[Aegea]

I've recently posted a couple of shots in the "Gallery" thread using an 80ED with a Nikon V1 (yes, I moved on from the Pen E-P2), and have been asked for a comparison between the V1 and a crop DSLR. Not wanting to clutter up that thread which is really supposed to be for photos, as Cango gently reminded us , I'll try to answer here.

The V1 has a 2.7 crop factor compared with a FF camera, or about 1.8 compared with an APS-C sensor (and 1.35 compared with an m43 sensor). Obviously the smaller sensor carries penalties in terms of noise and dynamic range. I was surprised that for bird photography in decent light, these penalties are not too serious. Nikon has done a very good job of optimizing the sensor. The advantage is, of course, an big increase in range with no increase in f-stop, unlike using a TC or telenegative. The smaller pixels will however reveal any shortcomings in the lens - but since astro telescope optics are very good, this is not really a problem for us. I'm very happy with the results when scaled to 1200 - 2000 pixels for the screen. I haven't tried any prints, but I'd guess up to 13x9 inches would be possible.

Noise levels are very good at ISO 200 - 400, acceptable at 800, and become objectionable at 1600 (IMHO). About 1 or maybe 2 stops less than the D90, but you get at least some of that back by the lower f-number (i.e., no TC or telenegative). Annoyingly, Nikon hasn't given us half or 1/3 stop steps in ISO.

The V1 also scores well on ease of use. The EVF is very good, and Nikon has kindly provided a big and very accurate "in focus" dot on the screen. Manual focusing is very much easier than with the D90. I haven't found myself missing focus much. The ability to use the electronic shutter also is good because it reduces noise and vibration.

Ergonomically, the camera is easy and intuitive (at least to a Nikon owner). Direct controls (buttons and dials) are more limited than on a DSLR, but the menu system is simple and clear.

Overall, I'm still in the honeymoon phase, but I do think this camera is dynamite for birders - especially (though not relevant to this forum) because of its ability to use Nikon AF-S lenses with almost full functionality using the FT-1 adapter.

[jogiba]

I have the new Pentax K-01 on order and will test it with my new CT152 scope (900mm F5.9 ). Here is a photo of my Pentax K-7 in it's large 3" dual speed focuser and with 21mm Ethos 100° AFOV eyepiece and 2" WO correct image prism diagonal.

[alphan]

Originally Posted by jogiba

I have the new Pentax K-01 on order and will test it with my new CT152 scope (900mm F5.9 ). Here is a photo of my Pentax K-7 in it's large 3" dual speed focuser and with 21mm Ethos 100° AFOV eyepiece and 2" WO correct image prism diagonal.

What a killer. wow.... What's the weight like with just the scope and camera with the mounting?

[Paul Corfield]

Originally Posted by jogiba

I have the new Pentax K-01 on order and will test it with my new CT152 scope (900mm F5.9 ). Here is a photo of my Pentax K-7 in it's large 3" dual speed focuser and with 21mm Ethos 100° AFOV eyepiece and 2" WO correct image prism diagonal.

Nice big scope, I guess it's a basic achromat, not ED glass or anything. What's the CA like in daytime use?

Paul.

[Musoman]

Yes its an Achro as you say - and its a big beast. Over 20Lbs, but amazingly short for such a scope

Its a Kunming Optics build for Canadian Telescopes

Review on CN..

http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=2690

[bogert]

Here is a link to a photo of my birding setup
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisbo...in/photostream
I'm using an Astro-tech 72 ED, 430mm telescope, a Canon 500D and a big sturdy tripod. It all fits nicely into my camera backpack.
I'm looking to get a 1.4x tele-convertor for some extra reach.

[punta]

Starwave 80ED Semi - APO Refractor

I have been offered one of these scopes without a eyepiece. Quick question are they suitable for astrophotography, if so are they the same/similar to skywatcher 80ED glass quality.

[Paul Corfield]

Starwave is FPL-51 so you may see a little blue fringing, nothing major but be aware there may be some. Saying that, FPL-51 can be ok depending on the matching element but most FPL-51 scopes I've seen photos from will have a tiny bit of blue fringing around bright, high contrast subjects. Depends on the price of the Starwave. Things like the free fringekiller plug in for Photoshop are a 1 click solution that will completely remove it too. Apart from that the scope would be fine.

Edit - just re-read your question and see you mention astrophotography. What sort of astrophotography are you think of?

Paul.

[punta]

Originally Posted by Paul Corfield

Starwave is FPL-51 so you may see a little blue fringing, nothing major but be aware there may be some. Saying that, FPL-51 can be ok depending on the matching element but most FPL-51 scopes I've seen photos from will have a tiny bit of blue fringing around bright, high contrast subjects. Depends on the price of the Starwave. Things like the free fringekiller plug in for Photoshop are a 1 click solution that will completely remove it too. Apart from that the scope would be fine.

Edit - just re-read your question and see you mention astrophotography. What sort of astrophotography are you think of?

Paul.

Thanks paul,

You really do know your stuff with these scopes

Not sure why i put astrophotography in, as i want to use it for bird photos. Was offered one for £250 did a hunt on ebay and see they are available for £200

[punta]

Ok I have decided not to get the starwave. I have bought a skywatcher 80ED collect it tomorrow :)

I have already got a Canon 40d camera, but I want to just leave this on my normal lens, so now I want a camera that i can just leave on the 80ED all the time ready to go.

Any reco's. I would like a camera with a decent iso (better than the 40D), focus confirm is a must, cuz I aint great in manwell mode + decent burst rate.

Are any of these mirrorless camera's being used by any one yet ?

Cant wait to get going haha

[punta]

Well after much messing about by me I have got one - will be having a play tomorrow. Sold my Max dslr and 2 inch extension tube that I bought previously

But I do have a T2 mount and some macro tubes so should, hopefully be able to set it up tomorrow. Looks like I will need to do something about my tripod head for mounting this beast as well.

[Paul Corfield]

Note - on the lens cap you can pull off the smaller protruding cap to expose a 50mm hole. This allows you to stop down the scope from 80mm f7.5 to 50mm f12. This gives more depth of field plus more chance of getting birds in focus plus on a sunny day you don't drop too much in shutter speed.

There's various methods for mounting onto a tripod. I drilled two holes in my scope tube and mounted a metal plate to it at the balance point with camera attached. With yours being brand new you may not want to start drilling holes in it though. The big tube rings add unwanted weight, probably don't need the finder scope attached either.

Paul.

[punta]

I have finished work now, so have set up my scope.

Taken a few shots hand held and they looked awfull, looked overexposed and blurry around the edges. I Just set the camera to Manual and made sure the arrow was in the middle on the exposure bar, + adjusting the iso to get a decentish shutter speed, but light not great today. Will try and sort out a tripod and see if that helps, which i am sure it will :)

Photo attached. Does it look right please.

[Paul Corfield]

Set up looks fine. On my 450D I find exposure is generally ok with the needle well to the left, about -1 on my scale. The scale goes from -2 to +2 on my 450D.

I use spot metering or centre weighted.

Paul.

[punta]

Originally Posted by Paul Corfield

Set up looks fine. On my 450D I find exposure is generally ok with the needle well to the left, about -1 on my scale. The scale goes from -2 to +2 on my 450D.

I use spot metering or centre weighted.

Paul.

Thanks for the heads up :) I reckon the 40D wont be much different with the settings. I have not had chance to get it on the tripod as yet. Will get it sorted tomorrow and post a few photographs hopefully.

[punta]

Just quickly set up the scope in the conservatory for a quick few shots through glass in very poor light between heavy rain showers.

I think I will need to get some practice with this scope – but it looks fun.

Few photos attached.
Not sure what i am doing in getting these photos listed mind you, I used a action for sharpening and web sharing that i found free on the net to get these up.

Cheers Paul

[alphan]

Excellent, I would say for a beginner. With some practice, you'll be posting fantastic pics soon. Keep it up.

[Tord]

Hi all,

I have taken the plunge and ordered bits and pieces the other week. With some minor modifications i mounted the Skywalker ED80 tube on my Lensmaster Gimbal tripod.

When assembling the setup this afternoon I noticed there seems to be quite many pieces of dust or fibres inside the scope tube quite a few of them large, sticked to the back of the front lens. The matte tube coating seems damaged, and I guess these pieces are simply fragments of paint. I contacted the seller (www.teleskop-express.de) who have been really service minded, answering my questions and being responsive to emails, they offered to replace it without questioning. 5/5 as far as service is concerned.

Anyway, the setup is nice to operate, focuser smooth and the AF confirm chip provides some extra support. Not that F7.5 is difficult to use, on the contrary the image contrast and brightness in the viewfinder was quite good.


I could not resist the temptation to take some pictures in my garden before sending the scope back for replacement. Apologies for posting samples in this thread meant to discuss setups.

600 mm, F7.5, Olympus E520 @ ISO 400, 1/320s (the EXIF says 50mm F2.8 but that is output data from the AF confim chip that signals it is working OK). Shooting distance about 8-10 meters, pictures 50% cropped. I also found out I had to underexpose about -1EV for correct exposure.

I believe the results are quite promising, considering that the front lens has quite a few paint speckles on it.

I will keep you updated. Stay tuned...

/Tord

[Tord]

Here is my newly acquired setup, as depicted:

• Skywatcher ED80 600mm F/7.5
• 50 mm extension tube. I quite immediately found 50 mm is not enough, so I added a 25 mm Olympus original extension tube (that is the one closest to camera body)
• True-2 Olympus 4/3 Prime Focus Adapter with Nikon fitting
• Nikon to 4/3 adapter with AF confirm chip
• (25 mm extension tube, might not need if I mount a longer extension tube)
• Olympus body (E620/E520). The good thing is these bodies are light, the setup is already someahat back heavy as it is.
• Lensmaster Gimbal GH-2 head
• Giotto long plate. Drilled one extra hole through the plate to attach to the scope rail.
• Manfrotto aluminum tripod

What do you think? Any potential improvement areas?

/Tord

[Paul Corfield]

Originally Posted by Tord

What do you think? Any potential improvement areas?

/Tord

Camo tape?

I know it's new and you may not want to modifiy it. If it were mine I'd take off the tube rings and rail and mount the Giotto plate directly to the scope. You can get the scope much better balanced by mounting your own plate but it generally requires drilling a couple of mounting holes in the telescope tube.

Paul.

[alphan]

Paul, you should take a look Oly OM D. Very impressive results reported. 2X crop still produce crisp, clean low noise when compared to 1.5X crop camera. Mirrorless...

[Paul Corfield]

Originally Posted by alphan

Paul, you should take a look Oly OM D. Very impressive results reported. 2X crop still produce crisp, clean low noise when compared to 1.5X crop camera. Mirrorless...

It looks pretty good but quite a few people seem to really hate it and I've read a fair few reports of people sending it back. At around £1000 in the UK I think I'll wait. It's about double the price that I would consider spending on a new camera. Image quality looks good enough and I'd consider buying a second hand one for the right price.

Paul.

[Mark9473]

Originally Posted by Tord

What do you think? Any potential improvement areas?

I would add a red dot finder.

[alphan]

Originally Posted by Paul Corfield

It looks pretty good but quite a few people seem to really hate it and I've read a fair few reports of people sending it back. At around £1000 in the UK I think I'll wait. It's about double the price that I would consider spending on a new camera. Image quality looks good enough and I'd consider buying a second hand one for the right price.

Paul.

Very interesting. Saw a few ads in Singapore of people selling within a week or two. One would rather stick to his NEX 7 but not knowing what he usually shoots, can't comment on it.

[JvdM]

Hi Mark

If you are using the "red dot finder" can you please expand on the use and benefits?

Much appreciated

Jaco