antares vs celestron focal reducer

I have both the Antares and the Celestron reducers. The f/6.3 reducer is operating at f/5-f/5.5 with a 2" diagonal, depending on the back focus length of the diagonal. The most significant mechanical variation, however, is the quality and precision of the threading. If you want to use them for visual - try maybe long focal length eyepieces rather than the reducer. Reducer Lens .7x - EdgeHD 1400 Learn More. Start here to find the perfect telescope for you! Refractors, or SCTs with external focusers, may not have sufficient in-travel to reach focus in some configurations. The reducer features fully coated optics in an anodized aluminum filter ring with an ergonomic rubber grip. Optically, it consists of a four-element lens that is fully multi-coated for high contrast and resolution. Equation (4) shows the relationship between the distance d2 and the reduction factor MR. Your price: $579.00. Brightness, color, and contrast were subtly different, but could be as much the day they were coated as any real difference in the two brands. Celestron's EdgeHD reducers feature a custom 5 element optical design engineered to maintain the flat-field performance of our award-winning EdgeHD optical system. As a result, the smaller tube may cut into the light cone and effectively reduce the working aperture of the telescope. There are many different types of focal reducers and they all effect. EclipSmart solar products feature Solar Safe filter technology providing the ultimate protection from harmful solar radiation, including both IR and UV light, and filters 99.999% of visible light. Blue Fireball M42 T/T2 Thread Camera Adapter for Prime Focus Photography - 2" # P-06, Celestron T-Ring for Canon EOS Camera # 93419, GSO 2" Crayford Focuser for SCTs - Dual Speed, Length of male SCT thread = 5mm (0.2") but this is preceded by an unthreaded part on the eyepiece side making the total length = 8.8mm (0.35"), Length of female SCT thread = 7.5mm (0.3"). I only have the Celestron f/6.3. This is especially true when these reducers are used with cameras with smaller sensors with a dimension of about 1/4 to 1/3 the diameter of the reducer, and with telescopes with a focal ratio of f/7 or larger. I think that the FRs made in Japan in the day may have been better. For visual use, this means you get lower power with the same eyepiece and a wider field of view. Things change but when I rebought I got an Antares and it seems about the same to me. They usually have a 2" barrel that slides into the telescope focuser. There will be no shipments on 3/1/2023, 3/2/2023, or 3/3/2023 (March 1st - March 3rd, 2023). Sign up for our newsletter to get exclusive deals, observing tips, and new product announcements. Please re-enable javascript to access full functionality. They are designed (assuming you are referring to the f/6.3 version) for the f/10 light cone. Stars had a tiny bit more sparkle and pop. Many reducers, such as the Celestron HD focal reducer mentioned above, and many focal reducers for apochromatic refractors, are meant to be used within a few millimeters (or less) of the specified working distance to achieve the best possible image results. Just one question. Copyright 2003-2022 Agena AstroProducts. However, even though the imprint on the item states "Reducer / Corrector" please note that his is a reducer only. Unlike . Product Details Antares' f/6.3 focal reducer provides a faster f/6.3 system for imaging or visual use when used with an f/10 SCT or other compatible telescopes. Today, our world-class team of optical and electronic engineers continues to push the boundaries of technology. We will be glad to help. Using this same example of an 8" SCT and a 0.63x reducer, a visual observer can also enjoy brighter images and a wider field of view. Keep in mind that these differences were very subtle, and could be due to normal variations in coatings among different runs, and not necessarily unique to the brands. Field stop diameters are one of the specified specs of eyepieces. At least these two units I tested make the answer - whatever. Can you tell me about the use of reducers in Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes? Because I have not heard any complaints about the made in China R/C. Place the plastic covers on the lens when not in use to reduce the dust collection. In every configuration, there were essentially parfocal, requiring only a tiny fine focus adjustment when changing correctors. However, the China 6.3 R/C has noticeable internal reflections that I haven't figured out yet. At a significantly lower price point, the Antares is a steal, and theres no need to upgrade to the Celestron if you already have one. This is very impressive performance given how hard this problem is to mitigate in general. Antares or Celestron? However, some focal reducers can be used over a wider range of working distances, especially those with simpler optical design, and especially when used with cameras with smaller sensors. For this test, I used a single configuration R/C, Click-lock, and 1.25 diagonal with the adapter. Newtonian reflectors will seldom be able to accommodate the in-focus travel demanded by focal reducers. The nominal design reduction factor of these reducers is typically 0.5x. However, I noticed immediately that the Antares had a bit more of an heft to it, giving it a solid feel the Celestron didnt possess. Several functions may not work. For me the Antares was a little brighter and had the least scatter by a bit so the better coatings won. Never used one, but read the reviews here that suggest a coating problem. From the SkyProdigy, a telescope so smart it can align itself, to our high-performance EdgeHD optical system, weve revolutionized the hobby of astronomy for beginners and advanced amateurs alike. ), but stars seemed a bit tighter and their colors were richer and more dramatic. Clearly cost is a big factor for satisfied users. As per the OP I still can't see any reason to buy the Celestron for significantly more $$$. This "speeds up" the optical train by reducing the focal length and magnification of the scope, requiring less time to integrate the same signal. Thanks for the extremely valuable article. Focal reducers for many SCTs and their flat-field equivalents usually have a back-focus distance of 105mm. This is the simplest way to attach your ASI121 to your telescope. A focal reducer does just the opposite of a Barlow lens or focal extender. For example, an 8" SCT without a focal reducer has an illuminated field of 38mm at 50% fall-off. Most reducers have a design reduction factor, MRD, that assumes the reducer is placed at a specific working distance, D, from the back surface of the focal reducer itself. Thanks. A few large telescopes and mounts are excluded from this free shipping offer. Since the focal length of the reducer, FR, is fixed, as d2 increases then MR decreases. Housings, threads, reduction, correction, blah, blah, blah. Due to the design, the Reducer/Corrector lens does diminish a small amount of field curvature common to all Schmidt Cassegrain telescopes but does not eliminate it. They are reported as identical. More important, its clear that the Antares is a reducer/corrector, just like the Celestron and not merely a reducer. In these equations: The combined focal length of the objective and focal reducer is given by Equation 1: For example, when d1=0, that is, the focal reducer is at the focal plane of the objective, Fcomb=Fo, so the focal reducer has no effect. Fumbling around in the dark, fine threads might be a problem. However, this also came at a cost, as the sky background in the Antares was slightly brighter. If used with other f/ratios, the field flattening characteristic may be unpredictable. Have always disliked the crude, noisy SCT threads, but I get it. I would not use the reducer with a 2" diagonal or eyepiece in the C6. The two samples I have PERFORM IDENTICALLY. If you place your camera at a different working distance, you will get a different reduction factor and perhaps unwanted distortion in the image. Celestrons aplanatic EdgeHD optics revolutionized astroimaging. Unleash the full pointing accuracy of your Celestron computerized telescope with a specialized telescope control software suite. The same illumination you have at the edge of a 27mm field, the C8 has at the edge of a 38mm field. InternetSales@optcorp.com, 800-483-6287 I have a Raspberry HQ camera, a Sony TV Zoom 12.5-75mm f1.8 and a Astromania 1,25" 0.5x focal reducer. Increase that distance, and greater reduction results and visa versa. I have a made in Japan 6.3 R/C and a made in China 6.3 R/C. If you are using a camera that has a back focus of less than 55mm, additional spacer rings will be required between the reducer and the camera. Learn more about extra solar planets imagery, 3D Star rendering, observation planning, telescope control, multiple-panel printing, and much more. Does anyone know if the Antares 4000 focal reducer is as good as the Celestron focal reducer. Scope size might influence choice as well, as a C6 might benefit from the Antares' transparency, while larger scopes might benefit from the Celestron's higher contrast. This filter threads on to the rear cell of your Celestron or Meade SCT telescope. The Reduction Factor and the Amount of Reduction are inversely related. CEL-94245. For example, with a 0.8x focal reducer, a telescope with a focal length of 800mm will operate at 800 x 0.8 = 640mm when the reducer is placed at the working distance specified by the manufacturer. Go behind the scenes with Celestrons product development team and learn more about our award-winning and patented innovations. Benefits limited to hardware and conditions? No retailers currently carry this product. It seems right to put some distance between the camera and the focal reducer, right? Please let us know what topics you are interested in. No idea what the issue is. Nowadays I tend to use the Celestron more with my refractors for imaging and viewing. The Antares is supposed to be pretty comparable. The equations in the Appendix show how this all works. Is that distance D= Fo-d1=Fo-(d2/MR)? Celestrons award-winning Nature DX binocular gets a major upgrade with the addition of ED objective lenses. We will match any online price that we confirm as valid. The Buyer's Guide To Eyepieces at the top of the Eyepieces forum has a column for this spec. Product Details. Start Chat Does anyone know if the Antares 4000 focal reducer is as good as the Celestron focal reducer. Another factor to consider: focal reducers also increase the angle at which light approaches the focal plane. I am a purely visual observer, so will evaluate for visual use only. But in the end they both do pretty much the same thing and it sounds like any performance difference is subtle. In such cases, we will be happy to take the item back as per our standard return terms. Figure 2 shows the effective of a focal reducer on the light from a telescope objective. F6.3 Focal reducer for F/10 or higher telescopes, 43mm aperture, 4-Element, Fully Multicoated. However, because the field curvatures in refractors and SCTs vary a lot, I would predict unpredictable effects inre: field curvature. if the illuminated field is 27mm wide without the reducer, it will be 27 x 0.63 = 17mm with it in place. But the diameter of the image circle decreases by a factor of 0.63 to about 24mm. Or, when the distance of the focal reducer to the focal plane of the objective d1 equals the focal length of the focal reducer FR, the reduction factor MR = 0.5x. These 0.63x focal reducers were originally designed to optimize for an image circle to match 36mm x 24mm film or its digital equivalent for astrophotography. Your wishlist has been temporarily saved. * Not a Retail Store * 16313 Arthur StreetCerritos, CA 90703, USA. Easy solution found a very tiny dab of super lube on the threads and all was well and quiet.. Now, Celestron is using that same technology to allow star gazers to connect to the night sky and enhance their experience of the cosmos in fun and unique ways. As mentioned in Section 2.3, the reduction factor for these focal reducers can be varied by adding spacers to move the reducer further from the camera sensor or eyepiece. I've looked through one from Meade and first impression was that it was like the Celestron version. Reducer Lens .7x - EdgeHD 800 Learn More. This is one of our best-selling items, and customers have reported that this product is at least as good as, and probably better than, other leading f/6.3 focal reducers sold on the market for a lot more. If yes, what kind of focal reducers can I use? Focal Reducer, 2", 0.7X. External Focusers for Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescopes 3.1 The Basics of SCT Threads For Ritchey-Chretien telescopes such as those manufactured by GSO, there are also dedicated focal reducers with a reduction factor of 0.7x to 0.8x. What is likely is that fatigue sets in, and also that as the targets move toward or a way from the meridian there will be changes for that reason alone. In this case, an additional T-adapter (with an optical length of 50mm) is needed to get the spacing correct for a DSLR or other camera with a 55mm back focus. This is the distance at which the reducer must be placed in front of the eyepiece or camera focal plane in order to operate at the design reduction factor. An eyepiece with a 27mm field stop yields a true field of 1.03 in the C6 at f/10. Torazz Shipping will be via the cheapest shipping method which will vary depending on the items in your order. The female end attaches to the rear cell of the telescope. That includes, for example, a 1.25" eyepiece with an apparent field of view of 68 and a focal length of 24mm (eg. Reducer Lens .7x - EdgeHD 1400 The faster f/ratio allows you to use slower film or shoot in lower light level situations and still properly expose your subject. I have had the Japan unit on the back of my C5 since 1994 or thereabouts. I've only used it a few times but it looks good to me. It is not a corrector or flattener. Orders placed over the weekend will be shipped on the following Monday. Because most modern Newtonians already have relatively fast focal ratios, these telescopes do not usually use focal reducers. The brightness, shape, and distortion of specific stars in the exact same position at the edge of the field was precisely identical in both reducers. Reducer Lens .7x - EdgeHD 1100. Very helpful, thanks a lot for this article! However I've also read that the back focal distance on the Celestron is 105mm while the Antares is 81mm so they couldn't be identical. It's usually specified in millimeters. And when used in some refractors, the field flattening is not as accurate as it is in the f/10 SCTs. . Theoretically each of these combinations all varied-length light paths should have resulted in slightly different reductions between the Celestron and Antares, since they supposedly have different focal lengths. In your opinion, is the Celestron is worth the added cost ($150 vs. $90)? This focal reducer from Celestron reduces the effective focal length by 0.63X Enjoy the wider field of view & faster exposure times at f/6.3 with f/10 telescopes f/11 telescopes, such as the C14 will perform at f/7 The Celestron f/6.3 Reducer has four fully-multicoated elements Reduce your exposure times by a factor of 3! This article explains the basics of how focal reducers work with an astronomy telescope. It might work but it does not tell us anything about how well or to what extent the product works to correct the field of an SCT. These reducers can also be used for visual observing with SCT scopes with eyepieces with a field stop as large as 24-27mm. Quite interestingly it bears the very same engravings of the Meade 4000 r/c (including "series 4000") except for "MEADE". The camera side of the focal reducer is threaded for a T-adapter with wide M48 threads, or in some cases, with smaller M42 threads. If a stronger level of focal reduction is used, say 0.5x, then the image circle may be too small to fill the sensor of larger cameras. https://www.celestron.com/products/reducer-corrector, //cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1935/4371/products/94175_reducer_corrector_01.jpg?v=1603736883, //cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1935/4371/products/94175_reducer_corrector_01_medium.jpg?v=1603736883, Popular Science by Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 5" Smartphone App-Enabled Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope, Advanced VX 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope, C9.25 Optical Tube Assembly (CGE Dovetail), Advanced VX 6" Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope, Advanced VX 700 Maksutov Cassegrain Telescope, CGX-L Equatorial 925 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope, CPC 1100 GPS (XLT) Computerized Telescope, CGX-L Equatorial 1400 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope, CGX-L Equatorial 1100 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope, CGX Equatorial 925 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope, CGX Equatorial 800 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope, CGX Equatorial 1100 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope, CGEM II 1100 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope, Advanced VX 9.25" Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope, Advanced VX 11" Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope, Not compatible with #93648 Off-Axis Guider, not compatible with #93519 2" Mirror Diagonal (discontinued), Currently not compatible due to mechanical interferences. Most manufacturers provide this specification. With both, using the same diagonal set-up, the exact same stars were visible at the very edge of the FOV. Celestron Nexstar+ 127 SLT, several budget plossl eyepieces, Celestron 8-24mm zoom EP and a 12.5mm illuminated double reticle EP, Svbony SV205 camera w/.5 focal reducer, Celestron SkyMaster 20x80 binos on a 40 yr old QuickSet PanHead tripod, Stellarium, Sharpcap and ManyCam on my laptop, SkyView and Nightshift on my phone and a dandy little $9 . Imagine having two telescopes in one a long focal length instrument for lunar and planetary work and a short focal length scope for deep sky observing and astrophotography. Unscrew that wide angle lens and put it away, then attach the ASI120 to the nose-piece that came with the camera and fit that into the eyepiece holder. Wonder how they would stack up with a Japanese 6.3. Planetarium software package which provides easy-to-understand explanations and impressive visuals of all kinds. It works fine but you should stick with 1.25 EPs; or can use 2" EPs without corrector. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. Hi - most interesting - may I ask .. the brighter guys - "if a camera sensor is too small for a n adaper, will a focal reduer allow me to get greater use from the camera? Unique focal reducer and field corrector lens accessory, Reduces the focal length and f/ ratio of your Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope by 37%, Provides a dual focal ratio instrument, without sacrificing image quality, Compatible with all Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes (see compatible list in description). The reducer fits all Meade and Celestron . My application is mostly visual now, but I'm looking to do more astrophotography over time. Besides observing from his heavily light polluted backyard in Los Angeles, Manish enjoys conducting astronomy outreach programs in local schools. Again, to my surprise, there was absolutely no difference between the Celestron and Antares on any star. Focus misses by about 1 turnof the focus knob.Here is my solution:Buy a shorter 1.25 visual back for my scope. I wonder whether, for example, Antares focal reducer for SCT belongs to the latter category. Many focal reducers for refractors have a working distance (or back focus distance) of 55mm. Now It only focuses near things, like some kind of macro zoom. It can also be used with any other small chip CCD camera having a 1.25" nosepiece, such as the Celestron NexImage, Meade DSI . Regardless, the difference was miniscule and is more than adequate on both and exceeds a 8 or 6 SCTs baffle tube diameter. I must admit, as well, that I no longer place a lot of stock in the notion that Chinese optics are inferior to Japanese or Taiwanese any longer, as manufacturing technology has really leveled the playing field today, with most Chinese optics being excellent. Specially-designed focal reducers are available for use with these telescopes. You attach the focal reducer to the rear port on a SCT and can keep it covered. control and Sky Viewer display makes selecting your target easy. That means the base of the mounting threads of the focal reducer needs to be 55mm from the camera sensor to achieve the design reduction factor, which is usually 0.8x or 0.85x. Many focal reducers are meant to be used within a few millimeters of the specified working distance to achieve the best possible image results. Easy solution found a very tiny dab of super lube on the threads and all was well and quiet. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. They never really recovered from selling a few 15 years back with element reversed.

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