This rugged, 3-in-1 device features a true tactical 3-mode flashlight, a hand warmer, and a portable power bank for recharging your personal electronics on the go. Unlike . Celestron Nexstar+ 127 SLT, several budget plossl eyepieces, Celestron 8-24mm zoom EP and a 12.5mm illuminated double reticle EP, Svbony SV205 camera w/.5 focal reducer, Celestron SkyMaster 20x80 binos on a 40 yr old QuickSet PanHead tripod, Stellarium, Sharpcap and ManyCam on my laptop, SkyView and Nightshift on my phone and a dandy little $9 . If the reducer is placed elsewhere, at a position called the operating distance, the focal reduction factor will not be as advertised. This part is no longer in production, but it is sometimes available used and may be used with cameras with smaller sensors. I think that the FRs made in Japan in the day may have been better. It might work but it does not tell us anything about how well or to what extent the product works to correct the field of an SCT. Theoretically each of these combinations all varied-length light paths should have resulted in slightly different reductions between the Celestron and Antares, since they supposedly have different focal lengths. I use the Celestron version and it seems OK for both visual and imaging. These RC reducers cannot be used with other types of telescopes. The Antares is supposed to be pretty comparable. Using an eyepiece with a 27mm field stop with the reducer will illuminate the edge the same as using an eyepieces with a 42.9mm field stop without it. 160K views 9 years ago This video is a complete overview of focal reducers and how they function applying to telescopes. Another factor to consider: focal reducers also increase the angle at which light approaches the focal plane. 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. Can you help me? Try & buy if you like - usual mates rates. As mentioned in Section 2 of this guide, the reduction factor of a focal reducer depends on its position in the optical path relative to the eyepiece or camera. Also, the focusers of most Newtonians do not have enough in-travel to accommodate a focal reducer. My Celestron was made in China and the Antares in Canada. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Completely stuck, completely frustrated. 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. Reducer - Corrector Learn More. I have/had both the Celestron (Japan) and Antares units. For visual use, this means you get lower power with the same eyepiece and a wider field of view. My application is mostly visual now, but I'm looking to do more astrophotography over time. Increasing the operating distance, that is, moving a focal reducer away from the eyepiece or camera reduces its reduction factor, or conversely increases the amount of reduction. A few people have reported issues with the male SCT thread diameter on this item being a bit larger than necessary. Here, there was a subtle difference . However, because the field curvatures in refractors and SCTs vary a lot, I would predict unpredictable effects inre: field curvature. 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. Focal reducers for refractors with focal ratio of f/7 to f/9, roughly, have a design reduction factor of about 0.75x to 0.8x and produce a flat field by correcting for the curvature of the objective lens. The review is a subjective visual impression, which is interesting but not best evidence. It must be in stock at the time of Price Match for us to make a guarantee. We process your personal data as stated in our. The most significant mechanical variation, however, is the quality and precision of the threading. In many cases, the answer is yes, especially for electronically-assisted astronomy (EAA). Using this same example of an 8" SCT and a 0.63x reducer, a visual observer can also enjoy brighter images and a wider field of view. Reproduction without permission prohibited. Celestron makes a series of focal reducers for the Edge HD line that are matched to the 8", 9.25", 11", and 14" apertures of these scopes. The resultant reduction factor was measured to be 0.46x. Our proprietary StarBright XLT optical coatings dramatically increase transmission, up to 97.4% on our Schmidt corrector lenses. 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. 3. They are reported as identical. riklaunim Members 559 3,445 Location: Poland Posted October 11, 2010 They are reported as identical. It was used strictly for imaging, not visual observing. * Not a Retail Store * 16313 Arthur StreetCerritos, CA 90703, USA. If I had to guess, the difference is maybe 10-15 grams. For this test, I used a single configuration R/C, Click-lock, and 1.25 diagonal with the adapter. Things change but when I rebought I got an Antares and it seems about the same to me. However, with appropriate spacers and a camera with a known back-focus, it is easy to determine the exact amount of focal reduction for a given setup (some imaging software packages will also let you derive this from images). All rights reserved. All rights reserved. . This telescope control software replaces the hand control and allows the user to remotely control their Celestron computerized telescope from their personal PC or laptop. Nebula Filters. Clearly cost is a big factor for satisfied users. Again, swapping back and forth for a couple of hours on M44, M35, and several brighter stars, I examined the shape of specific stars near the edge of the field with both correctors. Reducer Lens .7x - EdgeHD 1400 Learn More. Explore Scientific Keys to the Universe Sale. Brightness, color, and contrast were subtly different, but could be as much the day they were coated as any real difference in the two brands. This superb fully multi-coated multi-element focal reducer takes advantage of the latest computer aided design techniques to achieve the highest standards of performance set by the brand leaders at a fraction of the cost. Some refractors such the TeleVue Nagler-Petzval (NP), the Takahashi "FSQ", and the William Optics Redcat/WhiteCat 51 have inherently flat fields because of internal optical elements. There may have been an almost imperceptible difference, but the Antares and Celestron were producing precisely the same reduction. Is that distance D= Fo-d1=Fo-(d2/MR)? There is a way to make subjective data more useful and that way is proper blind, or better still. First, let's have a look at some key optical parameters are needed to understand focal reducers. Performance wise what differences might there be using the reducer on a smaller scope. The female end attaches to the rear cell of the telescope. 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. I even lost track of which reducer I was using. Will not focus with the stuff I have. Both exhibited consistent reduction, identical field flattening, and edge correction properties, and both were high quality optically and mechanically. As another example,GSO makes focal reducers for their line of Ritchey-Chretien imaging telescopes. This also resulted in the clear aperture of the Antares being about 39-39.5mm, versus the Celestrons 41mm. The Antares f6.3 focal reducer screws directly to the visual-back thread of all popular SCTs and converts f10 instruments to f6.3. Meade and Celestron both sell such SCT-T adapters with the correct optical length. - thanks. Copyright 2003-2022 Agena AstroProducts. I have the Antares and have no complaints. This focal reducer is made to attach to the rear cell of Schmidt-Cassegrain or Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes. Now It only focuses near things, like some kind of macro zoom. Besides observing from his heavily light polluted backyard in Los Angeles, Manish enjoys conducting astronomy outreach programs in local schools. The stars at the edge could be worse or better. Most focal reducers are designed to operate optimally at the working distance in the optical path to achieve their specified reduction factor, which is usually between 0.5x and 0.8x. The most commonly available focal reducers for SCTs are the f/6.3 reducers from Celestron and a similar f/6.3 focal reducer from Meade. Take control of your telescope! Most Feather Touch focusers cost between $300-$350. Because I have not heard any complaints about the made in China R/C. Reducer Lens .7x - EdgeHD 1100. This was most noticeable on the eyepiece end of the RC, where the metal rim surrounding the lens was about 1mm thicker than on the Celestron. The reducer features fully coated optics in an anodized aluminum filter ring with an ergonomic rubber grip. Some faster refractors with a focal ratio of f/6, for example, only require field flatteners and not focal reducers. These reducers can also be used for visual observing with SCT scopes with eyepieces with a field stop as large as 24-27mm. Today, our world-class team of optical and electronic engineers continues to push the boundaries of technology. Celestron or Antares f/6.3 focal reducer for SCT? To test this, I used three set-ups: 1. Given the results of Test #1, I wanted to see if there was any truth to this assumption. Please Log in to save it permanently. Meade once made an f/3.3 focal reducer for SCT scopes. I have had the Japan unit on the back of my C5 since 1994 or thereabouts. Assuming you use the reducer with the stock 1.25" diagonal, it will operate at f/6.3. But I am rusty, can you condense a bit for me please? If you place your camera at a different working distance, you will get a different reduction factor and perhaps unwanted distortion in the image. 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. EclipSmart solar products feature Solar Safe filter technology providing the ultimate protection from harmful solar radiation, including both IR and UV light, and filters 99.999% of visible light. I was referring to the C6 to answer you specifically. What I do know is that the Antares and the Celestron samples that I have perform exactly the same from the center right out to the edges. You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. Reducer Lens .7x - EdgeHD 800 Learn More. Description. The more focal reduction, the further inward the focal plane will be. This means that there must be sufficient travel on the telescope focuser to make up for this. For these items, please contact us to obtain a shipping quote before you check out using the online shopping cart.International Customers:Free shipping does not apply to international orders. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. Sign up for a new account in our community. The Reduction Factor and the Amount of Reduction are inversely related. Hello! Turn it on and push Align. In about three minutes, youre ready to observe! 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. Thank you so much for the informative article, I now understand better how to integrate my reducer into my system to get better performance. If it's positioned further from the eyepiece or camera and closer to the telescope objective, the reduction factor increases. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. SKU: CEL-94245. Images made with my ZWO 533 camera testing both show them to be essentially the same. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Fastar Technology allows imagers the option of drastically increasing the speed and sensitivity of their Celestron optical tube, allowing bright, detailed images with short exposures. That includes, for example, a 1.25" eyepiece with an apparent field of view of 68 and a focal length of 24mm (eg. Using these numbers in equation 4 in the Appendix, below, we can easily calculate that the focal length of this unit is approximately103mm (it will be 103mm plus the small amount by which the rear lens surface of the reducer is recessed beneath the reducer housing). 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. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use. The telescope side of the barrel is often threaded with an M48 x 0.75 thread for standard 2" astronomy filters. CPWI has an extensive object database, employs PointXP mount modeling, and more. Powered by Invision Community. You may need spacers or a T-adapter to ensure the correcting working distance. The price for an item/offer must be listed and valid at the time of match. A reducer is a set of converging (or positive) lenses that cause the light from a telescope objective to converge at a steeper angle to the focal plane as if it were coming from an objective with a faster (lower) focal ratio and a shorter focal length. F6.3 Focal reducer for F/10 or higher telescopes, 43mm aperture, 4-Element, Fully Multicoated. In this case, an additional T-adapter (with an optical length of 50mm) is needed to get the spacing correct for a DSLR or other camera with a 55mm back focus. Right off the bat, I was struck by how similar the two R/Cs were. 2023 OPT Telescopes. A f/10 focal ratio now achieves a f/6.3, while an f/11 focal ratio now achieves a f/7. The two samples I have PERFORM IDENTICALLY. Celestrons FREE planetarium app is an astronomy suite that redefines how you experience the night sky. The working distance (backfocus) of the Celestron f/6.3 reducer is specified to be 105mm from the base of the male SCT thread on the camera side. In every configuration, there were essentially parfocal, requiring only a tiny fine focus adjustment when changing correctors. Add a 0.63x reducer, and the brightness of extended objects increases by (1/0.63)2 = 2.5. I've heard and read all kinds of things about the Antares being only a reducer and not a corrector, etc. Reducer - Corrector Celestron Solar Safe filter technology is GUARANTEED SAFE for direct solar observation and has been independently tested by SAI Global Assurance Services. I'd favor the Japanese Celestron version over the others that are commercially available. I doubt there is any difference between the Antares and the Celestron except price. I had a Celestron, Antares and Hirsch for awhile and compared them over about a year. Celestron is considered better in terms of QA, less likely to come with free dust, hair or fingerprint. This fully multi-coated lens provides maximum light transmission with near full-field illumination. Theres a long-running debate in these forums and even statements from some reputable dealers that the Antares is just a reducer (even though it is labeled Reducer/Corrector), whereas the Celestron is a true R/C, which flattens the SCTs naturally curved field and provides some edge correction. But the diameter of the image circle decreases by a factor of 0.63 to about 24mm. This innovative software solves the time-consuming problem of trying to pinpoint the North Celestial Pole. Your wishlist has been temporarily saved. control and Sky Viewer display makes selecting your target easy. Yet, the Antares still easily and fully threaded without any hitches. Better images are also obtained when using these focal reducers at a reduction factor of 0.5x 0.8x, approximately. Is there likely to be any differences in performance between using these on an 8 or something smaller like my 6SE? The EdgeHD .7x Focal Reducer Lens makes your EdgeHD 1100 one full F-Stop faster than f/10, reducing your exposure time by half to capture the same brightness of object . This is the distance at which the reducer must be placed in front of the eyepiece or camera focal plane in order to operate at the design reduction factor. An f/6.3 reducer is designed to reduce the focal ratio of an f/10 SCT to f/6.3. October 11, 2010 in Discussions - Scopes / Whole setups. For Ritchey-Chretien telescopes such as those manufactured by GSO, there are also dedicated focal reducers with a reduction factor of 0.7x to 0.8x. Best evidence would by obtained by using a camera and evaluating the image both by eye and with a computer analysis. If used before or beyond the working distance, unwanted image distortion may result, especially when using cameras with larger sensors. When the camera sensor is placed at this distance, the reduction factor of these reducers is 0.75x. One focal reducer will not achieve optimum results with all types of telescopes, so there is no universal' focal reducer. The reduction factor MR can also be written in terms of d2 as: When the focal reducer is placed at the working distance, D, that is when d2=D, then the reduction factor MR is equal to the design reduction factor MRD: Equations (6) and (7) imply these important considerations: Most manufacturers do not publish the focal length of their focal reducers, so it is not usually possible to calculate the working distance and design reduction factor. Perfect for the serious student, professional scientist and discriminating hobbyist. Many focal reducers are meant to be used within a few millimeters of the specified working distance to achieve the best possible image results. Watch this before you buy Celestron 8SE SCT, or a Focal Reducer or a Hyperstar 7,758 views Mar 28, 2018 145 Dislike Share Ray's Astrophotography 42.3K subscribers Note: I am not paid or. CPWI has an extensive object database, employs PointXP mount modeling, and more. A focal reducer does just the opposite of a Barlow lens or focal extender. More important, its clear that the Antares is a reducer/corrector, just like the Celestron and not merely a reducer. With this telescope and this focal reducer, it does not help to move to a 2" eyepiece and a 2" diagonal as the visual view will be akin to looking through a porthole within the larger apparent field of view of the eyepiece. Depending on the design of the telescope, they may require separate focal reducers if they require focal reducers at all. Planetarium software package which provides easy-to-understand explanations and impressive visuals of all kinds. No results, please adjust your filters. By Brian Ventrudo is a writer, scientist, and astronomy educator. These 0.63x focal reducers were originally designed to optimize for an image circle to match 36mm x 24mm film or its digital equivalent for astrophotography. Orders placed over the weekend will be shipped on the following Monday. A longer effective focal length leads to higher magnification with a given eyepiece for visual observers. We will be glad to help. Michael 1 ronin Members Ive owned Celestron, Meade, and Antares models over the years at least a couple of each. Figure 1 shows the relationship between the focal reduction factor MR and the position of the reducer in the optical path. No experience with the Antares reducers, but I haven't personally seen a difference between Celestron and my current pair of made in Japan Meade reducers. From the SkyProdigy, a telescope so smart it can align itself, to our high-performance EdgeHD optical system, weve revolutionized the hobby of astronomy for beginners and advanced amateurs alike. This focal reducer from Celestron reduces the effective focal length by 0.63X Enjoy the wider field of view & faster exposure times at f/6.3 with f/10 telescopes f/11 telescopes, such as the C14 will perform at f/7 The Celestron f/6.3 Reducer has four fully-multicoated elements Reduce your exposure times by a factor of 3!