Lunt 50 - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 19th November

this is the main message area for anything solar :)
Post Reply
User avatar
marktownley
Librarian
Librarian
Posts: 42269
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
Location: Brierley Hills, UK
Has thanked: 20424 times
Been thanked: 10243 times
Contact:

Lunt 50 - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 19th November

Post by marktownley »

I've had my Lunt50 for a month or so now, but, at this time of year here in the UK it's never the best for observing with the low sun and less than ideal weather. I had first light proper last weekend, but in my enthusiasm lost all logic and reasoning and as a result never really ended up with an image I was 100% happy with through continually fiddling with the pressure tuner and double stack unit. Since then i'd given it some measured thought as to setting up the scope, and was ready for whenever the sun may reappear.

The weather forecast was not great for the weekend, but around Sunday lunchtime the clouds broke up a bit giving some transient gaps so I decided to setup and see if I could capture anything. Tuning the scope with some features on the disk was really easy compared to last weekends blank sun, and as a result I decided to get some images in single stack and double stack setup. I'm quite pleased with the performance in single stack, it reveals a lot more detail than my SM40 etalon would. SS image was at prime focus with the PGR CH3.

Imageha-full-disk-SS BW by Mark Townley, on Flickr

Imageha-full-disk-SS-colour by Mark Townley, on Flickr

Double stack image was taken with a barlow which very nearly fills the frame on the CH3.

Imageha-full-disk-DS-bw by Mark Townley, on Flickr

Imageha-full-disk-DS-colour-- by Mark Townley, on Flickr

In previous threads and about the web there has been considerable discussion about the suitability of the LS50 as a scope for imaging in that people cannot reach focus. I struggled with the B600 that came with the scope, but the obvious solution was to use the Coronado BF15, this has much less optical length than the B600 and then reaching focus with a variety of configurations is possible. As an added benefit the BF15 lets through considerably more light than the B600 - I was getting 7ms DS 4ms SS with the B600, with the BF15 it is 1ms SS 3ms DS, quite a difference!

Pretty pleased with this scope, just need the sun higher in the sky!

Mark


Image
http://brierleyhillsolar.blogspot.co.uk/
Solar images, a collection of all the most up to date live solar data on the web, imaging & processing tutorials - please take a look!
User avatar
marktownley
Librarian
Librarian
Posts: 42269
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
Location: Brierley Hills, UK
Has thanked: 20424 times
Been thanked: 10243 times
Contact:

Re: Lunt 50 - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 19th November

Post by marktownley »

And the scope... You can get an idea of sky conditions :D

Image23755224_10156794159087067_6159954634514522902_n by Mark Townley, on Flickr

The disks look considerably better viewed in flickr than on here, not sure what is going on, so give them a click!


Image
http://brierleyhillsolar.blogspot.co.uk/
Solar images, a collection of all the most up to date live solar data on the web, imaging & processing tutorials - please take a look!
User avatar
Montana
Librarian
Librarian
Posts: 34559
Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2011 5:25 pm
Location: Cheshire, UK
Has thanked: 17666 times
Been thanked: 8787 times

Re: Lunt 50 - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 19th November

Post by Montana »

Some lovely berries for the blackbirds Mark :)
These are fantastic! your single stack stack is much better than my PST single stack, it gives you nearly a DS view, that is a cracking etalon! Love the pictures and glad you are sorted for your full discs again :bow :hamster:
Alexandra


User avatar
marktownley
Librarian
Librarian
Posts: 42269
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
Location: Brierley Hills, UK
Has thanked: 20424 times
Been thanked: 10243 times
Contact:

Re: Lunt 50 - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 19th November

Post by marktownley »

Thanks Alexandra. Yes, I was surprised how much detail it was pulling in SS mode. Here's a side by side of the B&W images:

Imageside-by-side by Mark Townley, on Flickr


Image
http://brierleyhillsolar.blogspot.co.uk/
Solar images, a collection of all the most up to date live solar data on the web, imaging & processing tutorials - please take a look!
User avatar
Carbon60
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 14204
Joined: Wed Mar 07, 2012 12:33 pm
Location: Lancashire, UK
Has thanked: 8415 times
Been thanked: 8161 times

Re: Lunt 50 - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 19th November

Post by Carbon60 »

Nice comparison, Mark. It does appear to be a good SS etalon in its own right, but double stacking just picks out those details that are missed in SS mode as you've shown. Interesting to see the significant difference in exposure speed with the BF15. I'll have to give this a try myself.

Stu.


H-alpha, WL and Ca II K imaging kit for various image scales.
Fluxgate Magnetometers (1s and 150s Cadence).
Radio meteor detector.
More images at http://www.flickr.com/photos/solarcarbon60/
User avatar
robert
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 3069
Joined: Fri Oct 14, 2011 1:49 pm
Location: N.W.Scotland
Has thanked: 4 times
Been thanked: 1274 times
Contact:

Re: Lunt 50 - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 19th November

Post by robert »

Really nice results
Robert
PS cloudy here!


images and animations http://tinyurl.com/h5bgoso
2024 images https://www.flickr.com/photos/69734017@ ... 0313830045
2023 images https://www.flickr.com/photos/69734017@ ... 0304905278
ED80. ED100. Celestron-150mm-PST mod. C8 edge. ES127
LS60PT-LS60F-B1200. B600-Cak. PGR-Ch3-IMX265
User avatar
marktownley
Librarian
Librarian
Posts: 42269
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
Location: Brierley Hills, UK
Has thanked: 20424 times
Been thanked: 10243 times
Contact:

Re: Lunt 50 - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 19th November

Post by marktownley »

Thanks Robert, thanks Stu. All four side by side:

Imageall-4 by Mark Townley, on Flickr


Image
http://brierleyhillsolar.blogspot.co.uk/
Solar images, a collection of all the most up to date live solar data on the web, imaging & processing tutorials - please take a look!
Derek Klepp
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 12900
Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2011 10:02 am
Been thanked: 171 times

Re: Lunt 50 - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 19th November

Post by Derek Klepp »

Thanks Mark always good to see the results with the smaller scopes which are what the majority of Solar enthusiasts find affordable.I am thinking of double stacking my 100 but turnaround times at Lunt are long for the DS unit.


User avatar
marktownley
Librarian
Librarian
Posts: 42269
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
Location: Brierley Hills, UK
Has thanked: 20424 times
Been thanked: 10243 times
Contact:

Re: Lunt 50 - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 19th November

Post by marktownley »

Cheers Derek. I think this scope used in the context for a full disk overview is a winner, whether that is for visual or imaging. I can see me getting many years of use from it.


Image
http://brierleyhillsolar.blogspot.co.uk/
Solar images, a collection of all the most up to date live solar data on the web, imaging & processing tutorials - please take a look!
User avatar
MapleRidge
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 10199
Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2012 11:58 pm
Location: Cambray, ON Canada
Has thanked: 64 times
Been thanked: 4340 times
Contact:

Re: Lunt 50 - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 19th November

Post by MapleRidge »

Hi Mark...

Great captures/processing and very sharp final images as a result :bow

Amazing how well the smaller solar scopes can perform!!!

Brian


Brian Colville

Maple Ridge Observatory
Cambray, ON Canada

Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/185395281@N08/albums

10'x15 Roll-off Roof Observatory
Takahashi EM400 Mount carrying:
C14 + Lunt 80ED
Deep Sky Work - ASI294MM Pro+EFW 7x36/Canon 60D (Ha mod), ONAG
Planetary Work - SBIG CFW10, ASI462MM

2.2m Diameter Dome
iOptron CEM70G Mount carrying:
Orion EON 130ED, f7 OTA for Day & Night Use
Ha Setup: Lunt LS80PT/LS75FHa/B1200Ha + Home Brew Lunt Double Stack/B1800Ha on the Orion OTA + Daystar Quantum
WL, G-Band & CaK Setup: Lunt Wedge & Lunt B1800CaK, Baader K-Line and Altair 2nm G-Band filter
ASI1600MM, ASI432MM, ASI294MM Pro, ASI174MM, ASI462MM
User avatar
ffellah
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 11170
Joined: Mon Oct 27, 2014 6:46 pm
Location: Westport, CT USA
Has thanked: 9144 times
Been thanked: 6025 times

Re: Lunt 50 - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 19th November

Post by ffellah »

Great images with that 50mm, Mark !

Franco


User avatar
krakatoa1883
Almost There...
Almost There...
Posts: 1041
Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2016 9:41 am
Location: Mediolanum
Has thanked: 153 times
Been thanked: 496 times

Re: Lunt 50 - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 19th November

Post by krakatoa1883 »

Very useful comparison, Mark, a remarkable difference between SS and DS.

To reach focus with my Lunt + FT focuser I replaced the eyepiece holder of the B600 with a very short one, and for CCD imaging I directly attach the camera to the diagonal through an ultra short profile T-to-C adapter.


Raf
My solar images and reports with articles on solar equipment
User avatar
eroel
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 9408
Joined: Mon Dec 19, 2011 10:45 pm
Location: México D.F.
Been thanked: 4904 times

Re: Lunt 50 - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 19th November

Post by eroel »

Mark:
Nice compare, very useful.
Regards,
Eric.


User avatar
Ibbo
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 1429
Joined: Thu Feb 13, 2014 10:13 pm
Location: North of Nottingham England
Has thanked: 2438 times
Been thanked: 1650 times

Re: Lunt 50 - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 19th November

Post by Ibbo »

The new scope looks to be doing the job.


User avatar
marktownley
Librarian
Librarian
Posts: 42269
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
Location: Brierley Hills, UK
Has thanked: 20424 times
Been thanked: 10243 times
Contact:

Re: Lunt 50 - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 19th November

Post by marktownley »

Thanks everyone, i'm pleased with the results, just wish i'd bought the scope in spring and not winter so could play around with it a bit more :D


Image
http://brierleyhillsolar.blogspot.co.uk/
Solar images, a collection of all the most up to date live solar data on the web, imaging & processing tutorials - please take a look!
User avatar
marktownley
Librarian
Librarian
Posts: 42269
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
Location: Brierley Hills, UK
Has thanked: 20424 times
Been thanked: 10243 times
Contact:

Re: Lunt 50 - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 19th November

Post by marktownley »

Just one more addition - I did the prom ring in single stack, not much to see though.

Imageprom-ring by Mark Townley, on Flickr


Image
http://brierleyhillsolar.blogspot.co.uk/
Solar images, a collection of all the most up to date live solar data on the web, imaging & processing tutorials - please take a look!
antonello
Ohhhhhh My!
Ohhhhhh My!
Posts: 86
Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2015 12:34 pm
Been thanked: 17 times

Re: Lunt 50 - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 19th November

Post by antonello »

Hello marktownley
Sorry, I have a curiosity: the Lunt 50 does have an achromatic lens or a single lens?
Thank you


User avatar
marktownley
Librarian
Librarian
Posts: 42269
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
Location: Brierley Hills, UK
Has thanked: 20424 times
Been thanked: 10243 times
Contact:

Re: Lunt 50 - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 19th November

Post by marktownley »

Hmmm, depends where you read it - a few retailers describe it as a singlet, some as a doublet. Lunt itself does not say. I unscrewed the lens cell from the OTA and it is quite deep which suggests to me a doublet.


Image
http://brierleyhillsolar.blogspot.co.uk/
Solar images, a collection of all the most up to date live solar data on the web, imaging & processing tutorials - please take a look!
antonello
Ohhhhhh My!
Ohhhhhh My!
Posts: 86
Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2015 12:34 pm
Been thanked: 17 times

Re: Lunt 50 - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 19th November

Post by antonello »

Thank you for your answer.
I asked this information why I did not read this anywhere.
My request is motivated by the fact that if it uses an achromatic lens, I do not understand why no one uses the etalon block of this instrument to mount it on a large diameter telescope, just as many did with the block of PST. I thought no one did this because it fitted an objective with a single lens ...


User avatar
marktownley
Librarian
Librarian
Posts: 42269
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
Location: Brierley Hills, UK
Has thanked: 20424 times
Been thanked: 10243 times
Contact:

Re: Lunt 50 - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 19th November

Post by marktownley »

antonello wrote: Wed Nov 22, 2017 6:50 am Thank you for your answer.
I asked this information why I did not read this anywhere.
My request is motivated by the fact that if it uses an achromatic lens, I do not understand why no one uses the etalon block of this instrument to mount it on a large diameter telescope, just as many did with the block of PST. I thought no one did this because it fitted an objective with a single lens ...
Lots of people have- check out the mods section 👍


Image
http://brierleyhillsolar.blogspot.co.uk/
Solar images, a collection of all the most up to date live solar data on the web, imaging & processing tutorials - please take a look!
User avatar
pedro
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 12256
Joined: Sun May 01, 2016 8:26 pm
Location: Portugal
Has thanked: 14 times
Been thanked: 6575 times
Contact:

Re: Lunt 50 - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 19th November

Post by pedro »

I guess the LUNT60 uses a single lens but I might be wrong


User avatar
pedro
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 12256
Joined: Sun May 01, 2016 8:26 pm
Location: Portugal
Has thanked: 14 times
Been thanked: 6575 times
Contact:

Re: Lunt 50 - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 19th November

Post by pedro »

Nice comparison Mark, DS works for your LUNT50


antonello
Ohhhhhh My!
Ohhhhhh My!
Posts: 86
Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2015 12:34 pm
Been thanked: 17 times

Re: Lunt 50 - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 19th November

Post by antonello »

marktownley wrote: Wed Nov 22, 2017 2:05 pm Lots of people have- check out the mods section 👍
You're right, I have not seen those topics recently, ... but there are only a few people, compared to the dozens and dozens of those who used the PST Etalon part ...
Now I also figured why: I thought that the etalon inside the Lunt 50 was same as Lunt 35 (35 mm in diameter), instead it is a lowercase 20 or 24 mm diameter (as PST) :(
However, if these people have achieved good results, Lun 50's objective is certainly achromatic and not a single lens.

Of course all this does not take nothing away the good quality of your images ;) ...


Post Reply