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Post by lesliehess on Feb 19, 2011 15:29:32 GMT -5
Last October I ordered a 6 inch lens from Istar and changed my mind before it shipped. I asked Ales which lens he would reccomend with the parameters I gave him. He recommended the 8.25 f12. I agreed and Istar custom made this one lens. I think less than a dozen are in existence. Boy what a project this turned into. The eq mount axis are made form a trailer axle cut in half and keyed into the wooden supports. This thing is sturdy with very little bounce. Brakes are spring loaded and placed at the bottom of each hub. I made a prelim star test last night with cheap set of Konigs. The results are encouraging. Very slight ca using the 11mm probably due to the cheap eps and slightly over comped which I like anyway. Star test showed NO coma and NO astig at all. The coatings on the lens are beautiful. Very well made. I am hoping for a clear night tonight as this is the first time this has been set up and will need to be totally disassembled and tung oil finish applied. Attachments:
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Post by mikey cee on Feb 19, 2011 16:41:29 GMT -5
Let's see some close up lens shots. Also close up of tailpiece assembly. If you don't I'll start to  ! |
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Post by borispider on Feb 19, 2011 18:05:57 GMT -5
Man-O-Man, What a nice lookin' scope.
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Post by lesliehess on Feb 19, 2011 18:34:29 GMT -5
The Business end. Attachments:
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Post by lesliehess on Feb 19, 2011 18:36:33 GMT -5
Where it all comes together. Thanks for the comps guys  Attachments:
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Post by lesliehess on Feb 19, 2011 18:40:15 GMT -5
Dovetail and handles. Scope is about 60 pounds. I am guessing. Attachments:
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Post by plyscope on Feb 20, 2011 3:57:19 GMT -5
Wow Leslie the beast is a beauty! Well done, it looks like you have put a lot of thought and effort into it. It is great to see a wooden mount too. Welcome to the club and please tell us more about your viewing experiences as you get the opportunity.
Regards
Andy
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Post by Watcher3 on Feb 20, 2011 15:00:08 GMT -5
Gorgeous scope! I worry about cutting and painting a piece of aluminum tube without screwing up, and then you guys come along who make beautiful furniture quality scope parts from scratch!
Definitely need some detailed observing reports when you get the opportunity.
Welcome aboard.
Joe
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Post by lesliehess on Mar 7, 2011 17:38:42 GMT -5
First light was a blast. Months of work now I get to use it. This lens yields super contrast and sharpness. CA is virtually non existent. No detectable coma or astig. What more can one ask for? This lens blows me away. I need to upgrade my ep selection. I used a set of Russel Optics EPs which worked quite well I must say. The 2x barlowed 11 mm took me to an outstanding 460 x. This EP is a little soft by nature but still outstanding moon observation down to the crater. M42 took my breath. more detail than I have ever seen, near the center of m42 is a tight 4 star cluster. With the 19mm I was able to resolve a faint 5th newborn in with this cluster which I have never seen before. Stars are so pinpoint and only the very brightest show a tiny bit of CA. Could be the Russell EPs, regardless the lack of CA is very very nice. Like looking through a triplet. Here is the scope with a teak oil finish. Dew shield and lens cap are the only things I still need to make.  edited image link |
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Post by mikey cee on Mar 7, 2011 18:03:30 GMT -5
Les.....Try for the sixth star F. It sits just outside of the bright A star. In my Brandt 8" f/13.3 it takes very steady seeing to avoid A's rings. My stars too are prickly pin points. That's something I'll argue till the day I die you'll never see in a newtonian or SCT. Later Mike  |
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Post by lesliehess on Mar 7, 2011 19:30:27 GMT -5
I shall try that and report back Mike. Cannot wait for an evening with great conditions.
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Post by istarmullet on Mar 8, 2011 21:49:47 GMT -5
Your wood working skills appear to be beyond reproach, nice work my man.
You should be able to easily resolve the fifth star in the m42 cluster, my 150f15 does it easily.
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Post by lesliehess on Mar 9, 2011 20:09:16 GMT -5
Thank you so much for the compliments. The forecast looks good for this weekend. Keeping my fingers crossed.
A young man down the road keeps asking my wife when I will be set up again. I wonder how it would have affected me at 13 years old to have seen through something like this. All I had was a 50mm f 10. It is so rewarding when a youngsters curiosity for astronomy is aroused.
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Post by lesliehess on Mar 11, 2011 21:02:16 GMT -5
Yes I can easily resolve star f. It is a fairly close split but I see it now that I know what I am looking at. Here is quick image of the mood I took tonight. Prime focus Canon 7d single exposure. panoramictimes.com/moon.jpgI am so looking forward to working with this scope. |
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Post by Watcher3 on Mar 11, 2011 21:29:36 GMT -5
Wow! Looks to be some very sharp optics. Do you see any color on Luna at all through the eyepiece?
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