Vixen ED81S f/8

[hatflyer]

How good is this scope for AP? Is the f/8 too slow?


Thanks.

[Lady Fraktor]

I have looked through one visually and own its big brother the 115mm.
These are designed for AP as well as visual so it should work fine.
Love Vixen refractors!

Here is the manual, it shows what extras you would need for AP
https://global.vixen.co.jp/en/vixen_cms ... be_UGE.pdf

[hatflyer]

I have looked through one visually and own its big brother the 115mm.
These are designed for AP as well as visual so it should work fine.
Love Vixen refractors!

Here is the manual, it shows what extras you would need for AP
https://global.vixen.co.jp/en/vixen_cms ... be_UGE.pdf

How's the focuser? Seems not dual speed.

Also, for AP, would I need the Vixen 7X50 finder scope with lighting system and/or Vixen Flip Mirror? Would re-sell if not.

Amazing it is just 5 pounds.

[Lady Fraktor]

The focuser is a good rack & pinion, dual speed is a add on option. At f/7.7 focus is quite easy, generally I rarely use the fine focus on mine.
The finderscope can be illuminated if required for centering a object if you require.
The flip mirror is not great but when imaging you do not use a diagonal anyways so you can use it visually.

[hatflyer]

The focuser is a good rack & pinion, dual speed is a add on option. At f/7.7 focus is quite easy, generally I rarely use the fine focus on mine.
The finderscope can be illuminated if required for centering a object if you require.
The flip mirror is not great but when imaging you do not use a diagonal anyways so you can use it visually.

Do u know what components go between the scope and my DSLR? A ring adapter, extension tube, and flattener? On the diagram it seems to show a flattener and a reducer as 2 separate components, but they can be combined, right?

I found 1 reducer. Not sure if it flattens too. I'm hoping I can find a 1.0 flattener so I can use maximum focal length. Any idea if there is 1?

Thanks.

[Lady Fraktor]

The focuser is a good rack & pinion, dual speed is a add on option. At f/7.7 focus is quite easy, generally I rarely use the fine focus on mine.
The finderscope can be illuminated if required for centering a object if you require.
The flip mirror is not great but when imaging you do not use a diagonal anyways so you can use it visually.

Do u know what components go between the scope and my DSLR? A ring adapter, extension tube, and flattener? On the diagram it seems to show a flattener and a reducer as 2 separate components, but they can be combined, right?

I found 1 reducer. Not sure if it flattens too. I'm hoping I can find a 1.0 flattener so I can use maximum focal length. Any idea if there is 1?

Thanks.

The Vixen part numbers should be in the manual, Explore Scientific is the USA distributor now so you should find the items on their website.
A flattener barely changes the focal length, really a unneeded item.
You can purchase flatteners, reducers, extenders, flat/ reduce combo.

The lowest weight is just the bare tube with no accessories at all.

[hatflyer]

The focuser is a good rack & pinion, dual speed is a add on option. At f/7.7 focus is quite easy, generally I rarely use the fine focus on mine.
The finderscope can be illuminated if required for centering a object if you require.
The flip mirror is not great but when imaging you do not use a diagonal anyways so you can use it visually.

Do u know what components go between the scope and my DSLR? A ring adapter, extension tube, and flattener? On the diagram it seems to show a flattener and a reducer as 2 separate components, but they can be combined, right?

I found 1 reducer. Not sure if it flattens too. I'm hoping I can find a 1.0 flattener so I can use maximum focal length. Any idea if there is 1?

Thanks.

The Vixen part numbers should be in the manual, Explore Scientific is the USA distributor now so you should find the items on their website.
A flattener barely changes the focal length, really a unneeded item.
You can purchase flatteners, reducers, extenders, flat/ reduce combo.

The lowest weight is just the bare tube with no accessories at all.

So if i want to image at the longest focal length, i only need a flattener, right? If i want to shoot at a reduced focal, I need both a flattener and reducer? I thought the reducer also flattened, but I guess not unless I find a special combo item.

So, I guess I need a 1.0 flattener when I don't want to reduce, and also a reducer/flattener combo to increase the speed? 2 items, but only 1 is ever used at a time on the scope.

What parameter should I look for in terms of connectivity to this scope if I use a cheaper version of reducer and flattener? Is it a diameter, thread, focal ratio? Not clear from the manual.

[Lady Fraktor]

Just the flattener and separate reducer.
The manual gives you the part numbers so you can look them up on the Vixen Japan website.
All the thread sizes and such will be listed with the part.
I have no ideas about substituting parts. I am sure you can, just match threads and sizes.

[hatflyer]

Just the flattener and separate reducer.
The manual gives you the part numbers so you can look them up on the Vixen Japan website.
All the thread sizes and such will be listed with the part.
I have no ideas about substituting parts. I am sure you can, just match threads and sizes.

I need 2 flatteners, right? 1 to use with shooting at 560mm, and 1 to use with a reducer when I shoot at f/5.2?

[Lady Fraktor]

Are you asking about the Vixen 81mm? The focal length is 625mm

1 flattener and 1 reducer


@hatflyer
This is the kit you need: https://explorescientificusa.com/produc ... ner-hd-kit

[hatflyer]

Are you asking about the Vixen 81mm? The focal length is 625mm

1 flattener and 1 reducer


@hatflyer
This is the kit you need: https://explorescientificusa.com/produc ... ner-hd-kit

Oops, yeah, meant 625mm.

So, if I want to shoot at 625, I use a flattener only. When I want to speed up, I use the flattener and reducer?

[Lady Fraktor]

That is correct

I forgot, if using a Canon EOS camera you will need this adapter as well.
https://explorescientificusa.com/produc ... -canon-eos

[hatflyer]

[/quote]

A flattener barely changes the focal length, really a unneeded item.

[/quote]

Got it, except your statement above, where u say a flattener is not needed.

[Lady Fraktor]

I was refering to you looking for a 1:1 something or other changing the focal length, that was ot needed.
The 2 links I provided are all you need to do AP with the Vixen 81mm

[hatflyer]

I was refering to you looking for a 1:1 something or other changing the focal length, that was ot needed.
The 2 links I provided are all you need to do AP with the Vixen 81mm

I think I found a solution at Teleskop. It's the "Vixen Reducer & Flattener 0.67x for ED refractors by Vixen

♦ suitable for ED 81, ED 102 and ED 115

♦reduces the focal ratio to f/5.2 "


Does that sound right? It's only 167 Euros.

[Lady Fraktor]

I believe I saw you stated you bought the telescope already?
If so is it a ED or SD? There may be differences, you will have to find out.

The Teleskop-Service one says for ED, the full kit I gave a link to is for SD.
Email TS and ask if it will work for which ever version you are getting.

If it will work you will still need spacers, extensions and camera to focuser adapters.

PS: Posting links would be helpful when asking questions.

[hatflyer]

I believe I saw you stated you bought the telescope already?
If so is it a ED or SD? There may be differences, you will have to find out.

The Teleskop-Service one says for ED, the full kit I gave a link to is for SD.
Email TS and ask if it will work for which ever version you are getting.

If it will work you will still need spacers, extensions and camera to focuser adapters.

PS: Posting links would be helpful when asking questions.

The reducer/flattener:

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/pr ... Vixen.html

I emailed TS.

It's the ED.

Is this all I need?

Vixen Reducer & Flattener 0.67x for ED
TS-Optics Optics T2 Adaptor for NIKON Cameras
Vixen adapter from M60 to T2

The manual diagram isn't clear on whether the tube and spacer ring are needed if using a combo reducer/flattener.

Actually, with this scope and dedicated reducer do I even need a flattener? Or when shooting at 625mm?

Thanks.

[JayTee]

My approach is the slow approach. I could never get enough info on the proper gear from the git-go, so I bought my ES 80mm APO with no extra gear. My thoughts were that if the FOV shows pinpoint stars all the way to the edge then I don't need a flattener. If they aren't then I go ahead and purchase an appropriate flattener. Next, do I really need a reducer? I look at the FOV of OTA vs the objects I want to image. If they don't fit, then a reducer is needed. I never buy just a reducer, it is always an FR/FF. I never want more pieces of glass in the optical train than are needed.

This is the slow approach because to go through all these decision trees takes, at a minimum, a couple of weeks. This does not take into account inventory delays and how angry the cloud gods are at the new gear!

[hatflyer]

My approach is the slow approach. I could never get enough info on the proper gear from the git-go, so I bought my ES 80mm APO with no extra gear. My thoughts were that if the FOV shows pinpoint stars all the way to the edge then I don't need a flattener. If they aren't then I go ahead and purchase an appropriate flattener. Next, do I really need a reducer? I look at the FOV of OTA vs the objects I want to image. If they don't fit, then a reducer is needed. I never buy just a reducer, it is always an FR/FF. I never want more pieces of glass in the optical train than are needed.

This is the slow approach because to go through all these decision trees takes, at a minimum, a couple of weeks. This does not take into account inventory delays and how angry the cloud gods are at the new gear!

I'm getting just the field flattener/reducer combo (almost cheaper than a flattener alone) as I know I want a reducer, then I'll see if i need a flattener alone for 625mm shooting. Seems maybe I won't need a flattener, depending on whom I ask. Not getting the whole $500 kit from Vixen.

[hatflyer]

My approach is the slow approach. I could never get enough info on the proper gear from the git-go, so I bought my ES 80mm APO with no extra gear. My thoughts were that if the FOV shows pinpoint stars all the way to the edge then I don't need a flattener. If they aren't then I go ahead and purchase an appropriate flattener. Next, do I really need a reducer? I look at the FOV of OTA vs the objects I want to image. If they don't fit, then a reducer is needed. I never buy just a reducer, it is always an FR/FF. I never want more pieces of glass in the optical train than are needed.

This is the slow approach because to go through all these decision trees takes, at a minimum, a couple of weeks. This does not take into account inventory delays and how angry the cloud gods are at the new gear!

Do u know if the Prime Focus Camera Adapter should be 1.25" or 2"?