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Post by Watcher3 on Jun 26, 2011 17:08:01 GMT -5
I've been waiting to see the second page of achro lenses updated on the ISTAR website.
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Post by Mike on Jun 27, 2011 9:56:10 GMT -5
I think finding large blanks is the problem. However, we are currently producing a lens for The Mt. Stromlo Observatory in Australia and it's a 9" achro. OK, looked back through my notes and found the R30 and R60 blanks are the difficulty. Are you waiting for anything in particular? Note I said difficult not impossible. They have been ordered and are due in 2 to 3 months.
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Post by Watcher3 on Jun 27, 2011 11:28:56 GMT -5
Not looking to buy anything else right now, but certainly in the future. There's a chance that I will be moving to a better place for astronomy in the next year or so. If I do, I would probably be in the market for, first, a 6" F/15 R(60? I thought R70 was mentioned), then, depending on how my 6" F/5 floats my boat, maybe a 8" F/5.9, or 9" F/7.2. I was just wondering if the big guns were going to be available as a regular part of the offerings. I'll be wanting something like a long 9 or 10 inch eventually when I retire in 10 years.
The Apos are nice and all, but it's the big achros that caught my interest in the first place.
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astrosean
Full Member
Jack and Jill
Posts: 50
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Post by astrosean on Jun 27, 2011 19:22:11 GMT -5
I emailed a couple of months ago about the 8" f16 and larger and Ales said they had only the 8" f9 in stock. He said anything could be produced in a couple of months if I wanted something in the larger/longer sizes. Full payment was due before work would be started which scared me off some. I don't mind being crazy on a lens that exists, but being crazy on one that doesn't is...well.. Crazy! That being said, I am happy with my 6" for now... Maybe next year....
Sean
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Post by Mike on Jun 27, 2011 20:39:11 GMT -5
I wouldn't have let it scare you Sean. To my knowledge no one has paid for a lens and never received it. Ales doesn't want an 8" lens sitting around waiting for a buyer. You know how many people change their mind or their circumstances change? The wife finds out, a job is lost or a guy decides he has bitten off more than he can chew... the deal is off and we're stuck with it. If you change your mind it might be months before Ales could sell the lens. Istar has never hid the fact that it is a small company. You want something custom you have to pay for it up front. We just sold a 9" to restore an observatory... all paid up front.
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astrosean
Full Member
Jack and Jill
Posts: 50
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Post by astrosean on Jun 28, 2011 19:18:30 GMT -5
You are so right about the wife part... more than you know.... I am happy to hear Istar has put out a 9" lens, to my knowledge I have heard of 3 or 4 objective manufacturers larger than 8". Breaking that threshold puts Istar in very good company with Brandt, Ziess, Ceriogoli and  With good glass being so hard to come by(and expensive) as well as the tooling, technology for testing and technique I don't think anyone wants to be a guinea pig. My point is if you are going to advertise 9", 9.8" and 11.8" objectives the burden of proof as a quality lens maker is on you the manufacturer and we all need to see that big glass! Sean |
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Post by Mike on Jun 28, 2011 22:47:38 GMT -5
Sending your money to Europe is a little scary. Not much recourse unless you fly to the Czech Republic. Hopefully my presence here in the US will help to alleviate such worry. As far as the 9" all I can say is that is one big piece of glass. Know what worries me more than sending money to Europe? Dropping 9 inches of glass  I'll post pictures. |
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Post by Watcher3 on Jul 12, 2011 13:18:54 GMT -5
Well, I finally noticed page 2 of the achro lenses is up, Don't know how long it's been there, cause the link to page 2 is different than it was before. The "comet sweeper" 8 inch F/5.9 is not listed as a lens only. I only mention it because I noticed some interest in that size/focal length a while back on CN, and I may be interested a little ways down the road also.
Joe
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Post by Mike on Jul 12, 2011 17:50:01 GMT -5
If your talking about the Phoenix WFT 204-6. It, along with every scope we sell, is available as a lens only. Just send Ales an email and ask for a lens only price. He is away until the 21st so you'll just get a automated response that says to contact me.
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Post by Watcher3 on Jul 12, 2011 17:59:49 GMT -5
Nothing that pressing for me. Gonna be a while before I can get the 150mm scope paid down, once I get that. I was just thinking that it might get some attention if it were listed on the lens page also. There was a thread on CN a ways back that had some folks drooling over an 8" F/6.
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Post by Mike on Jul 12, 2011 19:45:51 GMT -5
Let's get Ales to make us each a 200mm APO. Can we get an F6 in that? |
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Post by borispider on Jul 12, 2011 20:08:30 GMT -5
sure, why not. Then I can write a review of it and compare it to my C4R and my 114nt dob  |
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Post by Mike on Jul 12, 2011 20:49:33 GMT -5
C'mon Mr. Spider you can't take it with you. May as well spend it while you're alive and can enjoy it. Right Joe?
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Post by Watcher3 on Jul 13, 2011 0:44:25 GMT -5
He who dies with the most toys,,,,,wins! |
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Post by mrkellytaylor on Aug 26, 2011 0:04:31 GMT -5
I would like to know if a 300 mm R65 is possibile simple doublet F/10 3000mm
Mr .Kelly Taylor
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