antares vs celestron focal reducer antares vs celestron focal reducer

The Antares f6.3 focal reducer screws directly to the visual-back thread of all popular SCTs and converts f10 instruments to f6.3. It can also be used with any other small chip CCD camera having a 1.25" nosepiece, such as the Celestron NexImage, Meade DSI . The lens has a knurled surface, providing a tremendous gripping surface for threading/unthreading. If used before or beyond the working distance, unwanted image distortion may result, especially when using cameras with larger sensors. Focal reducers for these relatively fast ED refractors are generally for imaging only, not for visual observation. Explicitly designed for Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes, this unique lens reduces your telescopes focal length and f/ ratio by 37%, turning your long focal length telescope into a fast, short focal length instrument. However, these will not impact optical performance. Go behind the scenes with Celestrons product development team and learn more about our award-winning and patented innovations. A focal reducer does just the opposite of a Barlow lens or focal extender. Stars had a tiny bit more sparkle and pop. I have had the Japan unit on the back of my C5 since 1994 or thereabouts. Therefore, a 55mm back focus with a filter that is 3mm thick added to the imaging train would become 56mm. EclipSmart solar products feature Solar Safe filter technology providing the ultimate protection from harmful solar radiation, including both IR and UV light, and filters 99.999% of visible light. 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 . I have the Japanese version and although I haven't used it in quite awhile, the views through it were superb with no internal reflections at all. The Celestron is both a corrector and focal reducer and the Antares is just a focal reducer. Manish Panjwani has been an active amateur astronomer since before Halley's Comet last flew by our neighborhood. Focal reducers for many SCTs and their flat-field equivalents usually have a back-focus distance of 105mm. Dedicated focal reducers for refractors are intended primarily for imaging, not visual observation. The more focal reduction, the further inward the focal plane will be. 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? At least these two units I tested make the answer - whatever. Stars in the corner of the image frame are indistinguishable between the Antares and the Celestron. Increasing the operating distance, that is, moving a focal reducer away from the eyepiece or camera reduces its reduction factor, or conversely increases the amount of reduction. All Rights Reserved. You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. Who cares? 2. 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. Once focused it's pretty good. Also read the reviews here, including those at 4 stars. High power views will provide flatter fields all the way to the edge, both visually and photographically. Sharpness is essentially the same. It works fine but you should stick with 1.25 EPs; or can use 2" EPs without corrector. control and Sky Viewer display makes selecting your target easy. Sign up to receive sale alerts, news about upcoming celestial events, and telescope tips from our experts! 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. I think I remember hearing the reduction factor is slightly different, cant remember more or less reduction. This appendix summarizes how this works based on simple equations from the book Telescope Optics by Rutten and van Venrooij. However, some focal reducers can be used over a wider range of working distances, especially those with simpler optical design, and especially when used with cameras with smaller sensors. No experience with the Antares reducers, but I haven't personally seen a difference between Celestron and my current pair of made in Japan Meade reducers. Reviews. 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. Since then, Agena has become one of the leading online retailers of telescopes and astronomical accessories worldwide. Even though the manufacturer did not specify the working distance or focal length of this reducer, it is easy to see from this plot that this item provides its stated reduction of 0.5x when it is placed at a working distance of 51.5mm between the base of the threads on the mount and the focal plane of the eyepiece or camera. Wow, that is a very detailed discussion! With spring galaxy season here, I decided to pick up a couple more to compare in a head-to-head shoot out. But I am rusty, can you condense a bit for me please? Request stock alerts and we'll let you know when the item is back in stock. 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. Given the results of Test #1, I wanted to see if there was any truth to this assumption. Orders placed after 12:00 PM Pacific Time will be shipped the next business day. Hello! Just point the telescope at any three bright objectsstars, bright planets, or even the Moonand your telescope can orient itself with the night sky. It seems right to put some distance between the camera and the focal reducer, right? The most popular accessories for your new telescope! Today, our world-class team of optical and electronic engineers continues to push the boundaries of technology. A few large telescopes and mounts are excluded from this free shipping offer. 2023 OPT Telescopes. These scopes are compatibles with focal reducers. For me, I was looking for, and planning to keep, the one that yielded the greatest reduction. 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 example, a 0.8x reducer placed at the working distance provides a reduction of (1 0.8) x 100 = 20%. 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. Easy solution found a very tiny dab of super lube on the threads and all was well and quiet.. 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. As a result, the smaller tube may cut into the light cone and effectively reduce the working aperture of the telescope. I have an 8SE, and am thinking about getting a focal reducer. 160K views 9 years ago This video is a complete overview of focal reducers and how they function applying to telescopes. This filter threads on to the rear cell of your Celestron or Meade SCT telescope. Nebula Filters. 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. But while the image gets brighter, the size of the image circle gets proportionately smaller. Never used one, but read the reviews here that suggest a coating problem. Regardless, the difference was miniscule and is more than adequate on both and exceeds a 8 or 6 SCTs baffle tube diameter. . Field stop diameters are one of the specified specs of eyepieces. They are designed (assuming you are referring to the f/6.3 version) for the f/10 light cone. Antares or Celestron? I have Hirsch focal reducer, which is yet another clone of the Celestron reducer. All additional accessories mount onto the exterior/male threads. Newtonian reflectors will seldom be able to accommodate the in-focus travel demanded by focal reducers. This is a. Focal Reducer, 2", 0.7X. Because I have not heard any complaints about the made in China R/C. I have this one Opticstar F6.3 Focal Reducer / Corrector. Try & buy if you like - usual mates rates. An image of about 24mm across, approximately, allows an observer to use a 1.25" eyepiece with a maximal field stop. It must be in stock at the time of Price Match for us to make a guarantee. 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. 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. In terms of reduction and correction which are what reducer/correctors are supposed to do both are superb. In both cases will end with a similar tfov. Sign up for our newsletter to get exclusive deals, observing tips, and new product announcements. I wont bother with differences in packaging, caps, etc. and you will be fine. Since the focal plane of an eyepiece is rarely precisely known(except for some brands such as Baader Planetarium and Tele Vue), and because the nosepiece of an eyepiece is of a fixed length, the actual reduction factor will be close to, but not exactly at, its designed reduction factor. 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. During check-out, you will be presented with several shipping choices and costs. Read our guide! He tested this on an 8 Celestron , I have a Celestron 6SE. The reducer fits all Meade and Celestron . Thanks for pointing this out. Obviously bright objects like Jupiter or The Moon show the reflections. 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. Thanks for any advice or experience you could share. I own both and concur heartily. Assuming you use the reducer with the stock 1.25" diagonal, it will operate at f/6.3. Thanks. Specially-designed focal reducers are available for use with these telescopes. You cannot, for example, use a 0.63x focal reducer intended for a standard Celestron or Meade SCT and use it on a Celestron Edge HD or a Meade ACF. The working distance or required back focus, explained above, is usually specified and is far more important in practice. Refractors, or SCTs with external focusers, may not have sufficient in-travel to reach focus in some configurations. 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. The most significant mechanical variation, however, is the quality and precision of the threading. a Tele Vue Panoptic), or a Plossl eyepiece with an apparent field of view of 50 and a focal length of 32mm. You currently have javascript disabled. 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. To further factor out my natural astigmatism (I normally wear glasses while observing), I did the tests with my regular progressive lenses, single vision glasses I use when observing, and naked eye. The camera side of the focal reducer is threaded for a T-adapter with wide M48 threads, or in some cases, with smaller M42 threads. 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. Is that distance D= Fo-d1=Fo-(d2/MR)? 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. Because most modern Newtonians already have relatively fast focal ratios, these telescopes do not usually use focal reducers. Free shipping $189.95 Your price: $579.00. Product Details 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. 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. Opticstar F6.3 Focal Reducer / Corrector. This means that there must be sufficient travel on the telescope focuser to make up for this. 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. So ab6110 is asking for a FR only without coma correction, there are a couple of brands who make special reducers for the ACF. But nearly every observer who installs one of these devices is pleased with their performance. It's highly unlikely that they could be so precisely identical unless they were. There are many different types of focal reducers and they all effect. Focal reducers for refractors are easy to use. Reducer Lens .7x - EdgeHD 1100 Learn More. The designed reduction factor (0.5x in the case of the GSO reducer example above) should be considered a rule of thumb or approximate value in most cases, rather than a very precise number. Description. ED glass is specially formulated and contains rare-earth compounds that greatly reduce a visual defect called chromatic aberration. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Well done. As a Barlow's magnification increases with increasing distance from the Barlow, a focal reducer's reduction increases with increasing distance from the reducer. That is definitely a 2" eyepiece, but it is not a large or long focal length 2" eyepiece. I've only used it a few times but it looks good to me. One focal reducer will not achieve optimum results with all types of telescopes, so there is no universal' focal reducer. We tested GSO's 1.25" 0.5x focal reducer at a variety of operating distances and calculated the field of view through a telescope to derive the actual reduction factor that is plotted below. I must admit, as well, that I no longer place a lot of stock in the notion that Chinese optics are inferior to Japanese or Taiwanese any longer, as manufacturing technology has really leveled the playing field today, with most Chinese optics being excellent. which looks like the same one. Images made with my ZWO 533 camera testing both show them to be essentially the same. I'd favor the Japanese Celestron version over the others that are commercially available. Again, to my surprise, there was absolutely no difference between the Celestron and Antares on any star. 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. Start Chat We have corrected # (iii) after equations 6 & 7. The focal length and design working distance for this focal reducer were not available from the manufacturer. ), 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. The easiest way to use a focal reducer is to make sure you place it at the specified working distance in front of your camera or eyepiece. They are also less expensive than many external focusers of similar build quality. 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). This innovative software solves the time-consuming problem of trying to pinpoint the North Celestial Pole. I don't know. Yet, the Antares still easily and fully threaded without any hitches. Celestrons award-winning Nature DX binocular gets a major upgrade with the addition of ED objective lenses. The reducer features fully coated optics in an anodized aluminum filter ring with an ergonomic rubber grip. 800-483-6287 All rights reserved. Turn it on and push Align. In about three minutes, youre ready to observe! The Celestron f/6.3 is ~150 compared to the Antares at ~70. But the diameter of the image circle decreases by a factor of 0.63 to about 24mm. I have the Antares and have no complaints. The Reducer/Corrector can also be used for terrestrial digiscoping. A slight nod to the Antares for heft and higher transmission, but points to the Celestron for nice threads and better contrast. They never really recovered from selling a few 15 years back with element reversed. Optically, it consists of a four-element lens that is fully multi-coated for high contrast and resolution. An f/6.3 reducer is designed to reduce the focal ratio of an f/10 SCT to f/6.3. 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. I doubt there is any difference between the Antares and the Celestron except price. 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. Get ready for a night of astroimaging with your mount faster than previously thought possible with All-Star Polar Alignment. I even lost track of which reducer I was using. However, doesn't fit in the telescope and even if it did wouldn't work. What I do know is that the Antares and the Celestron samples that I have perform exactly the same from the center right out to the edges. Sign up for our newsletter to get exclusive deals, observing tips, and new product announcements. 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? For example, the focal reducer for an 8-inch Celestron EdgeHD telescope has a design reduction factor of 0.7x and a specified working distance (or back focus) of 105mm. This focal reducer is made to attach to the rear cell of Schmidt-Cassegrain or Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes. If you place your camera at a different working distance, you will get a different reduction factor and perhaps unwanted distortion in the image. 3. Download the Celestron PWI Telescope Control Software. I use the same back spacing for both on a small 6" Celestron SCT. For Ritchey-Chretien telescopes such as those manufactured by GSO, there are also dedicated focal reducers with a reduction factor of 0.7x to 0.8x.