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Refractor Photo Thread (everyone loves pictures)

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2019 12:34 am
by Rainmaker
:observer: Here is a place to post some pictures of your refractors :observer:

My recent arrival (still waiting for the mounting hardware):

Takahashi FOA60Q 60mm F15 @ 900mm, claimed to be the best corrected offering form Takahashi ever, even bests the magnificent TOA & TSA lineups....
This one is fitted with my custom M47 > T2 adapter as well as the Baader 2" >T2 Clicklock visual back and the Baader T2 Maxbright diagonal
I am hoping to get it up and running by Xmas :Astronomer1:

Re: Refractor Photo Thread (everyone loves pictures)

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2019 4:06 am
by Rainmaker
and the Big Brother:

TMB-LZOS 152mm F7.9 @1200mm

Re: Refractor Photo Thread (everyone loves pictures)

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2019 6:43 pm
by John Baars
Hello Rainmaker,
Nice set of refractors.
Below three beauties in order of seniority and one of the Rijswijk Observatory.

The beauty: Vixen ED102S f/9
IMG_1154.JPG
Skywatcher Startravel 150 f/5
IMG_1205 (750x1024).jpg
Evostar doublet APO 120 f/7.5
IMG_0463 (1200x1600).jpg
Astrophysics Starfire APO 130 f6.6
New pier for Starfire on SSR.JPG

Re: Refractor Photo Thread (everyone loves pictures)

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2019 8:57 pm
by Refractordude
Rainmaker wrote: Tue Dec 10, 2019 12:34 am :observer: Here is a place to post some pictures of your refractors :observer:

My recent arrival (still waiting for the mounting hardware):

Takahashi FOA60Q 60mm F15 @ 900mm, claimed to be the best corrected offering form Takahashi ever, even bests the magnificent TOA & TSA lineups....
This one is fitted with my custom M47 > T2 adapter as well as the Baader 2" >T2 Clicklock visual back and the Baader T2 Maxbright diagonal
I am hoping to get it up and running by Xmas :Astronomer1:
That really is a nice telescope.

Re: Refractor Photo Thread (everyone loves pictures)

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2019 9:08 pm
by Refractordude
Here are some photos of my Meade LX70 120mm f8 refractor, and Zhumell 20x80 binoculars.

Re: Refractor Photo Thread (everyone loves pictures)

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2019 9:49 pm
by Rainmaker
I was wondering where the other refractors were :observer: , great pictures John and 'dude!!! :Astronomer1:

Re: Refractor Photo Thread (everyone loves pictures)

Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2019 2:03 am
by bladekeeper
Here are my present refractors:

Explore Scientific AR127 and Orion ST80 on my Twilight II mount:
IMG_0625.JPG
Celestron C6-R on my AVX:
IMG_0294 (2).JPG
Celestron Premium 80 and C80 on their original mounts/tripods:
IMG_1097.JPG
Same scopes on the Twilight II:
IMG_0321.JPG
Stellarvue SV102T on the AVX:
IMG_0594.JPG
Unitron Model 142:
IMG_0593.JPG
Explore Scientific ED80 on the AVX:
IMG_0098.jpg
Meade NG60 looking like a toothpick on the AVX:
IMG_0495.JPG
I think that is all of them...:D

Re: Refractor Photo Thread (everyone loves pictures)

Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2019 3:25 pm
by Lowjiber
I have more fracs than the law allows. However, here are two of my favorites that are tricked-out for solar imaging... a WO Z-61 (f/5.9) and a SW 100 (f/9). Both are ED glass and are equipped with UV-IR cut filters in front of the diagonals and Teleview Sol-Searchers.
Z - 61 2.jpg
SW 100 ED.JPG

Re: Refractor Photo Thread (everyone loves pictures)

Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2019 4:11 pm
by Aidi
Here’s mine..

Esprit 120
Esprit 100
Altair EQD-R Quadruplet
D3BB8DC8-73C6-463E-906A-55B0E4EE406B.jpeg
CAB78EF3-5176-49AC-AE0B-6DD7DA26BA0D.jpeg
2089D8F8-0103-43FF-AB53-07D73A1863B0.jpeg

Re: Refractor Photo Thread (everyone loves pictures)

Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 2:14 pm
by mariosi
Astro Professional Achromatic dublet 152mm f5.9 manufactured by kunming United Optics (China).
Marios
Kunming United Optics .jpg
Astro Professional .jpg

Re: Refractor Photo Thread (everyone loves pictures)

Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 2:20 pm
by UlteriorModem
Might as well add mine since I just recently went back to the APO :D

Orion 130mm APO Triplet f7

Image20200104_145907 by Tom Whit, on Flickr

Re: Refractor Photo Thread (everyone loves pictures)

Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 2:54 pm
by Thefatkitty
Well, no comparison to all of these, but this is actually my pride and joy... A 1961 Tasco 60mm :lol:

Tasco12TE.jpg


Came in the original box with the straw packing (styrofoam was invented in '41, seems it took a while to make it to telescope boxes...;) )

Tasco12TE_01.jpg


How do I know it's a 1961 model? There was paperwork from Tasco's HO in Miami inside the box that verified that, but that's another story.
I use an older 1.25 Celestron/Vixen Star diagonal and my KK's with it, and the views are great. The mount is quite solid, as well!

I do have a lot more fracs, but most of them are old with too much "homemade" going on with a lot of them; no need to embarrass myself :lol:

Great thread, thanks!

Re: Refractor Photo Thread (everyone loves pictures)

Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2020 11:27 am
by Rainmaker
My latest 'Find', bought this a few days ago......... had to drive 1300klms overnight to make sure I got it.......

Skylight AR101.15 101mm F15 by Richard Day of Skylight Telescopes, London.... Full brass tube OTA
Feathertouch FTF2535HD focuser, Televue Gibraltar mount on oak tripod...

makes a fine partner for the little Berry&Mackay c.1890 refractor on Library Stand

Re: Refractor Photo Thread (everyone loves pictures)

Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2020 11:29 am
by Rainmaker
and with these now also in my care, my wife has cut up all my credit cards....... not fair :cry:

Re: Refractor Photo Thread (everyone loves pictures)

Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2020 6:40 am
by Rainmaker
Some closeups of the Skylight AR101.15 showcasing Richard Day's beautiful craftsmanship:

Re: Refractor Photo Thread (everyone loves pictures)

Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2020 8:06 am
by Lady Fraktor
A beautiful refractor Matt!

Re: Refractor Photo Thread (everyone loves pictures)

Posted: Sun May 17, 2020 9:09 am
by Rainmaker
Lady Fraktor wrote: Thu Feb 20, 2020 8:06 am A beautiful refractor Matt!
Thanks Gabby, my wife even allows it to be set up in the lounge room !!!!

I also finished my big refractor setup today, the final item was to make a counterweight for the OTA to help balance the heavy Russian optic up front.
The counterweight near the focuser allowd the scope to move forward in the rings 2" and thus avoid any clash with the tripod legs...

Re: Refractor Photo Thread (everyone loves pictures)

Posted: Sun May 17, 2020 4:00 pm
by Lady Fraktor
That looks really good Matt.
If there is room inside the tube I like to place the counterweight internally to preserve the lines of the telescope but that is really nice.

Re: Refractor Photo Thread (everyone loves pictures)

Posted: Sun May 17, 2020 5:47 pm
by StarBru
Wow! What a fine bunch of refractors on this post! I don't have any premium fracs, but here are 3 of my 4 . The first one is my Meade Adventure Scope 80mm f/5, just like the Orion ST80, and a Meade 127mm f/9 on my latest acquisition, the Twilight ll mount, along with a Meade 60mm on what I think is a Jason EQ mount. The other photos are of the 127mm on a pier extension and the 80mm, both on the LXD-55 Go-To mount.
IMG_20200517_100735208.jpg

Re: Refractor Photo Thread (everyone loves pictures)

Posted: Sun May 17, 2020 10:10 pm
by Rainmaker
StarBru wrote: Sun May 17, 2020 5:47 pm Wow! What a fine bunch of refractors on this post! I don't have any premium fracs, but here are 3 of my 4 . .......
Bruce, That's the beauty of this hobby, it doesn't have to be from the top shelf to be enjoyable. Looks like you're well catered for as we approach planet season :observer: