Astrograph
Sat May 12, 2018 12:38 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: The ultimate solar imagers filter?? The ultimate visual?
Replies: 2
Views: 3124

Re: The ultimate solar imagers filter?? The ultimate visual?

There you go folks, you now have the inside info one what makes these filters special. And to make them a little more special there are then some dedicated accessories. - All the filters come with SC threads that feature T2 inserts so you have two, well supported ways to attach them. No need to orde...
by Astrograph
Fri May 11, 2018 10:40 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Baader Triband SCT
Replies: 19
Views: 9825

Re: Baader Triband SCT

But its pretty. It has colour and arrows and stuff.....

Do you think when they did the three colour TRI part of the logo it was the same person? Purple for Calcium. Yep. Red for Ha. Yep. Yellow for Continuum, err. Ah but of course, the Sun's yellow :)
by Astrograph
Fri May 11, 2018 1:53 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Baader Triband SCT
Replies: 19
Views: 9825

Re: Baader Triband SCT

An easy mistake as the scope is not black.
by Astrograph
Fri May 11, 2018 12:09 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: The ultimate solar imagers filter?? The ultimate visual?
Replies: 2
Views: 3124

The ultimate solar imagers filter?? The ultimate visual?

Solar Spectrum filters tend to go unnoticed, probably because you can never buy one normally without waiting for a very long time! Well a few have quietly slipped out of the factory and are waiting patiently for new homes. For the imagers among you, we have access to 6 (six - in case you missed it) ...
by Astrograph
Fri May 11, 2018 11:47 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Baader Triband SCT
Replies: 19
Views: 9825

Re: Baader Triband SCT

Speaking as both an Airylab and Baader Solar reseller, I can assure you that Frederics (Airylab) product is nothing to do with Baaders and its a lot harder to do all this than is being suggested. Low PV maybe but not L4+. It is also easy to see the difference visually between an L4 Glass ERF and an ...
by Astrograph
Wed May 02, 2018 3:25 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Does a reducer work to achieve F10?
Replies: 20
Views: 3860

Re: Does a reducer work to achieve F10?

PST etalon with its collimating lens on the back of an F10 scope should allow it to work correctly. Obviously a front ERF is needed on the Mak.
by Astrograph
Thu Dec 28, 2017 2:19 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Daystar 80mm Quark bundle scope questions
Replies: 17
Views: 4504

Re: Daystar 80mm Quark bundle scope questions

I'd tend to agree with Christian on this, but visually once the F ratio gets to F28+ you begin to see what the filter is capable of. Quarks are hit and miss anyway but using an otherwise genuine chromosphere filter on say an 80mm F6 (F25.8) results in a featureless red ball. The same filter on an F7...
by Astrograph
Tue Dec 19, 2017 9:07 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Daystar 80mm Quark bundle scope questions
Replies: 17
Views: 4504

Re: Daystar 80mm Quark bundle scope questions

Hi, welcome to Solarchat!

For a 120mm Refractor the 35nm Ha filter will look after your Quark better than a UV/IR cut. Understand though that a good front mounted filter (like Baaders D-ERF) will give you sharper / better contrast compared to an internal filter.
by Astrograph
Tue Oct 17, 2017 10:10 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Project Sunbyte is soon to fly
Replies: 9
Views: 1970

Re: Project Sunbyte is soon to fly

Valery, I guess this project is part practical and part teaching students to solve problems. I told them from day 1 over six months ago that the very first thing they should do is try taking pictures of the sun from the ground. Understand what has to be done and then think if hanging the scope from ...
by Astrograph
Tue Oct 17, 2017 4:25 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Project Sunbyte is soon to fly
Replies: 9
Views: 1970

Re: Project Sunbyte is soon to fly

The custom etalon is 0.3A. It is 32mm and the RG spec is uniform across 90%. It is not flying with this yet. The filter is designed to operate at 10C on just 40w of power. It has to be tested to see if 10C can be maintained for the flight duration (up to 5 hours with climb time) on that amount of po...
by Astrograph
Tue Oct 17, 2017 11:41 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Project Sunbyte is soon to fly
Replies: 9
Views: 1970

Re: Project Sunbyte is soon to fly

Given the weather, that's not a bad idea Aleaxandra. I think we can make it work in a simpler way
Sunbyte on the cheap.jpg
Sunbyte on the cheap.jpg (123.34 KiB) Viewed 1965 times
by Astrograph
Tue Oct 17, 2017 11:06 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Project Sunbyte is soon to fly
Replies: 9
Views: 1970

Project Sunbyte is soon to fly

Our collaboration with Sheffield University and there Sunbyte Project is no very close to getting airborne. The team are at the REXUS/BEXUS facility in Sweden. For daily updates please see the FB page https://www.facebook.com/projectsunbyte/ and the main website http://sunbyte.group.shef.ac.uk/ Brie...
by Astrograph
Fri Aug 25, 2017 3:12 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Solar Spectrum filters available from stock!
Replies: 15
Views: 7526

Re: Solar Spectrum filters available from stock!

A 0.2A can probably be done to special order. I happen to know that there are two 'really good' 0.25A Solar Observer 1's available (19mm Standard Grade). These would be advertised as 0.3A. If you want a 0.2 RG32 then this can be put on order but you may have to wait a long time. Happy to find out fo...
by Astrograph
Thu Aug 24, 2017 11:46 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: ASI 174MM and Firecapture - endless issues - looking for alternatives!
Replies: 26
Views: 10604

Re: ASI 174MM and Firecapture - endless issues - looking for alternatives!

As a supplier of both ZWO and PGR/FLIR cameras and one that tests with Firecapture, SharpCap and Genika, here are my two pennies worth 1 - Firecapture needs the latest version of Java running on your PC or it will do some strange things. 2 - Sharpcap should run the ASI natively. 3 - Genika should ru...
by Astrograph
Tue Aug 15, 2017 9:45 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Solar Spectrum filters available from stock!
Replies: 15
Views: 7526

Re: Solar Spectrum filters available from stock!

So there you have it folks, all the info you need about SS filters straight from the horses mouth.

Thanks for that Mark
by Astrograph
Sat Aug 05, 2017 3:57 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: MAK 90mm for solar
Replies: 12
Views: 5921

Re: MAK 90mm for solar

There is a version of the Combo made for Questar but this was also to be used with a front ERF. If you have a Maksutov with just a coated spot for the secondary then it will depend on the coating as much as anything else. If the coating is aluminium then it should reflect UV down to about 200nm quit...
by Astrograph
Sat Aug 05, 2017 3:29 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Solar Spectrum filters available from stock!
Replies: 15
Views: 7526

Re: Solar Spectrum filters available from stock!

Valery

I will ask about the measured uniformity. May take some time to get an answer though.

Mark

Don't we all? £10 would be nice.....
by Astrograph
Fri Aug 04, 2017 10:00 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Solar Spectrum filters available from stock!
Replies: 15
Views: 7526

Re: Solar Spectrum filters available from stock!

Luca's Solar Spectrum is an RG46 and therefore equivalent to a 'PE'. It should therefore be completely uniform. Any non RG / PE type from anyone might be uniform but could also have some non-uniformity. This is completely normal and to be expected from any 'normal grade' solar filter, because Mica i...
by Astrograph
Thu Aug 03, 2017 2:24 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Solar Spectrum filters available from stock!
Replies: 15
Views: 7526

Re: Solar Spectrum filters available from stock!

Hi Valery, Prices. These are all on my website and include VAT @ 20% (/1.2 to remove). Subject to change as rates move but stable for the moment. Types. Basically 'Observer' models and Research Grade have Active heating and cooling. The Sundancer is heated only but also features tilt tuning. Daystar...
by Astrograph
Thu Aug 03, 2017 1:07 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Solar Spectrum filters available from stock!
Replies: 15
Views: 7526

Solar Spectrum filters available from stock!

Solar Spectrum filters, normally made from unobtanium, which usually take somewhere between many, many months or even years so I hear are available from stock! Currently available are 46mm Research Grade 0.5A 32mm Research Grade 0.3A, 0.5A, 0.65A 25mm Advanced Observer 0.5A 19mm Observer 0.65A 25mm ...
by Astrograph
Thu Aug 03, 2017 12:54 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Not uniform contrast with my Daystar Quark
Replies: 29
Views: 18828

Re: Not uniform contrast with my Daystar Quark

Despite us having parted company with Daystar, I should point out that Quark etalons are not 'rejects'. What they are, are mass produced and subject to minimal testing. Jen Winter actually explained the basics of Quark production in a CN thread. Now whether you believe everything said in a forum is ...
by Astrograph
Wed Jun 28, 2017 3:57 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Different Ca-K options, differences?
Replies: 71
Views: 31327

Re: Different Ca-K options, differences?

You are fortunate that it focuses. It is not always the case. Have you been using your Calcium Quark on a Newtonian with no ERF or are you talking about one with a mirror with no coating? Lunt also offer a version of the CaK module as a diagonal. Obviously that only suits certain scopes too but refl...
by Astrograph
Mon Jun 19, 2017 2:18 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Different Ca-K options, differences?
Replies: 71
Views: 31327

Re: Different Ca-K options, differences?

Hi, To clarify the back focus comment. A telecentric adds backfocus. You need a telecentric (not a barlow) to allow an etalon to operate correctly and onband. The Quark Calcium does not have a telecentric as its bandpass is wide and scopes from F8 should be OK. The problem is that inserting the Quar...
by Astrograph
Mon Jun 19, 2017 9:21 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Different Ca-K options, differences?
Replies: 71
Views: 31327

Re: Different Ca-K options, differences?

Personally I think you would be better off with the Lunt CaK module is you can just use it with no extra costs and it will work. The Daystar CaH will require an ERF of some kind. Although I have used it on an F6.5 scope visually and it looked 'ok' it really needs to be at least double that. An impor...
by Astrograph
Thu Jun 15, 2017 11:12 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Different Ca-K options, differences?
Replies: 71
Views: 31327

Re: Different Ca-K options, differences?

Valery. I take a pride in helping people to try and understand the reality of what is out there rather than back up marketing BS. Many things look great on paper. In the real world what is delivered is often nowhere near. That applies to Tak as much as any other. TOA's, regardless of their design st...
by Astrograph
Wed Jun 14, 2017 10:25 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Different Ca-K options, differences?
Replies: 71
Views: 31327

Re: Different Ca-K options, differences?

Valery, where is the basis for TOA scopes being so wonderful at sub 400nm? They are just pretty ordinary APO's using ordinary glass. Nothing more. Any coating is not OK. For proof of this see this wavelength test between the Pierro Astro ADC and the cheap ZWO. The PA has fused silica prisms which pa...
by Astrograph
Tue Jun 13, 2017 10:41 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Different Ca-K options, differences?
Replies: 71
Views: 31327

Re: Different Ca-K options, differences?

The issue with most is coatings Mark. By design they pass the visible wavelengths and normally have a severe cut lower than 400nm. Reflectors have a double wammy as the mirror coating is often limited in its reflectivity at different wavelengths. Something like an SCT then has a coating on its corre...
by Astrograph
Tue Jun 13, 2017 11:04 am
Forum: Solar Astronomy Shop and Swap
Topic: Some solar bits available for less......
Replies: 1
Views: 3560

Some solar bits available for less......

Dear All, I have a customer wishing to upgrade his current solar setup for something bigger. As such they are selling their existing equipment to fund the upgrade. The prices quoted are I think fair as the equipment is all in A1 / as new condition which I can vouch for. This is a private sale so any...
by Astrograph
Tue Jun 13, 2017 10:25 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Different Ca-K options, differences?
Replies: 71
Views: 31327

Re: Different Ca-K options, differences?

I can only comment on results with my own eyes Valery. Planetary imagers all over the world suffer with poor blue / UV band images using SCT's. Images are not terrible but they are not the quality of other wavelengths. Corrective optics may help but they are not freely available. You should change t...
by Astrograph
Sat Jun 10, 2017 3:18 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Different Ca-K options, differences?
Replies: 71
Views: 31327

Re: Different Ca-K options, differences?

The Airylab HaT and the new 235mm D-ERF will allow Ha and WL. Calcium with an SCT is pointless as they are very poor at sub 400nm wavelengths.
by Astrograph
Fri Jun 09, 2017 10:16 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: New toys......
Replies: 3
Views: 2991

Re: New toys......

I think there is one on stock but more on the way Mark