Orpington Astronomical Society

Astronomy => Astrophotography => Topic started by: Fay on Mar 01, 2010, 16:56:15

Title: New Equipment - more money
Post by: Fay on Mar 01, 2010, 16:56:15
Have not been wasting my time during this 3 months of wet weather..................no I have not built an ark!!!!!

I have bought a Leitz Telyt R 180 F3.5 lens, for widefield iimaging. Thing is, it has opened up the purse again for loads more spending on attachments etc!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have got an adaptor so it fits on the Canon & have been up to SRB Griturn & arranged for an adaptor to be made for the 2" CLS filter to fit on the front of the lens & also an adaptor for the X-Nite to fit on front of lens to enable me to use the lens for normal photos by reversing the effects of the HA mod.
Although it will only be able to be used in Manual mode, not auto.

I am also having an adaptor made so the lens will fit on the Atik/ filter wheel, only just, as the lens has a short back focus.

Time will tell if all works out well. Palavar trying to sort out how to put it on the mount with lens support, as it really is quite heavy. Hopefully I am on the way to sorting it out with a Manfrotto lens support/ WO plate.

Have got the black beast set up for tonight, SW 120, will probably either cloud over before I get going, or will be beset with problems!

Title: Re: More spending
Post by: MarkS on Mar 01, 2010, 17:19:56

Wow!

I'm looking forward to images from both the black beast and the Leitz.

I'm hoping for a good clear sky tonight.

Mark
Title: Re: More spending
Post by: Mac on Mar 01, 2010, 17:24:51
Quotei have got the black beast set up for tonight
:o

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...............................................................d................................di..........................dil.............
Nope,wont go there.

Far far to easy.

The images should be interesting.
I finally got the T mount reversing ring, but the filters adapters ect are to long, cant get the focus i need.
using the H9 and the Nikon. All i can do is to use it without the filter wheel. oh well.

Title: Re: More spending
Post by: Carole on Mar 01, 2010, 17:28:26
QuoteThing is, it has opened up the purse again for loads more spending on attachments etc!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, as I am finding out already!!!

Never ending isn't it?

Look forward to the results.

Carole
Title: Re: More spending
Post by: Fay on Mar 02, 2010, 15:08:37
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2748/4401565122_f4e4087e27_o.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2697/4401564600_ba566bbf45_o.jpg)

VOILA!   Canon and lens fixed to Manfrotto lens suppoer. Just waiting a red dot finder that will fit in the Canon flash shoe.

Hope it is still on the mount when I go back out into the garden!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: More spending
Post by: Tony G on Mar 02, 2010, 16:12:54
Fay,

Is there a support under the lens where the velco strap is, or are you relying on the camera holding bolt to hold it in position.

Tony G

PS..........................In the second image, cut that tree down,.............in fact cut all trees down. :twisted:
Title: Re: More spending
Post by: Fay on Mar 02, 2010, 16:22:00
Yes there is a metal support under the lens, behind the strap

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2757/4401029979_234c866101.jpg)
Title: Re: More spending
Post by: Fay on Mar 04, 2010, 15:21:05
Update on receipt of Red Dot Finder from Pulsar Optical.

Have received adaptor & screws to fix RDF to Canon hot shoe.....but..they forgot to put the RED DOT FINDER in the package!!!    Doh!
Title: Re: New Equipment - more money
Post by: Fay on Mar 05, 2010, 13:06:04
have received RDF but bracket does not fit & will have to be cut down!
Title: Re: New Equipment - more money
Post by: Fay on Mar 05, 2010, 14:51:30
RDF to be returned...does not fit hot shoe adaptor & is the wrong RDF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Give me strength!
Title: Re: New Equipment - more money
Post by: Carole on Mar 05, 2010, 15:00:57
Did you say this was Pulsar?

Hmmmm (made a note of that!)

Carole
Title: Re: New Equipment - more money
Post by: Fay on Mar 05, 2010, 15:13:28
PULSAR OPTICAL
Title: Re: New Equipment - more money
Post by: mickw on Mar 05, 2010, 15:19:41
Pulsar Optical are cheap - nothing else good to say about them really.

The "wrong" tube rings I got sent were returned the day after receipt and I still have to wait 30 days for the refund.

Can't come to terms with "a" company trading as 3 different ones all from the same address.

And they NEVER reply to emails  :evil:

OK. rant over......................
Title: Re: New Equipment - more money
Post by: Fay on Mar 05, 2010, 15:21:21
I agree Mick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: New Equipment - more money
Post by: Carole on Mar 05, 2010, 16:06:21
Didn't you get your Pier from them Fay? 
any problems with that?

I'm just bracing myself whether I get any problems with the observatory and Pier when it arrives.  Already been sent the wrong size bolt for the pier template.  Luckily I managed to get them to send me another in time.  Have joined and been reading the POD forum, makes interesting reading some of the problems that people have installing it. 

Carole
Title: Re: New Equipment - more money
Post by: RobertM on Mar 05, 2010, 17:17:13
I ordered 2" to SCT adaptor from them recently and on arrival found it wasn't what I ordered!!! I sent it back straight away and am hoping for a prompt refund.  I must admit I wasn't impressed with being sent a poor alternative that was so different from the picture on their website.  It's just such a waste of time and will harm their business in the long run.

Title: Re: New Equipment - more money
Post by: Fay on Mar 05, 2010, 17:43:11
Well, Robert, the woman was not a bit ashamed, suggesting I ordered the wrong item, when I had gone to the code & ordered it. Have to go to post office tomorrow now. The postman noticed how many signed packages are coming to me lately, don't know what he thinks I am up to! Not aware they are plain packages!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: New Equipment - more money
Post by: Carole on Mar 05, 2010, 21:07:08
What a pain all this is, having to go to the post-office to return what they have sent you in error, and then trying to blame you, and then to add insult to injury having to wait 30 days for a refund when it's their error.

I ordered some guide rings a few months ago from First Light Optics, they didn't have the size I ordered and sent me some larger ones hoping they would work, but they were too big.  They were really apologetic and co-operative and sent me a stamped jiffy bag for their return, a refund in 3 days and offered a red light torch as compensation (which I declined as I already have one).  That's the sort of service they should be giving if they want to keep customers.  

Carole
Title: Re: New Equipment - more money
Post by: Tony G on Mar 05, 2010, 23:12:51
I suppose, who you actually encounter on any shopping experience, be it on-line, or face to face, it will leave you with a good or bad impression. When I went to Pulsar Optical's warehouse/shop near Ely with Chris, we were offered a lot of help and assistance, tried out a few items, like the bino-viewers, before purchasing, and the assistant was helpful, and wasn't just another Saturday stand-in.
With the refund policy, you'll find a few different outlets on-line do the same and will not refund you immediately.
I personally have had no problems with them, but I'm sorry to hear some of you have.  :-?

Tony G
Title: Re: New Equipment - more money
Post by: PhilB on Mar 06, 2010, 08:19:51
I had a similar experience to Tony. I picked up a 'scope from them at Ely and the service at this point was fine. However, when I tried to upgrade the firmware in the goto handset it stopped working. Judging from the e-mails (yeah, they do sometimes leak out!) that were sent from the chap at Pulsar to an associate and also copied to me, the attitude at Pulsar was "I have this idiot customer here.....". This ignored that fact that the handset was supposed to be easily upgradeable which was part of their sales pitch. Bottom line seems to be that things are great until money changes hands!
Title: Re: New Equipment - more money
Post by: Fay on Mar 06, 2010, 08:29:20
I have had mixed service from them. They have terrible reviews on the astro forums. Problem is, if you want something, there are only a handful of suppliers & sometimes you have to bite the bullet!
Title: Re: New Equipment - more money
Post by: PhilB on Mar 06, 2010, 08:35:17
Quote from: Fay on Mar 06, 2010, 08:29:20
Problem is, if you want something, there are only a handful of suppliers & sometimes you have to bite the bullet!

That, unfortunately, is all too true :cry:
Title: Re: New Equipment - more money
Post by: Fay on Mar 06, 2010, 09:45:07
Presume you will be in the garden with your new camera tonight, Phil?
Title: Re: New Equipment - more money
Post by: Mike on Mar 06, 2010, 10:18:34
Guys - Don't forget that Bern at Modern Astronomy has said that he will a) Try and get hold of just about any piece of kit you want and b) Will do his darndest to beat or at least match anyone else price.
Title: Re: New Equipment - more money
Post by: mickw on Mar 06, 2010, 12:08:01
Bern certainly helped me out and he replies to emails
Title: Re: New Equipment - more money
Post by: Carole on Mar 06, 2010, 13:27:08
Yes Bern is good, however there have been a couple of things I have been able to get cheaper elsewhere and he couldn't match the price.  But very helpful and co-operative.

Carole
Title: Re: New Equipment - more money
Post by: Fay on Mar 06, 2010, 15:44:03
The Black Beast & ED80, SW 120 Equinox Pro, can just about handle it.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2742/4410504919_ffb8b87a27_b.jpg)
Title: Re: New Equipment - more money
Post by: PhilB on Mar 06, 2010, 17:48:11
Quote from: Fay on Mar 06, 2010, 09:45:07
Presume you will be in the garden with your new camera tonight, Phil?

Oh, yes, I do hope so. If I can work out how to get images onto the forum I let you see the results.
Title: Re: New Equipment - more money
Post by: Carole on Mar 06, 2010, 18:18:29
Blimey Fay, I can see why you call it the black beast and why you couldn't carry it home from Astrofest.   

QuoteIf I can work out how to get images onto the forum
Phil there are some instructions if you go to the Astrophotography section top post.  Make sure you copy the complete URL address (you might have to scroll down a bit).  

Carole
Title: Re: New Equipment - more money
Post by: PhilB on Mar 07, 2010, 09:10:54
Thanks, Carole. As soon as I get some images from my new toy I'll give it a try. Last night was a blow out unfortunately. I don'r know about everyone else, but I had just enough time to set up the 'scope and then the clouds rolled in. By midnight I was getting bored with staring up at an orange cloud base so gave up and went in.