antares vs celestron focal reducer antares vs celestron focal reducer

Since then, Agena has become one of the leading online retailers of telescopes and astronomical accessories worldwide. 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. 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. It is not a corrector or flattener. With the barrel 1.25 reducer won't focus, all I get is fuzzy snowballs. Antares or Celestron? 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. He received his first telescope at the age of 5 and completed his first university course in astronomy at the age of 12, eventually receiving a master's degree in the subject. Wonder how they would stack up with a Japanese 6.3. For me, I was looking for, and planning to keep, the one that yielded the greatest reduction. No rainchecks will be issued for items out of stock at OPTcorp.com to match a competitor's price. Like many of us with SCTs, I have bought and sold a number of f/6.3 reducer/correctors over the years, and I have always been curious how they really stack up to each other. USD $80.00. The new Lithium Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery chemistry has significant advantages over other battery chemistries, great for for those Astronomers on the go. We do not price match competitors if they are out of stock. Maybe I got a lemon. This may be a problem if the focuser tube or the diagonal (for visual observing) is too narrow to accept light at this larger angle. A longer effective focal length leads to higher magnification with a given eyepiece for visual observers. No idea what the issue is. All Rights Reserved. Oceanside Photo & Telescope wants our customers to shop with confidence knowing that you will always get the best deal available. Specially-designed focal reducers are available for use with these telescopes. If it's positioned further from the eyepiece or camera and closer to the telescope objective, the reduction factor increases. To calculate how much back focus spacing you need to add, take the thickness of the filter and divide it by 3. The lens has a knurled surface, providing a tremendous gripping surface for threading/unthreading. 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. ED stands for "extra-low dispersion," which refers to the composition and optical properties of the glass used for the lenses. The Buyer's Guide To Eyepieces at the top of the Eyepieces forum has a column for this spec. 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. And, the reality is that every F/6.3 RC out there Celestron, Hirsch, Astromania, etc., etc. I have had the Japan unit on the back of my C5 since 1994 or thereabouts. Because I have not heard any complaints about the made in China R/C. looks virtually identical, except for the lettering. 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. They are reported as identical. I've only used it a few times but it looks good to me. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use. The nominal design reduction factor of these reducers is typically 0.5x. If used before or beyond the working distance, unwanted image distortion may result, especially when using cameras with larger sensors. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. The distance d2, which measures the position of the new focal plane of the objective from the back of the focal reducer is given by Equation 5: In these equations, d1, d2, and MR are all variables that depend on each other through Equations 2 and 4. Since the Celestron and Antares are supposed to have different focal lengths and spacing specs, I expected different results. Have always disliked the crude, noisy SCT threads, but I get it. 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). As per the OP I still can't see any reason to buy the Celestron for significantly more $$$. Obviously bright objects like Jupiter or The Moon show the reflections. 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. 2.2 Using a Focal Reducer at the Working Distance, 2.3 Adjusting the Reduction Factor of a Focal Reducer, 3.3 Focal Reducers for Compound Telescopes, 3.5 Focal Reducers for Ritchey-Chretien and Field Flattened Scopes, 3.6 Focal Reducers in 1.25" and 2" Barrel Formats, 4. I've seen some older threads saying that the Celestron, Meade and Antares FRs are all the same and manufactured in the same factory. I have this one Opticstar F6.3 Focal Reducer / Corrector. 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 female end attaches to the rear cell of the telescope. 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. (Note: Using the simple equations above, the focal length of this reducer can be estimated to be about 350mm). The Reducer/Corrector can also be used for terrestrial digiscoping. At least these two units I tested make the answer - whatever. 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. Your price: $579.00. First, let's have a look at some key optical parameters are needed to understand focal reducers. Steve Based on Test 1 and Test 2, I think there is perhaps more validity to opposing statements here in these forums that the Antares and current China-made Celestron do, indeed, have exactly the same optics just with different housings and branding. They are also less expensive than many external focusers of similar build quality. Copyright 2003-2022 Agena AstroProducts. We have corrected # (iii) after equations 6 & 7. All Rights Reserved. Performance wise what differences might there be using the reducer on a smaller scope. I think I remember hearing the reduction factor is slightly different, cant remember more or less reduction. As one increases, the other decreases. If the reducer is placed elsewhere, at a position called the operating distance, the focal reduction factor will not be as advertised. What is likely is that fatigue sets in, and also that as the targets move toward or a way from the meridian there will be changes for that reason alone. F6.3 Focal reducer for F/10 or higher telescopes, 43mm aperture, 4-Element, Fully Multicoated. Some are available in 1.25" barrel format but with C threads. CEL-94245. More details are found in the Appendix of this article. During check-out, you will be presented with several shipping choices and costs. The focal length of a focal reducer is usually measured from the rear lens surface of the reducer (and not the reducer's housing). It is recommended for . 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. Celestrons FREE planetarium app is an astronomy suite that redefines how you experience the night sky. Focal reducers are essential optical accessories for astrophotography, electronically-assisted astronomy (EAA), and in some cases, for visual observation with long focal ratio telescopes. Quite interestingly it bears the very same engravings of the Meade 4000 r/c (including "series 4000") except for "MEADE". Sharpness is essentially the same. The click-lock with a 2 dielectric diagonal with a somewhat shorter light path, using both a 2 ES 28mm/68 and the same low-profile adapter with a 1.25 ES 24mm/68. 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. Take control of your telescope! Generally, views through the Antares seemed a little more transparent and brighter. But the diameter of the image circle decreases by a factor of 0.63 to about 24mm. DUE TO EXTREMELY HIGH DEMAND, WE WILL NOT BE TAKING NEW ORDERS UNTIL MONDAY, DECEMBER 14. Turn it on and push Align. In about three minutes, youre ready to observe! If used before or beyond the working distance, unwanted image distortion may result. Field stop diameters are one of the specified specs of eyepieces. Thks for that and its not for visual it for astrophotography. 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. 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. Each focal reducer has a fixed specification called the working distance or required back focus. Not noticed any optical problems. Fumbling around in the dark, fine threads might be a problem. 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. All rights reserved. The Reducer/Corrector is easy to install by threading the unit onto the rear cell of your Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope (or the reducer plate of the C11 and C14). If yes, what kind of focal reducers can I use? It was also a little brighter in the center of the field with subtle darkening in the outer 20% or so. 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. riklaunim Members 559 3,445 Location: Poland Posted October 11, 2010 They are reported as identical. The previous post shows the reducer on what appear to be two different refractors. Some third-party vendors also make reducers for SCT scopes. The amount of reduction is simply the percentage by which a reducer shortens the effective focal length of a telescope and is calculated as (1 Reduction Factor) x 100%. The review is a subjective visual impression, which is interesting but not best evidence. 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. The telescope side of the barrel is often threaded with an M48 x 0.75 thread for standard 2" astronomy filters. 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. But the smaller image circle means there is a limit to the field stop of an eyepiece that can achieve an unvignetted image. For me the Antares was a little brighter and had the least scatter by a bit so the better coatings won. Most different was that the sky background was a little darker and more uniform, providing a tiny contrast boost for fainter objects. Observing the microscopic world has never been easier! Things change but when I rebought I got an Antares and it seems about the same to me. control and Sky Viewer display makes selecting your target easy. 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. Your wishlist has been temporarily saved. It's an either/or proposition: reducer and 1.25", or 2", but not 2" and reducer. However, because the field curvatures in refractors and SCTs vary a lot, I would predict unpredictable effects inre: field curvature. Bear in mind you can't squeeze blood out of a turnip, i.e. Imagine having two telescopes in one a long focal length instrument for lunar and planetary work and a short focal length scope for deep sky observing and astrophotography. They are designed (assuming you are referring to the f/6.3 version) for the f/10 light cone. 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"). At a significantly lower price point, the Antares is a steal, and theres no need to upgrade to the Celestron if you already have one. Also read the reviews here, including those at 4 stars. if the illuminated field is 27mm wide without the reducer, it will be 27 x 0.63 = 17mm with it in place. As I understand it, compared to the old Meade SCT's, the ACF is already "coma corrected", so the standard Meade, Celestron etc F6.3 focal reducers are not suitable and will only worsen the images. Thanks for the extremely valuable article. In such cases, we will be happy to take the item back as per our standard return terms. Normal shipments will resume on Monday, March 6, 2023. nleash the full pointing accuracy of your Celestron computerized telescope with a specialized telescope control software suite. You also wont be unhappy spending the few extra bucks on the Celestron for the pretty orange lettering, particularly if you can pick one up used, as I did. Please note, orders placed after 10am on 2/28/2023 will be delayed. If used with other f/ratios, the field flattening characteristic may be unpredictable. Unique focal reducer and field corrector lens accessory Reduces the focal length and f/ ratio of your Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope by 37% Provides a dual focal ratio instrument, without sacrificing image quality Compatible with all Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes (see compatible list in description) Share Customers Also Purchased Description October 11, 2010 in Discussions - Scopes / Whole setups. 800-483-6287 Focal reducers also move the effective focal plane of the objective inward, that is, towards the objective (see Figure 1). Perhaps not exactly- there will be some uncertainty because of manufacturing tolerances and so forth, but it will be close. Therefore, a 55mm back focus with a filter that is 3mm thick added to the imaging train would become 56mm. Several functions may not work. For example, a 0.8x reducer placed at the working distance provides a reduction of (1 0.8) x 100 = 20%. Years ago, I bought the Antares version, and moved over to the Celestron. 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. 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. Reducer Lens .7x - EdgeHD 1400 Learn More. While most Barlow lenses and focal extenders work with most kinds of telescopes available to amateur astronomers, focal reducers are designed to work in a narrow range of focal ratios of a telescope objective. An eyepiece with a 27mm field stop yields a true field of 1.03 in the C6 at f/10. If I had to go out on a very thick limb, I would have to say that these two reducers/correctors are, indeed, identical the exact same glass in slightly different housings with different lettering. During a twenty-year scientific career, he developed laser systems to detect molecules found in interstellar space and planetary atmospheres, and leveraged his expertise to create laser technology for optical communications networks. 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. 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. 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. Sign up for our newsletter to get exclusive deals, observing tips, and new product announcements. You can probably eke out 1.2 without noticing serious vignetting, which is a field stop of 31.5mm. If a stronger level of focal reduction is used, say 0.5x, then the image circle may be too small to fill the sensor of larger cameras. Hello!