Search found 279 matches

by Highbury Mark
Mon Jul 31, 2023 1:51 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: New Baader TZ-4S 4x telecentric
Replies: 16
Views: 1863

New Baader TZ-4S 4x telecentric

Baader has just released its new 4x telecentric for the Sundancer II. Until now the filter has come with a 3x telecentric. The new one will allow me to get to F/30 with my F/7.5 refractor, without sacrificing aperture. Though quite when I’ll get to use it in perma-cloudy London, I’m not sure…….
by Highbury Mark
Sun Apr 30, 2023 2:39 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: solarscope double stack 70mm or single stack 100mm etalon?
Replies: 3
Views: 1454

Re: solarscope double stack 70mm or single stack 100mm etalon?

I haven’t used a 100mm etalon, but I can certainly recommend the double stacked 70mm Solarscope filters. Good consistency across the fov, excellent contrast, and enough transmission to allow 140-150x with a binoviewer on very good days. They were a significant improvement on the Lunt 60DS I previous...
by Highbury Mark
Thu Apr 06, 2023 10:04 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Heads up - pre-Meade Coronado 90mm etalon for sale
Replies: 6
Views: 1512

Heads up - pre-Meade Coronado 90mm etalon for sale

These things don’t come up very often - for good reason. Owners don’t sell them. An Isle of Man Coronado 90mm etalon with BF30 blocking filter is for sale on U.K. site (ENS Optical) - £3,000. They have a good reputation as a seller of used astronomy gear, though their prices are usually high. This s...
by Highbury Mark
Sat Mar 25, 2023 1:32 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Solarmax II back on sale
Replies: 2
Views: 1095

Solarmax II back on sale

I was surprised to see new Coronado Solarmax II scopes back on sale at First Light Optics in the UK this week. The 90mm scopes are similarly priced to the newer Solarmax III equivalents, but the 60mm II versions are much cheaper than the III - presumably reflecting the difference in etalon size - in...
by Highbury Mark
Sun Dec 11, 2022 1:01 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Solarview SV60
Replies: 9
Views: 1758

Re: Solarview SV60

My experience is that Solarscope etalons normally outperform both Lunt and Coronado equivalents, though of course there is variation with each filter. My SF70DS are the best astronomy investment I’ve ever made, but I also know someone who had both Solarscope SF70DS and a double stacked Lunt 60, and ...
by Highbury Mark
Thu Sep 08, 2022 6:10 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: New Baader Herschel wedge on the way
Replies: 2
Views: 1157

Re: New Baader Herschel wedge on the way

There’s nothing to show at the moment - just a message that a replacement for the current ‘Coolwedge’ is on the way
by Highbury Mark
Thu Sep 08, 2022 2:25 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: New Baader Herschel wedge on the way
Replies: 2
Views: 1157

New Baader Herschel wedge on the way

Just seen on the Baader website that a new Herschel wedge is on the way. Stocks of the current model have run out at many stores. I remember the wait for the new Maxbright II binoviewer (and Morpheus 17.5mm eyepiece) was pretty long, so the new wedge may not be imminent, but it will be interesting t...
by Highbury Mark
Sat Jun 25, 2022 2:12 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Factory tour of Solarscope - Manx Precision Optics
Replies: 15
Views: 2104

Re: Factory tour of Solarscope - Manx Precision Optics

Wonderful report Alexandra! Very interesting to see inside the factory. And even better, your filter is back on song. We are so lucky to have Solarscope on our doorstep. Long may Helmut keep the business going.
by Highbury Mark
Tue Jun 14, 2022 10:53 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Measurement of a Quark Ha filter with Sol'Ex spectrometer
Replies: 19
Views: 2456

Re: Measurement of a Quark Ha filter with Sol'Ex spectrometer

This Quark is perhaps similar to the one (also a Chromosphere model) I bought several years ago. Nice proms, but very little surface detail even at F/40. Makes you wonder how Daystar categorises Prominence and Chromosphere Quarks. I saw some beautiful images of close-up filaments and ARs taken with ...
by Highbury Mark
Fri Jun 10, 2022 12:15 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Pentax XF 6.5-19.5 particularly for binoviewing?
Replies: 4
Views: 1287

Re: Pentax XF 6.5-19.5 particularly for binoviewing?

Best single solar Ha eyepiece on the market in my view, but even though I mostly binoview the Sun, I’ve never invested in a second XF zoom for two reasons: first, the one I own is very stiff, and trying to match the same focal length with a pair might be an issue; and second, the eyeguard/top of the...
by Highbury Mark
Sat May 28, 2022 4:32 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Meade Coronado return
Replies: 21
Views: 3491

Re: Meade Coronado return

My single stack SF70 is not particularly impressive, tbh. Great for proms, but pretty much as you’d expect on surface detail from a 0.7A filter. It would be interesting to know if the SS etalons are tuned differently if ordering just the one, instead of as part of a DS system. My presumption is they...
by Highbury Mark
Wed May 25, 2022 2:25 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Meade Coronado return
Replies: 21
Views: 3491

Re: Meade Coronado return

No - it’s fair comment. It’s only as I’ve experienced more filters that I can now look back on my first solar scope - a Lunt 50 - and realise just how un-uniform it was. Even with a pressure tuner, its sweet spot probably only covered 30% of the view. The detail within the Jacquinot spot was good en...
by Highbury Mark
Wed May 25, 2022 1:29 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Meade Coronado return
Replies: 21
Views: 3491

Re: Meade Coronado return

I think I've seen 2 or 3 Solarmax II & III series etalons, ever, that had good uniformity. Sadly. Very best, I know James on this forum is happy with his SMII 90 Marty, and it was bought for a great price, but reports of uniform filters are hard to come by. Let’s hope Orion can start to turn th...
by Highbury Mark
Tue May 24, 2022 9:15 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Meade Coronado return
Replies: 21
Views: 3491

Re: Meade Coronado return

[quote="Highbury Mark" post_id=338159 time=<a href="tel:1653404316">1653404316</a> user_id=6746] Coronado moved to external etalons when they had their design refresh a few years ago. On paper, they should deliver better views than internal etalons - but I’ve seen relatively few...
by Highbury Mark
Tue May 24, 2022 2:58 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Meade Coronado return
Replies: 21
Views: 3491

Re: Meade Coronado return

Coronado moved to external etalons when they had their design refresh a few years ago. On paper, they should deliver better views than internal etalons - but I’ve seen relatively few reports on either size of Coronado III scope since the redesign. The prices are certainly attractive next to Lunt, bu...
by Highbury Mark
Fri May 20, 2022 10:58 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Meade Coronado return
Replies: 21
Views: 3491

Meade Coronado return

Meade/Coronado products have been absent from most of the main UK retailer websites for several years, but I’ve just heard they are just about to return with the largest of those retailers, First Light Optics. Signs that Meade’s new owner Orion will soon be promoting Coronado solar products once aga...
by Highbury Mark
Tue May 10, 2022 3:12 pm
Forum: SPoD Archive
Topic: May Solar Challenge
Replies: 51
Views: 4526

Re: May Solar Challenge

Thanks for this excellent introduction to flares Alexandra. As noted elsewhere I was thrilled to see my first X-class on April 30th. One of the most awe inspiring fifteen minutes since I first looked through a telescope. Hope May delivers some more memorable flares
by Highbury Mark
Mon May 09, 2022 10:51 am
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Evostar 72mm question
Replies: 16
Views: 2968

Re: Evostar 72mm question

Agree that the Lunt 50mm is the best value external etalon out there for small scopes. The 60mm is double the price. Solarscope 70mm filters are also excellent. The factory will manufacture an adapter to fit your scope, and provide dedicated blocking filters for either single or double stack systems...
by Highbury Mark
Mon May 09, 2022 10:25 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Russian Refractors Calcium Showdown - TAL100RS vs LZOS 100/800
Replies: 21
Views: 3252

Re: Russian Refractors Calcium Showdown - TAL100RS vs LZOS 100/800

[quote="Highbury Mark" post_id=334576 time=<a href="tel:1651486583">1651486583</a> user_id=6746] I miss having a 4” scope for WL - it’s noticeable how better suited they are to UK seeing than 120mm. Nothing to miss here - you can always stop down 120mm frac to 100mm ;) [/quote] ...
by Highbury Mark
Mon May 02, 2022 5:09 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Solarscope filters SF70
Replies: 19
Views: 3311

Re: Solarscope filters SF70

Thanks Mark, I had no idea there would this amount of calibration work on those SF70 front mounted filters. Magnus I have ‘best clocking positions’ for different eyepieces through the binoviewer. For example, If I’ve been using 32mm Plossls (48x with a 2.6x GPC), and perfected the disc for on-band ...
by Highbury Mark
Mon May 02, 2022 10:16 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Russian Refractors Calcium Showdown - TAL100RS vs LZOS 100/800
Replies: 21
Views: 3252

Re: Russian Refractors Calcium Showdown - TAL100RS vs LZOS 100/800

Very interesting and informative report Mark. And congratulations on the APM/LZOS scope - a true lifetime refractor. The results just reconfirm how well figured the TALs are, and particularly suited to solar applications. But the benefits of the LZOS will be all too clear when Mars returns later thi...
by Highbury Mark
Sun May 01, 2022 6:40 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Altair 540nm
Replies: 3
Views: 1230

Re: Altair 540nm

Yet to see any evidence that the ‘double stack’ Baader filter provides any benefit over the single Continuum. Will be interested to see how the Altair performs.
by Highbury Mark
Sun May 01, 2022 3:45 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: X class flare this afternoon
Replies: 8
Views: 388

Re: X class flare this afternoon

You are so lucky!!! :hamster: I've still not seen an X class, we had cloud all afternoon :( Alexandra It was my first X class flare Alexandra after eight years of observing, and looking at the data it only just crept into X classification (X1.13), but very chuffed to have witnessed it. I hope with ...
by Highbury Mark
Sun May 01, 2022 3:22 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Solarscope filters SF70
Replies: 19
Views: 3311

Re: Solarscope filters SF70

Admittedly, with the double stack SF70, and both filters fully screwed in, I can’t get a perfect uniform image either. It requires careful tuning of both filters AND ‘clocking’ of both filters - ie unscrewing them by up to a full turn - to really bring them on band across the field of view. It took...
by Highbury Mark
Sat Apr 30, 2022 10:15 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Introduction with Lunt LS80MT and questions
Replies: 28
Views: 1671

Re: Introduction with Lunt LS80MT and questions

Hi Axel and welcome. Everyone has a favourite set up for solar observing. I’ll share what works for me. 90% of my observing is with a binoviewer. I mostly use a TV85 with Solarscope 70mm filters. Previously, I owned the WO (nice, good value), Baader MkV (expensive, very heavy, and never gave perfect...
by Highbury Mark
Sat Apr 30, 2022 7:27 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Solarscope filters SF70
Replies: 19
Views: 3311

Re: Solarscope filters SF70

I own a Solarscope SF-70 single stack since 2011, with a TeleVue 76 refractor. Just like Mark up here, I never noticed severe temperature related issues with my SF. My SF70 IMHO certainly keeps up with the Lunts, Coronados and Quarks I occasionally looked through. Moreover, I am the only one withou...
by Highbury Mark
Sat Apr 30, 2022 5:54 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: X class flare this afternoon
Replies: 8
Views: 388

X class flare this afternoon

I was fortunate to observe the X-class flare this afternoon from start to finish - as it was on the limb it was particularly spectacular. Whole event was over in 15 minutes though - by the time I’d alerted a couple of friends it was already past its peak. Hope many of you were able to capture the ac...
by Highbury Mark
Mon Apr 11, 2022 4:58 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Today's SUN (20220410) DS FD images (BIG Filament)
Replies: 15
Views: 814

Re: Today's SUN (20220410) DS FD images (BIG Filament)

A feast for the eyes! Super images Pedro.
by Highbury Mark
Mon Apr 11, 2022 4:33 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Keeping your cool
Replies: 15
Views: 582

Re: Keeping your cool

When inside and outside temperatures are level, I observe from my kitchen. 1 minute to set up, blind can be lowered to block out the glare, and, most importantly, the fridge is at arms’ length. Otherwise I just cover myself in a large silver blanket. Starting imaging this summer - the kitchen locati...
by Highbury Mark
Mon Apr 11, 2022 4:20 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: April 10th 2022 observational summary.
Replies: 8
Views: 305

Re: April 10th 2022 observational summary.

marktownley wrote: Mon Apr 11, 2022 2:55 pm Cool moonapp James. Which is it? I like that it names features.
It’s ‘Moon Globe’ Mark - neat little app.

Thanks James for all your excellent reports - I often read them even if I don’t contribute to the forum as often as I’d like.
by Highbury Mark
Tue Apr 05, 2022 9:42 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Clocked Vs Not Clocked Etalon Ha DS 2nd April
Replies: 30
Views: 1013

Re: Clocked Vs Not Clocked Etalon Ha DS 2nd April

Interesting post and thread Mark - looks like you’ve got a nice pair of etalons there. Clocking is a technique I’ve always used on my DS systems, and is absolutely necessary on my current Solarscope 70mm filters to achieve best contrast and consistency. TS in Germany sells (or certainly used to sell...
by Highbury Mark
Sun Mar 27, 2022 7:17 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Pressure Tuning Leaks on a Lunt
Replies: 5
Views: 1568

Re: Pressure Tuning Leaks on a Lunt

I’d also suspect the o-ring if the piston’s getting easier to turn and the grease doesn’t improve things. Lunt used to send out replacements for free.
by Highbury Mark
Sun Mar 27, 2022 7:13 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Saturday party time in the Sun 26th March 2022
Replies: 22
Views: 657

Re: Saturday party time in the Sun 26th March 2022

Beautiful shots Alexandra! Glad to see the Solarscope’s delivering.
by Highbury Mark
Tue Mar 15, 2022 2:00 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: "New" Quantum page
Replies: 29
Views: 4171

Re: "New" Quantum page

Has the cost of mica doubled? Doesn’t seem to be any explanation for a sudden hike of this size. Perhaps it suggests Daystar is giving up the amateur astronomy market with the Quantum range and just targeting professional institutions, which can pay such inflated prices? Make fewer, better filters ...
by Highbury Mark
Wed Mar 09, 2022 5:26 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: The Quark is here, more questions
Replies: 74
Views: 8005

Re: The Quark is here, more questions

Agree the GSO Plossls are excellent, and keep reading that the Baader 32mm is a great performer too. Much as I love the TV32mm, it’s becoming unaffordable - if you want the eyeguard extender to help with long eye relief it’s almost £175 in the UK.
by Highbury Mark
Wed Mar 09, 2022 5:15 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: "New" Quantum page
Replies: 29
Views: 4171

Re: "New" Quantum page

Has the cost of mica doubled? Doesn’t seem to be any explanation for a sudden hike of this size. Perhaps it suggests Daystar is giving up the amateur astronomy market with the Quantum range and just targeting professional institutions, which can pay such inflated prices? Make fewer, better filters w...
by Highbury Mark
Wed Mar 09, 2022 11:27 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Huge and active SE Prom Animation, 32 minutes, 7-3-2022
Replies: 34
Views: 1508

Re: Huge and active SE Prom Animation, 32 minutes, 7-3-2022

I posted in another thread that this was the fastest moving large prom I have ever seen in over 1.000 solar observing sessions since 2014, when I bought my first Ha telescope. Amazing to see plasma fall back to the surface with visible movement in real time - at powers between 100x-130x. Incredible ...
by Highbury Mark
Tue Mar 08, 2022 8:16 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Upgrade LS50 to LS60 - yay or nay?
Replies: 10
Views: 2826

Re: Upgrade LS50 to LS60 - yay or nay?

I found the DS60 a decent step up from the DS50, a clear improvement in resolution. For purely visual use, both telescopes really needed the extra etalon to get satisfying contrast on filaments and other surface features, though of course there’s great variability out there. Both were pressure tuned...
by Highbury Mark
Tue Mar 08, 2022 8:03 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: big prom's march 7 th animation
Replies: 14
Views: 490

Re: big prom's march 7 th animation

Great capture! I was fortunate enough to be working from home yesterday, and even better, we had clear skies. With decent seeing I was able to follow the events in the animation at a reasonably high magnification. It was the first time in 8 years of observing the Sun in Ha that I could clearly see l...
by Highbury Mark
Sun Mar 06, 2022 1:19 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Orion advert for Coronado PST?????
Replies: 3
Views: 1234

Re: Orion advert for Coronado PST?????

Looks like it Mark. Still badged as Meade Coronado. Product looks the same. I wondered if they might come up with a new PST to take on the Lunt 40. Maybe something they’re working on.
by Highbury Mark
Sun Mar 06, 2022 1:00 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: From Valery. Kherson, UKRAINE. NEWS
Replies: 238
Views: 15205

Re: From Valery. Kherson, UKRAINE. NEWS

The hope was that as the first city to be under Russian control, Kherson could also be the first to establish humanitarian aid for the population - praying that there’s some improvement in the days ahead for your family and those around you Valery.
by Highbury Mark
Sun Feb 27, 2022 7:38 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: How to get to F/30 with fast scope and mica etalon
Replies: 14
Views: 3499

Re: How to get to F/30 with fast scope and mica etalon

Thanks Christian and vkx86 for your excellent responses.
by Highbury Mark
Sun Feb 27, 2022 6:44 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: PST etalon as Quark contrast booster mods: Log & Result
Replies: 23
Views: 5048

Re: PST etalon as Quark contrast booster mods: Log & Result

Impressive - good job on the recontacting. Hope the results reward your endeavour.
by Highbury Mark
Fri Feb 18, 2022 5:57 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: How to get to F/30 with fast scope and mica etalon
Replies: 14
Views: 3499

Re: How to get to F/30 with fast scope and mica etalon

Hello Mark, Interesting answer of Baader to this question ;-) 1) Regarding safety : I understand why they answer this. They want to be on the safe side and do not what to get involved in any problem ;-) 2) Regarding the second part of the question relative to the divergent beam : there is some flex...
by Highbury Mark
Thu Feb 17, 2022 4:03 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: How to get to F/30 with fast scope and mica etalon
Replies: 14
Views: 3499

Re: How to get to F/30 with fast scope and mica etalon

Baader replied to my question about using an extender after the D-ERF but before the diagonal/etalon. Interestingly, they say it would not be safe, though they refer to a ‘barlow’ rather than the extender I was proposing. Here’s what they said: “we do not recommend to add a Barlow lens in front of t...
by Highbury Mark
Tue Feb 15, 2022 10:07 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: How to get to F/30 with fast scope and mica etalon
Replies: 14
Views: 3499

Re: How to get to F/30 with fast scope and mica etalon

Hi and WOW, Just saw the price of the Baader Sundancer which equals to about US $ 3,200.00 German VAT NOT included ... Same size as a Quark :shock: That must be really a tremendous piece of technics ... What if the result turns out to be a possible flop like the Quarks in hot weather like I have in...