SolarChat!

Flushed with (relative) success re. my Lunt LS50THa,
I was wondering if it were possible to stretch things...

Or more specifically, does anyone have a functioning
Barlow method that works with the limited in-focus?

I got some sort of image with a budget Skywatcher
Barlow by detaching the front element and letting it
drop within the default eyepiece holder. But...

Anyone have a nicer solution? A standard Barlow?
A Baader (I like their eyepieces) Barlow? Teleview
PowerMate 2.5x? How far could you push things?

Try using the skywatcher barlow by unscrewing the nosepiece and screwing it to the front of the blocking filter. I reckon you'll have newtons rings with the TV 2.5x, they're not the best for solar.

Agree with Mark; the TV x2.5 Powermate is a wonderful bit of kit for planetary imaging but has a very bad reputation for creating Newton's rings when used for Ha. Not sure what camera you are using? My PG Grasshopper is totally immune to NRs (the main reason I bought it) but my DMKs and ZWOs were pretty much un-usable with the Powermate.
My 'cheapo' Skywatcher can have its from element un-screwed - I can then screw it to the nose of my camera and get good results.
I would have thought that using a Barlow would reduce the limited in-focus problem?

Thanks guys - Something to save me money is always good!
I might explore the Telecentric possibilities for other stuff...

Re. Cams, I am using a ZWO120MM. Unfortunately specifically
with the Lunt LS50THa "backend", mounting the SW Barlow
element before the diagonal just don't work...

It works fine in a conventionally focussed refractor. You can
get limited magnification by "floating" it between Lunt diag
and the cam. But, with focal length approx. (minus) 75mm
there isn't a solution! But then I stated thinking a bit...

Using 2x Barlows screwed directly onto eyepieces to give
1.5x is a useful dodge. No detailed calculation, but there
exist cheapish 5x Barlows of "standard" size! If they have
a facilty to unscrew the front element, maybe by analogy...

But I'll let you know (collectively) if this works!