Barlow Recommendation
- Jordan Konisky
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Barlow Recommendation
Would appreciate a recommendation for a high quality Barlow for solar imaging. My setups include SW ED100 with Baader Astrozap film for WL and Lunt B1800 Ca-K filter, ZWO 1600MM camera, and 50mm mask (or not). I know that the Baader and TV Barlows are highly recommended. Would a 2X 1.25" Barlow lens be most appropriate? Thanks for any advice.
Jordan
Jordan
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SkyWatcher ED100 Refractor with Diamond Steeltrack Crawford Focuser
Celestron CG4 Equatorial Mount
Daystar Quark H-Alpha Chromosphere
Lunt CaK B1800 Filter Module
Lunt White Light Solar Wedge
ZWO ASI174MM, ZWOASI1600MM Cameras
SkyWatcher ED100 Refractor with Diamond Steeltrack Crawford Focuser
Celestron CG4 Equatorial Mount
Daystar Quark H-Alpha Chromosphere
Lunt CaK B1800 Filter Module
Lunt White Light Solar Wedge
ZWO ASI174MM, ZWOASI1600MM Cameras
- DeepSolar64
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Re: Barlow Recommendation
I use a Meade Coronado Cemax 2x barlow. It does great. I have no complaints about it. The manufacturer states that it's coatings are optimized for the Ha wavelength. It's a 1.25" size.
James
James
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Astro-Tech AT72EDII with Altair solar wedge
Celestron NexStar 102GT with Altair solar wedge
Losmandy AZ8 Alt/Az Mount
Sky-Watcher AZGTI Alt-Az GoTo mount
Cameras: ZWO ASI178MM, PGR Grasshopper, PGR Flea
Lunt, Coronado, TeleVue, Orion and Meade eyepieces
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Re: Barlow Recommendation
Hello Jordan
https://astronomy.tools/calculators/field_of_view/
is really the best place to see what all sorts of Barlows, Focal Reducers and cameras can do for almost all specific telescopes. Spend a few minutes trying all the variables, which will then show what can be achieved...
Much depends on what you wish to see close-up etc., or image too.
Numerous choices of cameras, etc etc...
I certainly would recommend the TeleVue Barlows as I use, although I have in the past used the Cemax Barlows on other persons scope, so all a good acquisition. Ideally, you get what you pay for, but some are perhaps more appropriate for Solar/Lunar use...
Best Wishes
Terry
https://astronomy.tools/calculators/field_of_view/
is really the best place to see what all sorts of Barlows, Focal Reducers and cameras can do for almost all specific telescopes. Spend a few minutes trying all the variables, which will then show what can be achieved...
Much depends on what you wish to see close-up etc., or image too.
Numerous choices of cameras, etc etc...
I certainly would recommend the TeleVue Barlows as I use, although I have in the past used the Cemax Barlows on other persons scope, so all a good acquisition. Ideally, you get what you pay for, but some are perhaps more appropriate for Solar/Lunar use...
Best Wishes
Terry
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Re: Barlow Recommendation
I have a Celestron 2x Barlow Ultima and a Astro Engineering AC555 magnimax 1.6x threaded Barlow and both are great
Alexandra
Alexandra
- Jordan Konisky
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Re: Barlow Recommendation
Thanks folks for your suggestions.
The Celestron Barlow ultima is no longer made, In reading reviews, I see that it is a "shorty." Are there advantages of a "shortly" vs something like a standard TeleVue 2X Barlow which some folks have recommended for a set up like mine? Just wondering.
Jordan
The Celestron Barlow ultima is no longer made, In reading reviews, I see that it is a "shorty." Are there advantages of a "shortly" vs something like a standard TeleVue 2X Barlow which some folks have recommended for a set up like mine? Just wondering.
Jordan
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SkyWatcher ED100 Refractor with Diamond Steeltrack Crawford Focuser
Celestron CG4 Equatorial Mount
Daystar Quark H-Alpha Chromosphere
Lunt CaK B1800 Filter Module
Lunt White Light Solar Wedge
ZWO ASI174MM, ZWOASI1600MM Cameras
SkyWatcher ED100 Refractor with Diamond Steeltrack Crawford Focuser
Celestron CG4 Equatorial Mount
Daystar Quark H-Alpha Chromosphere
Lunt CaK B1800 Filter Module
Lunt White Light Solar Wedge
ZWO ASI174MM, ZWOASI1600MM Cameras
- Jordan Konisky
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Re: Barlow Recommendation
Terry,
Thanks so much for sending along the calculator link. Spent some time this afternoon calculating scenarios. Tremendously useful in helping my think through combinations of parameters.
Jordan
Thanks so much for sending along the calculator link. Spent some time this afternoon calculating scenarios. Tremendously useful in helping my think through combinations of parameters.
Jordan
Jordan -
SkyWatcher ED100 Refractor with Diamond Steeltrack Crawford Focuser
Celestron CG4 Equatorial Mount
Daystar Quark H-Alpha Chromosphere
Lunt CaK B1800 Filter Module
Lunt White Light Solar Wedge
ZWO ASI174MM, ZWOASI1600MM Cameras
SkyWatcher ED100 Refractor with Diamond Steeltrack Crawford Focuser
Celestron CG4 Equatorial Mount
Daystar Quark H-Alpha Chromosphere
Lunt CaK B1800 Filter Module
Lunt White Light Solar Wedge
ZWO ASI174MM, ZWOASI1600MM Cameras
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Re: Barlow Recommendation
I use a 2x cemax and 3x skywatcher barlow, also the magnimax like Alexandra.
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!
- Jordan Konisky
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Re: Barlow Recommendation
Getting there.
So under what conditions would one choose a particular mag Barlow (say 2X vs 1.6X vs 1.3X)? Is it based on a general goal to reach, for example, f18 through a combination of telescope of, let's say, F9 scope, degree of masking, and mag of Barlow? Am I close to thinking about this issue in the right way?
Jordan
So under what conditions would one choose a particular mag Barlow (say 2X vs 1.6X vs 1.3X)? Is it based on a general goal to reach, for example, f18 through a combination of telescope of, let's say, F9 scope, degree of masking, and mag of Barlow? Am I close to thinking about this issue in the right way?
Jordan
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SkyWatcher ED100 Refractor with Diamond Steeltrack Crawford Focuser
Celestron CG4 Equatorial Mount
Daystar Quark H-Alpha Chromosphere
Lunt CaK B1800 Filter Module
Lunt White Light Solar Wedge
ZWO ASI174MM, ZWOASI1600MM Cameras
SkyWatcher ED100 Refractor with Diamond Steeltrack Crawford Focuser
Celestron CG4 Equatorial Mount
Daystar Quark H-Alpha Chromosphere
Lunt CaK B1800 Filter Module
Lunt White Light Solar Wedge
ZWO ASI174MM, ZWOASI1600MM Cameras
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Re: Barlow Recommendation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barlow_lens
explains the techi-stuff Jordan.
In brief though, Barlows magnify the image in the EP or camera. 1.3X = little magnification.. 5X = large magnification...
Terry
explains the techi-stuff Jordan.
In brief though, Barlows magnify the image in the EP or camera. 1.3X = little magnification.. 5X = large magnification...
Terry
- Jordan Konisky
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Re: Barlow Recommendation
Terry,
Thanks for your response.
I understand how a Barlow works. My question is more related to when to magnify 2x vs 1.5x in the context of matching to a particular mask aperture reduction or no mask at all when using my SW ED100 f9 telescope with either a WL or CaK Lunt 1800B diagonal module and a ZWO ASI1600mm camera. Is the goal always to get to f18 or are there other considerations?
Jordan
Thanks for your response.
I understand how a Barlow works. My question is more related to when to magnify 2x vs 1.5x in the context of matching to a particular mask aperture reduction or no mask at all when using my SW ED100 f9 telescope with either a WL or CaK Lunt 1800B diagonal module and a ZWO ASI1600mm camera. Is the goal always to get to f18 or are there other considerations?
Jordan
Jordan -
SkyWatcher ED100 Refractor with Diamond Steeltrack Crawford Focuser
Celestron CG4 Equatorial Mount
Daystar Quark H-Alpha Chromosphere
Lunt CaK B1800 Filter Module
Lunt White Light Solar Wedge
ZWO ASI174MM, ZWOASI1600MM Cameras
SkyWatcher ED100 Refractor with Diamond Steeltrack Crawford Focuser
Celestron CG4 Equatorial Mount
Daystar Quark H-Alpha Chromosphere
Lunt CaK B1800 Filter Module
Lunt White Light Solar Wedge
ZWO ASI174MM, ZWOASI1600MM Cameras
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Re: Barlow Recommendation
It comes down to aperture and camera pixel size (sampling, arcsec/pixel) and seeing.
My rule of thumb, under good seeing the f ratio should target x4 or x5 the pixel size. Ie if you have 4 micron pixels then f16 to f20.
If the scope is an f7 scope this would mean using a x2.5 barlow.
I use the Baader Hyperion x2.25 barlow (it has a handy T thread connection) on my ED80 (f7.5) and the ASI 1600. (3.8 micron pixel)
This would give me a sampling of around 0.8 arcsec/pixel.
My rule of thumb, under good seeing the f ratio should target x4 or x5 the pixel size. Ie if you have 4 micron pixels then f16 to f20.
If the scope is an f7 scope this would mean using a x2.5 barlow.
I use the Baader Hyperion x2.25 barlow (it has a handy T thread connection) on my ED80 (f7.5) and the ASI 1600. (3.8 micron pixel)
This would give me a sampling of around 0.8 arcsec/pixel.
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https://groups.io/g/astronomicalspectroscopy
http://astronomicalspectroscopy.com
"Astronomical Spectroscopy for Amateurs" and
"Imaging Sunlight - using a digital spectroheliograph" - Springer
- Jordan Konisky
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Re: Barlow Recommendation
Thank you, Merlin. This is exactly what I was looking for. What do you do under not so good seeing conditions? And what criteria do you use to distinguish good from not so good seeing conditions.
Jordan
Jordan
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SkyWatcher ED100 Refractor with Diamond Steeltrack Crawford Focuser
Celestron CG4 Equatorial Mount
Daystar Quark H-Alpha Chromosphere
Lunt CaK B1800 Filter Module
Lunt White Light Solar Wedge
ZWO ASI174MM, ZWOASI1600MM Cameras
SkyWatcher ED100 Refractor with Diamond Steeltrack Crawford Focuser
Celestron CG4 Equatorial Mount
Daystar Quark H-Alpha Chromosphere
Lunt CaK B1800 Filter Module
Lunt White Light Solar Wedge
ZWO ASI174MM, ZWOASI1600MM Cameras
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Re: Barlow Recommendation
Jordan,
The conditions I have even with “lucky imaging “ never give the resolution you see in some of the much better submissions.
When I ‘ve tried higher ratios the results have been worse than when f20 was used.
The conditions I have even with “lucky imaging “ never give the resolution you see in some of the much better submissions.
When I ‘ve tried higher ratios the results have been worse than when f20 was used.
"Astronomical Spectroscopy - The Final Frontier" - to boldly go where few amateurs have gone before
https://groups.io/g/astronomicalspectroscopy
http://astronomicalspectroscopy.com
"Astronomical Spectroscopy for Amateurs" and
"Imaging Sunlight - using a digital spectroheliograph" - Springer
https://groups.io/g/astronomicalspectroscopy
http://astronomicalspectroscopy.com
"Astronomical Spectroscopy for Amateurs" and
"Imaging Sunlight - using a digital spectroheliograph" - Springer
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Re: Barlow Recommendation
Jordan,
I've been very happy using the TeleVue Powermates with a Lunt 100 THa. If the seeing is decent I prefer the 4x, otherwise the 2x or 2.5x. I also have the 5x but that is a bit much for the Lunt and our usual seeing. The TVs have available adapters that replace the eyepiece holder and allow the video camera to be screwed rigidly into place. They also work very well for lunar/planetary imaging.
Kevin
I've been very happy using the TeleVue Powermates with a Lunt 100 THa. If the seeing is decent I prefer the 4x, otherwise the 2x or 2.5x. I also have the 5x but that is a bit much for the Lunt and our usual seeing. The TVs have available adapters that replace the eyepiece holder and allow the video camera to be screwed rigidly into place. They also work very well for lunar/planetary imaging.
Kevin
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Re: Barlow Recommendation
Kevin
I do have 2X TV Powermate so will give it a try.
I am using SharpCap to capture from my ZWO ASI1600 and at full view (no ROI) am able to capture as 16 bit mono Ser files at about 5.0 FPS with no dropped frames. Can get a bit higher FPS when I capture as AVI files. These rates seem slow to me, but I am not sure what I should expect. Going to ROI enhances the frame rate as it should. Just wondering what rate you are getting with your own ZWO 1600 and, thus, how many frames do you usually collect for WL and CaK imaging.
I would welcome comments from others of you on this thread. I am being helped tremendously and captured my first CaK images a few days ago. Need improvement in the processing before posting on SCF.
Jordan
I do have 2X TV Powermate so will give it a try.
I am using SharpCap to capture from my ZWO ASI1600 and at full view (no ROI) am able to capture as 16 bit mono Ser files at about 5.0 FPS with no dropped frames. Can get a bit higher FPS when I capture as AVI files. These rates seem slow to me, but I am not sure what I should expect. Going to ROI enhances the frame rate as it should. Just wondering what rate you are getting with your own ZWO 1600 and, thus, how many frames do you usually collect for WL and CaK imaging.
I would welcome comments from others of you on this thread. I am being helped tremendously and captured my first CaK images a few days ago. Need improvement in the processing before posting on SCF.
Jordan
Jordan -
SkyWatcher ED100 Refractor with Diamond Steeltrack Crawford Focuser
Celestron CG4 Equatorial Mount
Daystar Quark H-Alpha Chromosphere
Lunt CaK B1800 Filter Module
Lunt White Light Solar Wedge
ZWO ASI174MM, ZWOASI1600MM Cameras
SkyWatcher ED100 Refractor with Diamond Steeltrack Crawford Focuser
Celestron CG4 Equatorial Mount
Daystar Quark H-Alpha Chromosphere
Lunt CaK B1800 Filter Module
Lunt White Light Solar Wedge
ZWO ASI174MM, ZWOASI1600MM Cameras
- Jordan Konisky
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Re: Barlow Recommendation
My previous post should have been a Dear Merlin, not a Dear Kevin. I had already responded to Kevin.
Jordan
Jordan
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SkyWatcher ED100 Refractor with Diamond Steeltrack Crawford Focuser
Celestron CG4 Equatorial Mount
Daystar Quark H-Alpha Chromosphere
Lunt CaK B1800 Filter Module
Lunt White Light Solar Wedge
ZWO ASI174MM, ZWOASI1600MM Cameras
SkyWatcher ED100 Refractor with Diamond Steeltrack Crawford Focuser
Celestron CG4 Equatorial Mount
Daystar Quark H-Alpha Chromosphere
Lunt CaK B1800 Filter Module
Lunt White Light Solar Wedge
ZWO ASI174MM, ZWOASI1600MM Cameras
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Re: Barlow Recommendation
Jordan,
With my latest CaK setup - Vixen Custom 80M (80/910 = f11.4), x2.25 Hyperion barlow (=f25.6) and the ASI 1600 using FireCapture and SER files.
At f11.4 I used an ROI of 2736 x 2612 for a full disk, fps=11
At f25, I used full frame, 4560 x 2670, fps = 6
Similar result with the WL.
Ken
With my latest CaK setup - Vixen Custom 80M (80/910 = f11.4), x2.25 Hyperion barlow (=f25.6) and the ASI 1600 using FireCapture and SER files.
At f11.4 I used an ROI of 2736 x 2612 for a full disk, fps=11
At f25, I used full frame, 4560 x 2670, fps = 6
Similar result with the WL.
Ken
"Astronomical Spectroscopy - The Final Frontier" - to boldly go where few amateurs have gone before
https://groups.io/g/astronomicalspectroscopy
http://astronomicalspectroscopy.com
"Astronomical Spectroscopy for Amateurs" and
"Imaging Sunlight - using a digital spectroheliograph" - Springer
https://groups.io/g/astronomicalspectroscopy
http://astronomicalspectroscopy.com
"Astronomical Spectroscopy for Amateurs" and
"Imaging Sunlight - using a digital spectroheliograph" - Springer
- Jordan Konisky
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Re: Barlow Recommendation
Ken
And lastly, how many frames might you capture at each of these? Do you set a time limit for capture or a number of frames to capture?
Jordan
And lastly, how many frames might you capture at each of these? Do you set a time limit for capture or a number of frames to capture?
Jordan
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SkyWatcher ED100 Refractor with Diamond Steeltrack Crawford Focuser
Celestron CG4 Equatorial Mount
Daystar Quark H-Alpha Chromosphere
Lunt CaK B1800 Filter Module
Lunt White Light Solar Wedge
ZWO ASI174MM, ZWOASI1600MM Cameras
SkyWatcher ED100 Refractor with Diamond Steeltrack Crawford Focuser
Celestron CG4 Equatorial Mount
Daystar Quark H-Alpha Chromosphere
Lunt CaK B1800 Filter Module
Lunt White Light Solar Wedge
ZWO ASI174MM, ZWOASI1600MM Cameras
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Re: Barlow Recommendation
I usually set the capture to 500 frames. This ensures that any change in seeing from the #1 frame to the #500 frame have minimal impact.
Usually 20% of the images used....but if the quality IS good then even up to 50%.
Usually 20% of the images used....but if the quality IS good then even up to 50%.
"Astronomical Spectroscopy - The Final Frontier" - to boldly go where few amateurs have gone before
https://groups.io/g/astronomicalspectroscopy
http://astronomicalspectroscopy.com
"Astronomical Spectroscopy for Amateurs" and
"Imaging Sunlight - using a digital spectroheliograph" - Springer
https://groups.io/g/astronomicalspectroscopy
http://astronomicalspectroscopy.com
"Astronomical Spectroscopy for Amateurs" and
"Imaging Sunlight - using a digital spectroheliograph" - Springer
- Jordan Konisky
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Re: Barlow Recommendation
Thank you Merlin and all of you who have participated in this thread.
Now, I just need the sun to shine so that I can put all that I have learned into practice. Stay tuned.
Jordan
Now, I just need the sun to shine so that I can put all that I have learned into practice. Stay tuned.
Jordan
Jordan -
SkyWatcher ED100 Refractor with Diamond Steeltrack Crawford Focuser
Celestron CG4 Equatorial Mount
Daystar Quark H-Alpha Chromosphere
Lunt CaK B1800 Filter Module
Lunt White Light Solar Wedge
ZWO ASI174MM, ZWOASI1600MM Cameras
SkyWatcher ED100 Refractor with Diamond Steeltrack Crawford Focuser
Celestron CG4 Equatorial Mount
Daystar Quark H-Alpha Chromosphere
Lunt CaK B1800 Filter Module
Lunt White Light Solar Wedge
ZWO ASI174MM, ZWOASI1600MM Cameras