Re: New 80mm triplet refractors from Apogee Inc



Pierre Vandevenne wrote:
> "atasselli@xxxxxxxxxxx" <atasselli@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in
> news:1118863843.358287.52230@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx:
>
> > Too noble a purpose? :-)
>
> No, really. I a pragmatic agnostic. I don't care about Newtons, MNT,
> MAK, SCT, APOs etc... I just care about the enjoyment/fun derived. The
> 80ED makes a nice, affordable wide field scope.
>
> IMHO, there is no "single best choice". Take the TMB or 80ED for
> example. Mounted on an Atlux, they are virtually immune to winds, except
> when it becomes _really_ bad. The R200SS and other bigger newtons I have
> tried are not (I guess I should overmount them in proportion). Given the
> poor quality of my Belgian suburban skies and the very poor astronomical
> weather around here, I can't really afford to lose a windy nights. There
> is value here for my hobby.

Well, you see, I live the other side of the Channel (La Manche for you
I get) so if it's windy there is got to be windy here as well. Yet I
have yet to use the 80 APM/LZOS APO. Fact is that larger aperture is
larger aperture and the poor APO can't hold a (fraction of) candle to
the 8" MCT (let alone to the 10" Newt). Yes, there will situation
where the shorter focal length is going to make the day (or, rather,
night) for a few subject but if I need to go really short (for large
FOVs) I'll have to get out some photographic lens instead.

>
> Now, looking at the R200 SS, if one thinks I lost three hours looking up
> focusers, extension tubes and so-on (thanks to the Italian guy who
> confirmed my backfocus estimates btw), will lose a few hours ordering
> and installing them, will have to collimate etc... the cost difference
> with the apo shrinks significantly.

I never thought of that in monetary terms. I guess getting everything
sorted out and then reaping the benefits of your sweating is part of
the satisfaction...

>
> You may see it as bringing fuel to the fire of your argument that fine
> apos are the territory of "rich idiots", but "rich idiot" may simply
> mean "busy guy who wants to enjoy his hobby as much and as simply as
> possible" and, unless his hobby is fine tuning a scope, adjusting
> mirrors and mechanisms, scouring the internet for tips on how to get the
> most out of said scope etc...

Ever thought about renting a remote scope, like the ones at New Mexico
Skies? Maybe for you is the best solution, image wise. No down time, no
fumbling with hardware and gorgeous skies. As for me, 80% of the fun is
getting out there and get those darn photons anyway, so I can't see me
going "off-shore". I would loose the sort of physical contact with the
universe, which, somehow, I feel when I'm under the stars taking shots.

>
>
> I have as much respect for the guy who builds a dob in his garage and
> enjoys the process as for the guy who buys a paramount and puts a 20 cm
> refractor on it and enjoys the process of casually looking at Jupiter.

I have a bit more intellectual respect for the former, but that
shouldn't distract the latter from enjoying gazing at the
stars/planets. I find sometimes the latter type, alas, too much intent
in showing off (since you've been on the TMB yahoo group you know what
I mean) his/her "optical" wealth instead.

>
> There isn't a good or bad approach to the hobby imho. The only people I
> have a problem with are intolerant idiots. Fortunately, eventhough you
> are definitely intolerant when it comes to refractors, there is
> absolutely no trace of idiocy ;)

It's not because I'm intollerant, it's because I'm allergic ;-)

Thanks

Andrea T.

.

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