Combo Quark and 4X Powermate ?

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Cliff
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Combo Quark and 4X Powermate ?

#1

Post by Cliff »


After a lot of reading and a Combo Quark came up used so I took the plunge and got it along with a Daystar Aperture filter for a 8"SCT

Only tried it on a Tak 76mm F7.5 and a ES80ED F6 refractor but seems a ES X2 works fine but can't find focus on the Sun with the 4X Powermate

The Powermate works fine looking at a tree and appears to only have about 13mm extra out focus compared to the 2X but on the Sun no go.

Could this be just the seeing or something else.? Too high F Ratio ?
Sun-2021-08-20-.png
I was impressed by the detail I get with a 2X focal extender but the 4X should be way better. Only had a Coronado PST previously.

Appreciate any ideas , yet to try it on a reflector style scope.

The Pic 20Aug2021 is with a ZWO174MM camera using Firecapture, Autostakkert

Cliff
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Re: Combo Quark and 4X Powermate ?

#2

Post by FRAZ »


Not having a quark my info is second hand. But it isn't going to stop me having an opinion :)

Your F Ratio is high on the SCT but it should still work. Aim for F30 but will work higher and lower. My first thought would be focus extension.

Take a look at the Solar monthly post at the top of discussions and drop your question in there too as it may pick up a user that doesn't see this. (Tillibobs monthly) I think Ben might be a good one to see this and have some ideas.


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Mentored by Keith, Mike, John and Bill. (The old guard) and forever grateful.
PST mod stage 2 - Quark on extended loan and yet to repay with value ;)
Camera- ASi 174 mono no tilt required.
BF10,15,30 straight through with baader ffc. (looking to replace the rusted IFT on 10 + 15 with a maier replacement)
Lots of nighttime scopes and stuff but focus on the sun.
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Re: Combo Quark and 4X Powermate ?

#3

Post by Lady Fraktor »


With the combined barlows (quark and powermate) you would be at f/80 so you may be overpowering what the optics can provide.
Keep trying though!
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
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Re: Combo Quark and 4X Powermate ?

#4

Post by Lady Fraktor »


Apparently I was wrong and you will only be at f/40 :)
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
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Re: Combo Quark and 4X Powermate ?

#5

Post by Lowjiber »


Lady Fraktor wrote: Sun Aug 29, 2021 3:53 am Apparently I was wrong and you will only be at f/40 :)
f/40 is "doable" with his ASI174. I often shoot at f/39 with a standard Quark.
John (Urban Astronomer) Apertura AD10 Dob; XLT 150 Dob; XLT 120EQ; Lunt Solar 60 PT/B1200; ES AR102; SW Pro 100ED; 2 SW Pro 80ED's; 90mm Eq; WO Z-61; SW 90mm Virtuso Mak; 2 Orion ST-80's; Quark-C; Cams: Polemaster, ASI120MM-S, ASI174MM & ASI174MM-C
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Re: Combo Quark and 4X Powermate ?

#6

Post by Cliff »


Thanks for all the feedback , not used the SCT as yet and wouldn't need a Powermate on it ?, this is on a 76mmx570mm refractor F7.5

I discovered a flaw in my setup once I removed the diagonal I couldn't ever get focus , seems having never used extension tubes with Powermates etc , I actually had them installed wrong, I had the Powermate first on the scope followed by the ext tubes , once I put the Powermate at the end of the long setup focus at least on a tree was easy now to try it on the Sun. Just need some decent conditions a lot of high cloud around.

Early days !
Cliff

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Scopes Meade LT6 6" ACF SCT, Tak 76DS , Tak 106ED, Vixen VMC200L
Mounts Vixen SXD2
Camera ZWO533MC, ZWO178mc, ZWO174mm, ZWO120mm-s, QHY163C, QHY163M
Access Combo Quark, ES2X, 4X PM, 5X PM
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Re: Combo Quark and 4X Powermate ?

#7

Post by FRAZ »


To avoid confusion.

Combo quark has no Barlow.

Quark likes f#30
Mentored by Keith, Mike, John and Bill. (The old guard) and forever grateful.
PST mod stage 2 - Quark on extended loan and yet to repay with value ;)
Camera- ASi 174 mono no tilt required.
BF10,15,30 straight through with baader ffc. (looking to replace the rusted IFT on 10 + 15 with a maier replacement)
Lots of nighttime scopes and stuff but focus on the sun.
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Re: Combo Quark and 4X Powermate ?

#8

Post by Cliff »


Well I got the 4X Powermate working (F30 now) with the Combo Quark yesterday Sunny at last but high cloud made the image low contrast. Could still make out the Sun spot area and quite a lot of prominence activity around the edge. At least visually looks pretty good.
A bit shaky on my Vixen manual AZ mount and light tripod I used. didn't set up the EQ mount.

One thing is the image is rather bright visually so might need a polarising or ND filter for visual .
Cliff

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Scopes Meade LT6 6" ACF SCT, Tak 76DS , Tak 106ED, Vixen VMC200L
Mounts Vixen SXD2
Camera ZWO533MC, ZWO178mc, ZWO174mm, ZWO120mm-s, QHY163C, QHY163M
Access Combo Quark, ES2X, 4X PM, 5X PM
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Re: Combo Quark and 4X Powermate ?

#9

Post by Cliff »


I have finally better results with the Combo Quark 4X Powermate and Tak 76DS Scope

Also got a white light image of the Sunspots using my 6"SCT and Baader Film.
Attachments
Sunspot Group 2860 1September 2021 in Ha
Sunspot Group 2860 1September 2021 in Ha
Prominences 1st September 2021 Ha
Prominences 1st September 2021 Ha
Sunspot Group 2860 White Light 1st September 2021
Sunspot Group 2860 White Light 1st September 2021
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Re: Combo Quark and 4X Powermate ?

#10

Post by Lowjiber »


Excellent work, Cliff! You've got that rig set up perfectly. Welcome to the crazy world of solar imaging.:)

(Now, the rest of us are in big trouble. LOL)

As the commercial says... More solar images? Yes please.

Clear Skies
John (Urban Astronomer) Apertura AD10 Dob; XLT 150 Dob; XLT 120EQ; Lunt Solar 60 PT/B1200; ES AR102; SW Pro 100ED; 2 SW Pro 80ED's; 90mm Eq; WO Z-61; SW 90mm Virtuso Mak; 2 Orion ST-80's; Quark-C; Cams: Polemaster, ASI120MM-S, ASI174MM & ASI174MM-C
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Re: Combo Quark and 4X Powermate ?

#11

Post by Cliff »


Thanks John,

Really pleasing results a big step up from my PST .

I ended up powering the Quark with my Pegasus UPB2 USB Port with my 12V lithium battery more than enough and I mount the UPB2 on the top dovetail.

Took a bit of experimentation but got there in the end. I found I can get Full disk with the ES2X and a 0.5 focal reducer at the camera on the 174MM but of course you don't get the same detail good to see whats happening all around though.
Now just need the Sun to co-operate :)

I colourised the photos and also included the Full disk from the 3rd September 2021

more proms!
Cliff
Attachments
RGB-Proms 1-9-2021
RGB-Proms 1-9-2021
RGB-Sunspot 2860
RGB-Sunspot 2860
RGB-Sunspots White Light
RGB-Sunspots White Light
RGB-2021-09-03-0234
RGB-2021-09-03-0234
RGB-2021-09-03-0235
RGB-2021-09-03-0235
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Re: Combo Quark and 4X Powermate ?

#12

Post by Lowjiber »


Very nice Cliff. I sent you a PM earlier today.

Keep up the good work.

Clear Skies
John (Urban Astronomer) Apertura AD10 Dob; XLT 150 Dob; XLT 120EQ; Lunt Solar 60 PT/B1200; ES AR102; SW Pro 100ED; 2 SW Pro 80ED's; 90mm Eq; WO Z-61; SW 90mm Virtuso Mak; 2 Orion ST-80's; Quark-C; Cams: Polemaster, ASI120MM-S, ASI174MM & ASI174MM-C
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Re: Combo Quark and 4X Powermate ?

#13

Post by Cliff »


Yes started reading the PDF
Cliff

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Scopes Meade LT6 6" ACF SCT, Tak 76DS , Tak 106ED, Vixen VMC200L
Mounts Vixen SXD2
Camera ZWO533MC, ZWO178mc, ZWO174mm, ZWO120mm-s, QHY163C, QHY163M
Access Combo Quark, ES2X, 4X PM, 5X PM
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