EQUIPMENT OVERVIEW




Takahashi FSQ-106ED flatfield super quadruplet refractor
D = 106 mm (4.2") F = 530 mm (f/5)
acquired: December 2008 (second hand)

This is undoubtly one of the best 4" refractors available today. It utilises four lens elements of which two are made of extra-low dispersion (ED) glass to provide superior colour correction over a range from 400 to 1000 nm. This may be called a true apochromat. Its large photographic image circle of 88 mm (9.5º) makes it suitable voor medium format astrophotography.

Special features include a retractable dew shield, an oversized fully rotatable rack-and-pinion focuser with an 1:7 reduction microfocuser and a quick release 7x50 mm finderscope with illuminated reticle.


INTES MK-67 Maksutov-Cassegrain
D = 150 mm (6") F = 1800 mm (f/12)
acquired: April 2000 (second hand)

Russian-made Maksutov-Cassegrain with adjustable secondary mirror. Fixed primary mirror and 2" Crayford focuser. Because of the large f-number, I don't use this telescope much for astrophotography. It is primarily used as a visual instrument or as a guide scope pursuing piggyback astrofotophotography. At the image on the right, the MK-67 and a Mamiya 645 with 500 mm telephoto lens are mounted on a Losmandy GM-8 using a dual scope platform.

The MK-67 is equipped with a Telrad and a flexible dew shield by Kendrick. I am very pleased with the optical performance and mechanical craftsmanship of this telescope. It is built like a tank and produces pinpoint star images.

INTES MK-69 Maksutov-Cassegrain
D = 150 mm (6") F = 900 mm (f/6)
acquired: December 2002

This is the fast brother of the MK-67, specially designed for astrophotography. The secondary mirror (placed halfway the tube in a spider) creates an obstruction of 50%, which means poor contrast for visual use. At the image on the left, the MK-69 is on a dual scope platform with a 70/400 mm Vixen guidescope. An Olympus OM-1n is mounted piggyback on top of the telescope.

The MK-69 was my answer in the quest for a fast telescope with a relative long focal length, yet lightweight enough to fit the Losmandy GM-8.

Losmandy GM-8 equatorial mount
acquired: June 2001 (second hand)

This heavy duty, yet portable mount has become my loyal workhorse. Not seen at the picture on the right, I have replaced the aluminum tripod with a wooden tripod made by Baader-Planetarium. These tripods are known for their rigidness and short damping time, making the GM-8 even better suited for astrophotography.

For safe transport, "Custom Flightcases" in the Hague made me a solid transport case.


Mamiya M645 medium format camera
Sekor-C 80 mm f/2.8 lens
Sekor-C 210 mm f/4 lens
acquired: November 2001 (second hand)

This is the camera I use for medium format astrophotography. Both 80 and 210 mm lenses perform very well when stopped down to f/4 and f/5.6 respectively. Note the roll of Kodak Ektachrome 200 film: the number one choice for deep-sky astrophotography.

CCD-Labs Q453-HR CCD-camera (a.k.a. QHY8)
acquired: July 2008

In this 16-bit one-shot colour camera the advantages of both CCD- and DSLR-cameras have been joined together. It is equipped with a 6.1 Mega pixel, APS-sized Sony ICX453 AQ chip (hence the name) able to compete against popular DSLR's (e.g. Canon 20D, 350D), though at 16-bit depth and cooled -35C below ambient temperature.


Other items I use:
  • LZOS MC MTO-11 CA, 4" f/10 Maksutov-Cassegrain or large "mirror lens". Acquired for the solar eclipse of 2006.
  • Lots of eyepieces, including my favorite Vixen LVW 13 and LVW 22, and other accessories.
  • SBIG ST-4 autoguider.
  • Pelican Protector Cases for the safest transport possible.
Items from the past:
  • Towa 4.5" f/8 Newtonian reflector. My first real telescope.
  • Bresser 4" f/10 achromatic refractor. Bitten by the refractor bug for the first time.
  • Lichtenknecker Optics 500/3.5 mm Flat-Field Camera. Special Schmidt-Cassegrain f/3.5 astrocamera. Sold due to severe vignetting.
  • William Optics Megrez 3.5" f/6.9 refractor.
  • BORG 101ED 4" f/6.4 & f/4 refractor FOR SALE
  • Kenko SkyMemo, compact equatorial mount with tracking motor for wide field imaging.

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