Today's SUN (20171028) | CORONADO SM TESTS

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pedro
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Today's SUN (20171028) | CORONADO SM TESTS

Post by pedro »

Today's SUN (20171028) | CORONADO SM TESTS

Check out a few comparison images below. Coronado SM etalons are very different and Pre-Meade versions seem to be much better
Please check out the FULL SIZE images

WEBLINK:
http://re.apaaweb.com/sun_h_alpha_2017-10.html


Coronado SolarMax comparison images (20171028) | Pedro RE
SOLAR ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY
TV101, LUNT60, BF30
SM90II, SM60, SM40, SM40II, LUNT60

Image
IMAGING SETUPS

Image
IMAGING SETUPS

Image
OBSERVATORIES (DJI INPIRE ONE)

Image
IMAGING SETUPS (LUNT60)

Image
IMAGING SETUPS (SM90II)

Image
IMAGING SETUPS (SM40II)

Image
IMAGING SETUPS (SM40)

Image
IMAGING SETUPS (SM60)

Image
SUN (20171028) H-alpha DISK & PROMS (10:30 UTC). LUNT60, BF30, PGR GRASSHOPPER 3 GS3-U3-28S4M

Image
SUN (20171028) H-alpha DISK & PROMS (10:00 UTC). TV101 F/5.4, SM90II, BF30, PGR GRASSHOPPER 3 GS3-U3-28S4M

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SUN (20171028) H-alpha DISK & PROMS (10:00 UTC). TV101 F/5.4, SM40II, BF30, PGR GRASSHOPPER 3 GS3-U3-28S4M

Image
SUN (20171028) H-alpha DISK & PROMS (10:00 UTC). TV101 F/5.4, SM40, BF30, PGR GRASSHOPPER 3 GS3-U3-28S4M

Image
SUN (20171028) H-alpha DISK & PROMS (10:00 UTC). TV101 F/5.4, SM60, BF30, PGR GRASSHOPPER 3 GS3-U3-28S4M

Image
SUN (20171028) H-alpha DISK & PROMS (10:00 UTC). TV101 F/5.4, SM60, BF30, PGR GRASSHOPPER 3 GS3-U3-28S4M

Image
SUN (20171028) H-alpha DISK & PROMS (10:00 UTC). TV101 F/5.4, SM60, BF30, PGR GRASSHOPPER 3 GS3-U3-28S4M

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SUN (20171028) CaK PROMS (10:00 UTC). TV101 F/5.4, LUNT 1200 CaK Module, PGR GRASSHOPPER 3 GS3-U3-28S4M

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SUN (20171028) WL, CaK & H-alpha (10:00 UTC). TV101 F/5.4, LUNT 1200 CaK Module, SM60, BF30, PGR GRASSHOPPER 3 GS3-U3-28S4M
Last edited by pedro on Sat Oct 28, 2017 10:02 pm, edited 4 times in total.


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Re: Today's SUN (20171028) | CORONADO SM TEST

Post by marktownley »

I was looking forward to seeing the results of this Pedro. The newer Coronado etalons certainly are lower contrast and off band compared to the older units. For me, I think my favourite is from the Lunt 60, followed by the SM40, the SM60 looks like it has to have a bit more tilt to get it on band? The newer SMII etalons - they're off band definitely. I've tried several SM40 etalons, and i've never been 100% happy with the results, the tilt needed, which for me varied quite significantly from season to season, always resulted in a non uniform bandpass across the disk as a whole. I've (finally!) got round to saving the money for the Lunt50 i've been promising to buy for some time to use with the L50C etalon I already own to doublestack with; however i've now got the jitters that if I get one the sweetspot isn't going to be central in the FOV. It's a bit of a lottery as there's no real way to test them properly prior to purchase...


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Re: Today's SUN (20171028) | CORONADO SM TEST

Post by pedro »

I totally agree Mark. Newer SM are not as good compared to their Pre-Meade counterparts.

I have two Pre-Meade SM60s and one is excellent (very uniform image and high contrast with almost no tilt).

Another thing I noticed is that BFs also vary a lot. I use an old Coronado (Pre-Meade) BF30 most of the times.

The LUNT60 and LUNT50 are definitely good buys. You will not regret it.

best regards


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Re: Today's SUN (20171028) | CORONADO SM TESTS

Post by marktownley »

My blockers are all different too - my bf15 works best for me.


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Re: Today's SUN (20171028) | CORONADO SM TESTS

Post by pedro »

I also like my BF15

Check out the video with the comparison images (Coronado SolarMax etalons)


Coronado SolarMax comparison images (20171028) | Pedro RE
SOLAR ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY
TV101, LUNT60, BF30
SM90II, SM60, SM40, SM40II, LUNT60


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Re: Today's SUN (20171028) | CORONADO SM TESTS

Post by marktownley »

Looks good! The objective on that Lunt60 could do with a dust again though. (just don't send it to Meade for them to do it ;) )


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Re: Today's SUN (20171028) | CORONADO SM TESTS

Post by pedro »

Thanks Mark

I dusted it before taking the shot ;-)

I remember that one of my previous etalons was serviced in Germany and came back perfectly aligned
Last edited by pedro on Mon Oct 30, 2017 11:27 am, edited 1 time in total.


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Re: Today's SUN (20171028) | CORONADO SM TESTS

Post by ffellah »

Excellent and very interesting side by side comparison, Pedro. There is nothing like seeing actual side by side results in the field.

Thank you !

Franco


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Re: Today's SUN (20171028) | CORONADO SM TESTS

Post by GUS »

Thanks for the comparison Pedro. I went through three SMII 60mm etalons that had the central spacer disk come loose. One was a fantastic SS etalon, the other two took were poor to average performers in SS, but worked great as DS units on my Lunt LS60, perfomed as good as my LS60F DS etalon. I also had two SM40 etalons, an SM and SMII, both meade, with the SMII being the better performer.


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Re: Today's SUN (20171028) | CORONADO SM TESTS

Post by pedro »

Thanks Franco & Gus for your comments


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Re: Today's SUN (20171028) | CORONADO SM TESTS

Post by Montana »

They are all very different!
Pedro, rather than sticking to your favourite blocking filter, have you tested all of them on all of the etalons. It could be that one blocking filter may match an etalon better than another. So have you tested your problematic etalon with every single blocking filter you own?

Alexandra


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Re: Today's SUN (20171028) | CORONADO SM TESTS

Post by pedro »

It's an idea Alexandra, thanks

I have lots of different BFs. Several BF10, one BF15 one BF30 and one LUNT B3400

I have tested only the BF30 with the SM90II. I will have to use other coronado BFs but I suspect that I will get similar results


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Re: Today's SUN (20171028) | CORONADO SM TESTS

Post by marktownley »

A long way for you maybe, but take that offband 90 up Serra da Estrella on a portable setup and see how it gets on with a bit of altitude? If it performs better it might be worth selling it onto somebody who lives higher up than you do...


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Re: Today's SUN (20171028) | CORONADO SM TESTS

Post by Derek Klepp »

Thanks for all the testing Pedro and good luck with your 90.


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Re: Today's SUN (20171028) | CORONADO SM TESTS

Post by pedro »

Thanks Mark & Derek

Good idea to test it at Serra da Estrela. I will have to give it a go

I already contacted the folks at Meade and I'm waiting for an answer

best regards


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Re: Today's SUN (20171028) | CORONADO SM TESTS

Post by marktownley »

pedro wrote: Wed Nov 01, 2017 9:36 am I already contacted the folks at Meade and I'm waiting for an answer
I don't have much faith in them telling you anything meaningful or worthwhile :D

I do hope they prove me wrong though...


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Re: Today's SUN (20171028) | CORONADO SM TESTS

Post by pedro »

Let's wait and see. I'm still waiting for an answer


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Re: Today's SUN (20171028) | CORONADO SM TESTS

Post by MapleRidge »

Hi Pedro...

An excellent series of images and an interesting comparison of image quality through the various filters/scopes.

Brian


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Re: Today's SUN (20171028) | CORONADO SM TESTS

Post by pedro »

Thanks a lot Brian


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