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Post by boomboom on Aug 18, 2015 18:40:55 GMT -5
Hi Mike and Ales,
I don't see these lenses at this fl for sale anymore. Have you stopped making them? Are there any left?
I have started building a mount to take such a scope but may have to think of f8 instead.....
Matt
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Post by aldebaran on Sept 1, 2015 1:40:28 GMT -5
I am also interested in this product for a future purchase or even to a 204 f11 R35 that is little shorter...
Michele
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Post by nobody on Sept 1, 2015 4:23:26 GMT -5
I agree entirely on the desirability of obtaining "classical" CA levels but at more modest OTA lengths.
The problem is the demand for shorter focus objectives.
Particularly since iStar's tame optician is improving CA correction with each new iteration.
The modern taste in refractors is for "fast" APOs for imaging.
Istar with its Rx optics must chase the trend by offering even larger apertures but at shorter focal lengths while remaining competitive on pricing.
The Lunt 6" APO is a difficult target to beat without raising the bar on aperture.
iStar would need sufficient orders to warrant a batch being specially made but with guaranteed sales for the majority.
Mike and Ales have said that they do not monitor the forum regularly so may miss your request.
A more direct approach may help.
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Post by Viktor Z. on Sept 1, 2015 19:16:53 GMT -5
I agree entirely on the desirability of obtaining "classical" CA levels but at more modest OTA lengths. The problem is the demand for shorter focus objectives. Particularly since iStar's tame optician is improving CA correction with each new iteration. The modern taste in refractors is for "fast" APOs for imaging. Istar with its Rx optics must chase the trend by offering even larger apertures but at shorter focal lengths while remaining competitive on pricing. The Lunt 6" APO is a difficult target to beat without raising the bar on aperture. iStar would need sufficient orders to warrant a batch being specially made but with guaranteed sales for the majority. Mike and Ales have said that they do not monitor the forum regularly so may miss your request. A more direct approach may help. hi nobody I can't speak for iStar what they need, I don't really know that. But for me as a refractor fan and customer, I really want to see that long focal length Fraunhofer refractors in all kind of apertures will be available at affordable price. I am actually planning to build another telescope with a long fl regular achromat, and there are not many companies where these are available in high quality..I hope that besides ED Apos and CeFL APOs, regular long fl achromats will be availbale too for customer's choice...
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Post by nobody on Sept 2, 2015 1:22:30 GMT -5
hi nobody I can't speak for iStar what they need, I don't really know that. But for me as a refractor fan and customer, I really want to see that long focal length Fraunhofer refractors in all kind of apertures will be available at affordable price. I am actually planning to build another telescope with a long fl regular achromat, and there are not many companies where these are available in high quality..I hope that besides ED Apos and CeFL APOs, regular long fl achromats will be availbale too for customer's choice... Hi Viktor, Who speaks for iStar? I don't really know. They are [apparently] too busy to monitor their own telescope forum yet complain about a lack of posts. Seriously? Nor do they answer direct emails from a paying customer within four days and still counting. The owner of Orion UK probably moves more telescopes in a week than iStar does in years. Yet Barry still finds time to praise new images and field questions on his own telescope forum. Why doesn't iStar appoint a forum moderator to field questions and act as go between for those queries which are aimed directly at the "busy" iStar sales team? Meanwhile, back at the ranch: The romantic appeal of a "classical achromatic refractor" must be balanced against an acceptance of reality. Can the inevitably long tube be stored, carried and mounted adequately if an equatorial is desired? I don't wish to sound negative because I am building a classical refractor myself. Fortunately I live rurally at a dark site and have a heavy, 50-year old equatorial mounting on massive pier which can [hopefully] cope with the very long tube. The carry from unheated storage to the mounting is a matter of a few yards. The Berry-style, counterbalanced, offset fork offers a cheap and cheerful way out for those willing to put up with an altazimuth. While few modern, equatorial mountings can reverse from their blind, Goto, mini-apo-imaging, pretty-as-a-picture-CNC'd-cul-de-sac. They certainly won't cope with the moment arm of a larger [6"+] refractor with a serious focal ratio to minimize CA. Which of the affordable mountings will provide sub-fractional-second, damping times whenever the OTA is touched? They lack the adequate wormwheels, shaft size and casting cross-sections to manage the physical demands of a "real" refractor.
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Post by Ales - iStar Optical on Sept 2, 2015 11:59:30 GMT -5
hi nobody I can't speak for iStar what they need, I don't really know that. But for me as a refractor fan and customer, I really want to see that long focal length Fraunhofer refractors in all kind of apertures will be available at affordable price. I am actually planning to build another telescope with a long fl regular achromat, and there are not many companies where these are available in high quality..I hope that besides ED Apos and CeFL APOs, regular long fl achromats will be availbale too for customer's choice... Hi Viktor, Who speaks for iStar? I don't really know. They are [apparently] too busy to monitor their own telescope forum yet complain about a lack of posts. Seriously? Nor do they answer direct emails from a paying customer within four days and still counting. The owner of Orion UK probably moves more telescopes in a week than iStar does in years. Yet Barry still finds time to praise new images and field questions on his own telescope forum. Why doesn't iStar appoint a forum moderator to field questions and act as go between for those queries which are aimed directly at the "busy" iStar sales team? Meanwhile, back at the ranch: The romantic appeal of a "classical achromatic refractor" must be balanced against an acceptance of reality. Can the inevitably long tube be stored, carried and mounted adequately if an equatorial is desired? I don't wish to sound negative because I am building a classical refractor myself. Fortunately I live rurally at a dark site and have a heavy, 50-year old equatorial mounting on massive pier which can [hopefully] cope with the very long tube. The carry from unheated storage to the mounting is a matter of a few yards. The Berry-style, counterbalanced, offset fork offers a cheap and cheerful way out for those willing to put up with an altazimuth. While few modern, equatorial mountings can reverse from their blind, Goto, mini-apo-imaging, pretty-as-a-picture-CNC'd-cul-de-sac. They certainly won't cope with the moment arm of a larger [6"+] refractor with a serious focal ratio to minimize CA. Which of the affordable mountings will provide sub-fractional-second, damping times whenever the OTA is touched? They lack the adequate wormwheels, shaft size and casting cross-sections to manage the physical demands of a "real" refractor.
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Post by Ales - iStar Optical on Sept 2, 2015 12:03:09 GMT -5
Hi Mike and Ales, I don't see these lenses at this fl for sale anymore. Have you stopped making them? Are there any left? I have started building a mount to take such a scope but may have to think of f8 instead..... Matt Matt, we stopped production of 204 F12 R12 but we still produce the 204 F8 R35. cheers, Ales
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Post by Ales - iStar Optical on Sept 2, 2015 12:05:05 GMT -5
I am also interested in this product for a future purchase or even to a 204 f11 R35 that is little shorter... Michele Michelle, we are going to replace the 204 F12 R35 with 204 F10 R80 Semi APO. This model will be available by third quarter of 2016. best regards, Ales
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Post by Ales - iStar Optical on Sept 2, 2015 12:14:32 GMT -5
hi nobody I can't speak for iStar what they need, I don't really know that. But for me as a refractor fan and customer, I really want to see that long focal length Fraunhofer refractors in all kind of apertures will be available at affordable price. I am actually planning to build another telescope with a long fl regular achromat, and there are not many companies where these are available in high quality..I hope that besides ED Apos and CeFL APOs, regular long fl achromats will be availbale too for customer's choice... Hi Viktor, Who speaks for iStar? I don't really know. They are [apparently] too busy to monitor their own telescope forum yet complain about a lack of posts. Seriously? Nor do they answer direct emails from a paying customer within four days and still counting. The owner of Orion UK probably moves more telescopes in a week than iStar does in years. Yet Barry still finds time to praise new images and field questions on his own telescope forum. Why doesn't iStar appoint a forum moderator to field questions and act as go between for those queries which are aimed directly at the "busy" iStar sales team? Meanwhile, back at the ranch: The romantic appeal of a "classical achromatic refractor" must be balanced against an acceptance of reality. Can the inevitably long tube be stored, carried and mounted adequately if an equatorial is desired? I don't wish to sound negative because I am building a classical refractor myself. Fortunately I live rurally at a dark site and have a heavy, 50-year old equatorial mounting on massive pier which can [hopefully] cope with the very long tube. The carry from unheated storage to the mounting is a matter of a few yards. The Berry-style, counterbalanced, offset fork offers a cheap and cheerful way out for those willing to put up with an altazimuth. While few modern, equatorial mountings can reverse from their blind, Goto, mini-apo-imaging, pretty-as-a-picture-CNC'd-cul-de-sac. They certainly won't cope with the moment arm of a larger [6"+] refractor with a serious focal ratio to minimize CA. Which of the affordable mountings will provide sub-fractional-second, damping times whenever the OTA is touched? They lack the adequate wormwheels, shaft size and casting cross-sections to manage the physical demands of a "real" refractor. Hello Nobody, I checked my iStar email box and all emails has been answered, I do not have any emails pending reply. For those who did not receive an email response, simply call me (619)-452-9820 cheers, Ales
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Post by Ales - iStar Optical on Sept 2, 2015 12:29:56 GMT -5
I agree entirely on the desirability of obtaining "classical" CA levels but at more modest OTA lengths. The problem is the demand for shorter focus objectives. Particularly since iStar's tame optician is improving CA correction with each new iteration. The modern taste in refractors is for "fast" APOs for imaging. Istar with its Rx optics must chase the trend by offering even larger apertures but at shorter focal lengths while remaining competitive on pricing. The Lunt 6" APO is a difficult target to beat without raising the bar on aperture. iStar would need sufficient orders to warrant a batch being specially made but with guaranteed sales for the majority. Mike and Ales have said that they do not monitor the forum regularly so may miss your request. A more direct approach may help. hi nobody I can't speak for iStar what they need, I don't really know that. But for me as a refractor fan and customer, I really want to see that long focal length Fraunhofer refractors in all kind of apertures will be available at affordable price. I am actually planning to build another telescope with a long fl regular achromat, and there are not many companies where these are available in high quality..I hope that besides ED Apos and CeFL APOs, regular long fl achromats will be availbale too for customer's choice... Hello Viktor, we offered long focus modified Franuhofer OTAs in the past but there was virtually no interest from customers. We sold only 8pc of 150 F15 OTAs so I decided to discontinue this model about 2 years ago. We sell much more 150 F15 lenses than complete scopes. Still, there is no such thing as high quality telescope for cheap price. Even if we offer a standard achromat in all CNC made, lightweight OTA, the price will still be around 2,000 dollars. This is the simple reason why most buyers go for inexpensive, mass produced Asian refractors. Regardless of this, we will redesign the older achromatic doublets, implement a different flint glass for better false color correction and offer 150mm or 160mm F12 OTA in the future, most likely by end of 2016. You guys can give me feedback about which model would you like to see and I will gladly consider your inputs! I will be out of my office between Sep.3 and Sep.18, 2015. If you have any question please call me 619-452-9820. I will be traveling between Arizona and Oregon, long stretches of desert and mountains without cell signal coverage. Simply leave a message and I will get back with you. best regards, Ales
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Post by nobody on Sept 2, 2015 12:50:16 GMT -5
Thank you, Ales
My email went to Mike: mike@istar-optical.com @ 20.22pm[CET] on August the 29th.
I needed a dimensioned drawing to work on my counter-cell while I await the arrival of my lens. Despite my best efforts I could not find a single image online of the rear of an iStar objective cell. John Timmins @ iStar UK has kindly sent me a drawing of the 180 f/8 R35 cell. This should [hopefully] be identical to my f/12 as far as the external cell dimensions are concerned. Please confirm ASAP if it does not before I waste time and materials.
Thanks and regards
Ø
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Post by Mike on Sept 2, 2015 13:04:55 GMT -5
Hello All, I just wanted to clear a couple of things up. First, I answer about 150 emails a week. I am "vigilant" about responding to inquiries from paying customers as well as potential customers. Just because you hit the send button does not guarantee beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am receiving your email. To think that your email goes from your computer directly to mine is fantasy. There is no way that I would ignore any email for four days. I even take my computer with me on vacation to keep up. I usually don't answer on the weekends as I simply must spend time with my family. However, come Monday morning I'm back at it. Rather than post a negative comment on this forum why not give us the benefit of the doubt and simply say that for some reason you have not gotten a response and would like to be contacted. We also have a phone number listed on our website. I am in this to make a living. I'm not there yet but ignoring customers would certainly keep me from ever getting there. I have not received any email from you. Second, this forum was not started by us and does not belong to us. Yes, we try to post here and at least read what's going on but to say we don't post or monitor our own forum is simply not true and is nothing more than another assumption. We are grateful for the individuals that post and keep this forum alive. It is a struggle to meet the demands of sales, correspondence, production, assembly, testing and shipping. So to say we are "too busy" to correspond with our customers is an unfair statement. Ales and I have struggled to keep Istar going. It's not for lack of a good product but getting this kind of business off the ground is extremely difficult and people posting false or derogatory information certainly doesn’t help. I don’t see the need for a monitor or moderator. Moderators do nothing more than create a political biased atmosphere. This is an open forum for individuals to post whatever they want within reason and proper decorum. We do ask however that you post true and correct information. I wish I had the time to chat on this forum all the time but you guys would be yelling at me for not delivering your scopes and lenses When we get rich and famous like the other telescope manufacturer owners we vow to spend much more time here. I’ll hire someone else to do the hard work and I’ll sit and play on my computer all day and night. Except for regular star testing of new telescopes, I haven’t been out observing or imaging for so long I can’t remember. For now, we must concentrate on building Istar telescopes and I hope you all understand this. The “Why Not Post” was started by me nearly a year and a half ago. I don’t consider it a complaint but more of an encouragement for people not to just lurk but post. That was before I became up to my eyeballs in scope production … and I’m not complaining as maybe someday I’ll actually make some money at this. Comparing us to Orion UK is simply silly. Barry can afford to have a whole company full of people doing the work. And more power to him as he put in his time and deserves it. Simply put, we’re not there yet. We don’t need a “go between.” Just send me an email at mike@istar-optical.com and ask for a delivery and read receipt. If you don’t get the receipt back you know something is wrong. We have great customers who appreciate our product, tell others about it and send fantastic images I didn’t know was possible with achromatics. Our business with national observatories, universities and various institutions including NASA and Lockheed Martin has really taken off. We now have lenses mounted on large professional telescopes all over Europe. So in conclusion, Yes we’re busy and thank goodness… PS. This post was not meant to scold anyone. But we do ask that you give us the benefit of the doubt. Mike
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Post by Ales - iStar Optical on Sept 2, 2015 14:04:23 GMT -5
Thank you, Ales My email went to Mike: mike@istar-optical.com @ 20.22pm[CET] on August the 29th. I needed a dimensioned drawing to work on my counter-cell while I await the arrival of my lens. Despite my best efforts I could not find a single image online of the rear of an iStar objective cell. John Timmins @ iStar UK has kindly sent me a drawing of the 180 f/8 R35 cell. This should [hopefully] be identical to my f/12 as far as the external cell dimensions are concerned. Please confirm ASAP if it does not before I waste time and materials. Thanks and regards Ø Hello Nobody, Im leaving tomorrow early morning so I figured I must take a quick look at this forum and respond at least to some important posts. Yes, all 180 F8 and 180 F12 lens cells are identical. What can possibly vary is length of the "nose" of the cell (from the outside ring to the front of the cell with engraved text), but that plays virtually no role in the actual scope design. Just to make sure you have the correct drawing, here are the most important dimensions: Outer diameter: 220mm Push - pull M5 and 5.5mm holes are positioned on 209mm diameter. There are 3 sets of 2 holes, always 15 degrees apart. rear and front clear aperture is 180mm Overall length of the cell (less front text ring) is 69mm I will send you the actual drawing once I get back to Tucson by third week of September. But Im sure you have the correct drawing because we did not make any changes on it ever since it was designed. Please, if you have any more questions, call me. I posted my telephone number here in several different posts, it is 619-452-9820. As Mike wrote today, iStar Scope Club was not created or started by iStar Optical. It was rather started by one of our very satisfied customers and kept alive for all these years. So iStar had virtually no control over the content and direction of this forum. I just wanted to add these few words regarding the ISC. Cheers, Ales
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Post by boomboom on Sept 2, 2015 17:26:28 GMT -5
Thanks Ales, that answers that question. 204 f10 R80.....will wait for that one then....great. Will the 204 f10 R80 be avaliable as an objective for us ATM types? ....he types with fingers crossed....
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Post by boomboom on Sept 2, 2015 17:33:18 GMT -5
On the subject of long throw fracs, here is what I'm thinking. ATM 2" shaft pillow block mount, with 10" byers RA drive and ATM tangent arm on the Dec bolted on a pier in an obs, with encoders, Nexus and an Ipad running Skysafari 4 pro. The scope itself, if I can get an objective that is, ATM in classic 3 part tube, bolted together with flanges and lots of bolts keeping it together. A build that is possible but will take years to achieve Matt
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