Prism versus diagonal in an old f/9 ED Vixen

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Prism versus diagonal in an old f/9 ED Vixen

#1

Post by John Baars »


My old f/9 ED Vixen refractor was build in Japan in the nineties of the twentieth century. She is more than 25 years old.
IMG_1154 - kopie final small.jpg
She belongs to the ED family from before the turn of the century. Due to the scarcity of FLuorite crystal, a different, slightly less corrective ED glass was used, the focal ratio necessarily became f/9 as a result. In focus, the difference with a fluorite telescope is barely noticeable. Around a bright star like Vega, a deep dark purple glow is visible with great difficulty at peak transparency. This disappears at slightly lower transparency, shaded by the glow of the humidity in the air.
The ED variants were also called "semi-apochromats" with some derision, whatever that means.
Many Extra Low Dispersion telescopes are run as doublets, mainly for visual purposes. The use of FPL-53 glass today has more or less displaced fluorite as an ED element. The optical refraction properties of FPL-53 hardly differ from Fluorite. FPL-53 is not a crystal and therefore less subject to weathering. (Ever had crystal glasses in the dishwasher? Then you know what I mean)

Not only lenses introduce chromatic abberation. Prisms do this as well. Although many times smaller than a lens, far behind the point, but measurable. Visually visible in focus? Questionable.

Manufacturers of refractors in the last century tuned their lenses and prisms to reduce color aberration. The top brands certainly did this. When buying an older refractor, it is recommended that you check this out under the stars.

When I bought my Vixen third-hand, it came with a prism. Knowing the story above, I assumed it was fine that way. I did see a residual error, but every refractor has that. And so I didn't pay attention to it. Also, a better diagonal that I bought for the telescope, a Baader Zeiss , was also a prism for this reason.

Since I had purchased a Baader BBHS for my 120mm Apo, I thought I would be able to face the sky with optimal diagonals in my instruments.

Until yesterday, when I put my Vixen on the observation pedestal again, just for fun and inserted the BBHS mirror diagonal.

Aiming at Arcturus (first visible) and going inside to let things cool down. Then first to Izar, the beautiful double in Bootes. High magnification. Nice view. Back to Arcturus for a moment to recalibrate. And then I noticed that the diffraction ring was perhaps a little less colored than I was used to.
Vixen focus Baader Z prism.jpg
Vixen focus Baader Z prism.jpg (2.17 KiB) Viewed 1915 times
Vixen focus BBHS  mirror.jpg
Vixen focus BBHS mirror.jpg (2.14 KiB) Viewed 1915 times
A quick star test in and out confirmed my idea. The pink glow I normally saw in the center.....was gone. ??? Until I realized that for the first time in years I had a highest end quality mirror diagonal in it instead of a highest end prism.
Vixen in out Baader Z prism.jpg
Vixen in out BBHS mirror.jpg
I did burst into laughter for a moment. For years I had been observing with a prism, thinking it gave the optimal image, as intended by the manufacturer..... Now it turned out that I had been thinking for years that I was be able to see the best I could. For a check I turned to Epsilon Lyrae. The colors were more distinguishable than usual. Amazing!

Even old observers are never too old to learn!
Refractors in frequency of use : *SW Evostar 120ED F/7.5 (all round ), * Vixen 102ED F/9 (vintage), both on Vixen GPDX.
GrabnGo on Alt/AZ : *SW Startravel 102 F/5 refractor( widefield, Sun, push-to), *OMC140 Maksutov F/14.3 ( planets).
Most used Eyepieces: *Panoptic 24, *Morpheus 14, *Leica ASPH zoom, *Zeiss barlow, *Pentax XO5.
Commonly used bino's : *Jena 10X50 , * Canon 10X30 IS, *Swarovski Habicht 7X42, * Celestron 15X70, *Kasai 2.3X40
Rijswijk Public Observatory: * Astro-Physics Starfire 130 f/8, * 6 inch Newton, * C9.25, * Meade 14 inch LX600 ACF, *Lunt.
Amateur astronomer since 1970.
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Re: Prism versus diagonal in an old f/9 ED Vixen

#2

Post by Unitron48 »


Nice report, John! New to me also!! Guess you can always teach an "old dog" new tricks :)

Dave
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"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." Albert Einstein
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Re: Prism versus diagonal in an old f/9 ED Vixen

#3

Post by Lady Fraktor »


Very nice John, good that you have discovered the right diagonal to use with the lovely Vixen :)
This is why I always tell people to test before buying a prism as it may not be required.
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
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Re: Prism versus diagonal in an old f/9 ED Vixen

#4

Post by John Baars »


Lady Fraktor wrote: Sun May 22, 2022 4:29 pm Very nice John, good that you have discovered the right diagonal to use with the lovely Vixen :)
This is why I always tell people to test before buying a prism as it may not be required.
Better late than never :lol: :lol: :lol:
Refractors in frequency of use : *SW Evostar 120ED F/7.5 (all round ), * Vixen 102ED F/9 (vintage), both on Vixen GPDX.
GrabnGo on Alt/AZ : *SW Startravel 102 F/5 refractor( widefield, Sun, push-to), *OMC140 Maksutov F/14.3 ( planets).
Most used Eyepieces: *Panoptic 24, *Morpheus 14, *Leica ASPH zoom, *Zeiss barlow, *Pentax XO5.
Commonly used bino's : *Jena 10X50 , * Canon 10X30 IS, *Swarovski Habicht 7X42, * Celestron 15X70, *Kasai 2.3X40
Rijswijk Public Observatory: * Astro-Physics Starfire 130 f/8, * 6 inch Newton, * C9.25, * Meade 14 inch LX600 ACF, *Lunt.
Amateur astronomer since 1970.
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Re: Prism versus diagonal in an old f/9 ED Vixen

#5

Post by Bigzmey »


In your defense John, BBHS mirrors are a class in there own, quite different from your typical dielectric mirrors. If you compare your prism diagonal to dielectric result might be different.
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Re: Prism versus diagonal in an old f/9 ED Vixen

#6

Post by John Baars »


@Bigzmey and others. Thanks for your reactions.

Yes, BBHS mirrors are a class in there own. In this case I compared a Baader BBHS mirror with a Baader Zeiss prism. Both belonging to the highest class available for common amateurs.

I saw little or no difference in terms of scattering light around a star. In focus, there was no difference on the airy disk.
I saw a slight difference in the color of the first diffraction ring. In and out of focus the difference was more evident.
Refractors in frequency of use : *SW Evostar 120ED F/7.5 (all round ), * Vixen 102ED F/9 (vintage), both on Vixen GPDX.
GrabnGo on Alt/AZ : *SW Startravel 102 F/5 refractor( widefield, Sun, push-to), *OMC140 Maksutov F/14.3 ( planets).
Most used Eyepieces: *Panoptic 24, *Morpheus 14, *Leica ASPH zoom, *Zeiss barlow, *Pentax XO5.
Commonly used bino's : *Jena 10X50 , * Canon 10X30 IS, *Swarovski Habicht 7X42, * Celestron 15X70, *Kasai 2.3X40
Rijswijk Public Observatory: * Astro-Physics Starfire 130 f/8, * 6 inch Newton, * C9.25, * Meade 14 inch LX600 ACF, *Lunt.
Amateur astronomer since 1970.
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Re: Prism versus diagonal in an old f/9 ED Vixen

#7

Post by Lady Fraktor »


Using either diagonal I imagine the views with the Vixen are quite stunning.
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
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Re: Prism versus diagonal in an old f/9 ED Vixen

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Post by John Baars »


Lady Fraktor wrote: Tue May 24, 2022 3:24 pm Using either diagonal I imagine the views with the Vixen are quite stunning.
Definitely.
The great thing is that the tube in which the 10cm lens is mounted is as wide as my Skywatcher 120 mm tube. Inside is an overkill of 5 baffles.
That means that a series of four "dark chambers" blocks all stray and bouncing light that might interfere with the converging beam. The only stray light that comes in is from the edge of the lens.
Above that, the five baffles prevent rising warm air from coming back into the light path.
As a result, the image is disproportionately calmer than you would expect based on the lens area relative to the 120mm. After cooling, this advantage partially disappears.
Vixen has thought about this. Seems obvious to me.
Refractors in frequency of use : *SW Evostar 120ED F/7.5 (all round ), * Vixen 102ED F/9 (vintage), both on Vixen GPDX.
GrabnGo on Alt/AZ : *SW Startravel 102 F/5 refractor( widefield, Sun, push-to), *OMC140 Maksutov F/14.3 ( planets).
Most used Eyepieces: *Panoptic 24, *Morpheus 14, *Leica ASPH zoom, *Zeiss barlow, *Pentax XO5.
Commonly used bino's : *Jena 10X50 , * Canon 10X30 IS, *Swarovski Habicht 7X42, * Celestron 15X70, *Kasai 2.3X40
Rijswijk Public Observatory: * Astro-Physics Starfire 130 f/8, * 6 inch Newton, * C9.25, * Meade 14 inch LX600 ACF, *Lunt.
Amateur astronomer since 1970.
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Re: Prism versus diagonal in an old f/9 ED Vixen

#9

Post by Lady Fraktor »


My Vixen 115 has a oversized tube OD as well (125 mm), that is a interesting point about lens/ baffle arrangement as mine has blackened lens edge but only 4 baffles...
Perhaps they felt that was enough instead of 5 baffles. :Think:
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
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Re: Prism versus diagonal in an old f/9 ED Vixen

#10

Post by John Baars »


@Lady Fraktor
Perhaps they felt that was enough instead of 5 baffles.
As far as I am concerned you can count the baffled focusser tube as one as well. (corresponding to the central baffle in a Maksutov) So did I......it creates a great dark chamber. So in that case it is five after all.
baffles in Vixen (640x480).jpg
As a matter of fact I am quite curious about your Antares f/15 and all his modifications too.....
Never mind going off topic because as a Topic Starter, I am asking for it :lol:
Refractors in frequency of use : *SW Evostar 120ED F/7.5 (all round ), * Vixen 102ED F/9 (vintage), both on Vixen GPDX.
GrabnGo on Alt/AZ : *SW Startravel 102 F/5 refractor( widefield, Sun, push-to), *OMC140 Maksutov F/14.3 ( planets).
Most used Eyepieces: *Panoptic 24, *Morpheus 14, *Leica ASPH zoom, *Zeiss barlow, *Pentax XO5.
Commonly used bino's : *Jena 10X50 , * Canon 10X30 IS, *Swarovski Habicht 7X42, * Celestron 15X70, *Kasai 2.3X40
Rijswijk Public Observatory: * Astro-Physics Starfire 130 f/8, * 6 inch Newton, * C9.25, * Meade 14 inch LX600 ACF, *Lunt.
Amateur astronomer since 1970.
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Re: Prism versus diagonal in an old f/9 ED Vixen

#11

Post by Lady Fraktor »


The objective from factory was stopped down to 95 mm due to the design of the lens cell and the tube was very thin walled aluminium tubing.
So thin that a hard jolt could tear the focuser attachment bolts out of the tubing.

The previous owner made a new tube, baffles and machined a new cell that attached to the outside of the tube instead of the inside.
Technically the telescope is only 103 mm clear aperture but it is better than 95 mm :)

The original also was made 75 mm short and came with a focuser extension tube to accommodate different diagonal lengths,
the new tube was made 75 mm longer to get rid of the extension piece.
As it sits it is really a 103 mm f/15.3
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
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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