TheSkySearchers

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 ? 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

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.


Fraz.

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!

Apparently I was wrong and you will only be at f/40

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.

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 !

To avoid confusion.

Combo quark has no Barlow.

Quark likes f#30

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 .

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.

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

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

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

Keep up the good work.

Clear Skies

Yes started reading the PDF