VICTORY!!!! Now THIS is getting better! Here is a grayscale capture and a color capture, 13 best frames out of 80 (short video) in Autostakkert. Barlow brings the system to f22. No ROI needed since there was no "sweet spot" using the Barlow and Val's instructions. 2018-11-16_10-24-39.jpg Many thanks...

Earlier it was mentioned that I could move the position of the Glasspath further from the etalon. I thought the Glasspath simply converts the beam to straight therefore no impact to F/D. Am I incorrect? Should I move it a bit further from the etalon?

Jack

TheSkyBurner,
I never thanked you but...THANK YOU for taking the time to look up the thread counts and where to buy the "cheapo" adapter. That was very good of you.

Jack

Thank you, Val! And I did get your email and will send photos of the cell and results. I also appreciate your encouragement. The camera is 3.75x3.75 pixels. The Glasspath is 1:1.7 and I can't change that right now. I can shoot in grayscale, however, there is not as much enjoyment there for me since ...

SOLD!

Thank you for the workflow, Marty. Makes sense. In fact, you've got me going back to Autostakkert again.

Attached is the video going through one of my trials in Autostakkert this afternoon. Much improved. Room for more to be certain.

Marty, I love the progression of the raw video and the post processing. That is really helpful to gauge where I am. I am encouraged. Regarding the Glasspath...I can't wrap my brain around where to place it. It is currently sitting on top of the etalon so I cannot move it closer to the BF. However, t...

Gents, Thank you both for your input. I will fiddle with the Glasspath, but there are moments of good seeing in a video clip which indicate a sharp focus. Most of my work is live video outreach so post processing is a luxury when I have a moment using Registax. I'D LOVE some pointers on Registax as ...

I have successfully created my 152mm Stage One Mod. I purchased an ERF from Val (Aries) and I love it (anybody want to buy my Lunt 100mm ERF?). While I am pleased with the results, they are nowhere near what I am seeing others produce so I suspect there is more for me to try with your coaching OR......

I have a near perfect Lunt 100mm (4") ERF. This is used in a DIY PST (or similar) H-alpha scope modification. You may recognize this ad also on Cloudy Nights. In my case, I used it on the end of my inexpensive 100 mm donor scope and placed the PST (without its own 40 mm lens unit) in the focuser. Th...

Here is the external cell. Blocks lick it in to place. The old 100mm is riding on top. I then cut up this cell to 150mm and placed it on the third bafffle about 12 inches into the OTA (No photos). The good news is my DERF from Val should be shipped next week then I will have a superior piece of glas...

More good news! The internal mounted ERF also works well and reaches focus with and with out an ext3rnal Barlow on the camera. The Barlow is still super soft focus but the non Barlow image in the 152 is superior to the 100mm. Nothing looks like what you pros shoot but we are making great strides. Jack

Good news on the prototype. My clutter of extension tubes for the Stage 2 mod was too unwieldy for good testing so I went back to putting my Stage 1 mod into the 152mm. I used my Lunt 100mm ERF externally so I made a cardboard cell to hold the 100mm ERF and masked the 152 objective down to 100mm. I ...

SkyBurner, Thank you for the links. I'm diving into them as we speak. My 1:1.7 Glasspath did arrive today. I'll try and calculate the best spot to put the Glasspath in the nosepiece in front of the etalon. The math perplexes me a bit so I may make it a variable placement mechanism. If anybody has an...

FYI the 152mm is f6.5.

You all have inspired me once again and I have begun my 152mm Stage 2 mod. I am converting my 100mm PST Stage 1 into the new scope. I have opted to go at this piece at a time while still getting value all the while and use of the scope. I have removed the PST Black Box from the Stage 1 and created t...

Got it. And I also found the document you referred to so I should be good to go. The biggest difficulty seems to be finding an ok n-stock telecentric lens.

Jack

Thanks, Pedro. I think my only confusion is where "final focus" is. I only use a video camera (no visual). Is that at the exit of the blocking filter? Or is it measured at the sensor chip? Or somewhere in between?

Best,
Jack

Pedro, In your excellent document (http://astrosurf.com/re/PST_Stage_2_Mod ... 180911.pdf), you mention the focus must come to a point 244mm from the rear of the rubber on the etalon. Where is that on your scope? The top of the diagonal? The middle of the eyepiece? I've cobbled together a prototype ...

I heard one gent drilled out the hole in the black cover. He got another few millimeters that way.

Jack

I'm definitely leaning towards a mod. Thanks for getting me excited again.

I'd love to make my 152 swappable. I'll begin research. I appreciate all your suggestions for any rug of your preference because I learn that way.

Jack

Can I use my 152mm f6.5 achromat? I'd love a simple solution switching between day and night use and without buying a new mount to handle both day and night scopes.

Jack

Oooooh. Sounds doable. I have not kept up with SC mods. Will have to research. I have a 100mm Lunt ERF. Dont think I could use that though. Maybe could sell that.
My PST is rust free. Will there be the infamous PST Sweet Spot?

Jack

I have tremendously enjoyed my PST Stage 1 100mm I built with the help of this forum over several years. My next step could be: 1) Mod something much better 2) Buy a Meade or Lunt 3) Buy one of your fabulous mods By nature I am a tinkerer but time is limited. I do a lot of video outreach and I don't...

My ignorance is here to serve you!