Greetings! --Future Istar TCR owner ;)

[jaymocha]

Hello everyone!  My name is Jason, and I'm currently serving in the U.S. Army in South Korea.  I am looking to buy (very soon, like in 2 or 3 months) either the TCR 150-12 R35 or the TCR 204-12 R35.  Price is certainly one factor as I'm reluctant to spend over $4,000 on the TCR 204. The TCR 150 is only $2,600... however, the 204-12 is nearly 50% larger in light collecting area.  So i'm torn on that.  


As far as mounts go, I will buy the Losmandy G11 (60lb capacity) in October, and I think it will handle either scope for visual and astrophotography.  


Currently I own a 6" Celestron XLT-R (150mm refractor) F/5, and it suffers from pretty good CA.  However, it still provides some nice views.  I love refractors and I love the designs of Istar, especially the TCR line.  


What are your guy's thoughts on the TCR 150-12 vs the 204-12?  Also, any information on whether a R50 of these scopes will be released soon?


Thanks, and it's good to be here.


Jason


PS.  let me also say that I am going to be using this scope for both visual and astrophotography, with astrophotography being the primary function of the scope.

[mikey cee]

Jason buy the 204!! You can save dollars on a purchase only one time. But the error in doubting your purchase will live on into "eternity"!! Let's get with the program and thanks for your service by the way!! Mike

[boomboom]

I'm with Mikey. I built a 150 f12 achro….love it but if you have a mount that can take the 8" then get the 8.
I'm already planning on the next one, no surprise it's an 8" f12 R 35 or whatever Istar can come up with that is better like the R50/60 possibly if that can be made in 8" size. if I can make the tube light enough, needs to be circa 25kg all up.
Matt

[jaymocha]

Thanks guys!  I definitely want the 8" as I already own a 6" f/5 refractor.  So, I suppose now that i have decided on the 8", which one?    I'm going to be using it for astrophotography of BOTH solar system objects and DSO's.  I like the idea of the f/8 for its more compact size, but the f/12 really looks appealing for its achromatic qualities.  I have searched through the forums for some nice high quality pics of stars with both for comparison but I haven't seen any?  I've seen the stuff from jp and I have an account with Astrobin (as does jp) and I like his photos a lot.  But he has the Ha lens and does mostly Sol pics.  I'll keep looking for some pics from these two scopes, and I was wondering if there is a spot report for both scopes that I can compare?  I've seen the 150 spot reports that Ales put out and I would love to compare the 204-12 R35 and 204-8 R35 spot reports to those and the 127 spot report.  Thanks for your help guys.

BTW, thanks for helping me make my decision.  The 204-x R35 (which ever one I decide to get) I'm sure will make me very happy.

[Ales - iStar Optical]

Jay, the spot diagrams are all under the lens category. Go to R35 anastigmats and look under both 204 F8 and 204 F12. The F12 is already a finished scope in our stock, currently in our Arizona location. It was checked by David Rankin a well known amateur astronomer, he found quality of this scope to be very good and the test image of Jupiter came out quite well.
Most people use these scopes for visual only. This is why you have problem finding photos made with these models. But you should find some made by a customer in California, he purchased TCR 150-12 R35. Also, JP from France does have Ha but this only means that your scope is better corrected for the visual spectrum and photos made with this scope will be of higher quality. There is an absolutely breathtaking BW photo of the Orion nebula, ask JP to send you copy. I might find it in my own comp and post it on this forum. It will be worth it. People tend to forget that these scopes are indeed capable of some nice APS format imaging. By the way, if you want to go beyond the APS chip format, you must get a decent field flattener for DSO photography. Still, I think that you will stick with thins scope for visual and buy a nice astrograph when the time is right. I want you to be happy and don't expect this scope to be a great DSO imaging scope, it is not. it main purpose it to provide astronomers with some of the best visual experience and some limited but rewarding photo capabilities. Again, for best results, you MUST use the narrowband filters or/and the RGB filters. This way you will be able to achieve some really nice results comparable to a good APO doublet. Ive seen photos made with standard achromats through a set of narrowband filters (each with assigned color) and I was amazed how great they came out!! it was some Italian guy who specialized in DSO photography using his 150 f10 (I believe) achromatic refractor.
Stay in touch, go for the F12. The CA is indeed better controlled. I will try to pull out a better, more detailed spot diagrams. Let me call my optician Zdenek. Those posted with lenses are not detailed enough, they all look a little similar in this scale. Also, give the iOptron mount a serious thought. Im not pushing it only because it is iStars preferred mount brand and we cooperate with iOptron on many new projects. It is simply an outstanding mount for the money, outperforming anything in its class.
Be well and stay in touch with people at this forum!
regards,
Ales

[jaymocha]

Ales, thanks for pointing me to the spot diagrams. I have taken a look at them now and am pretty decided on the 204-12 R35. I also wanted to see how the 204-12 compared to some smaller diamter f/12 scopes like your 127 f/12 and I'm pretty happy with what I saw.

I will contact Mike now and find out how to secure the scope for me. Thanks for your help Ales! It is appreciated.

Jason

[jpb30]

Welcome Jason

JP

[jaymocha]

Thanks JP!

I really like your scope and images. Quite inspiring!