antares vs celestron focal reducer
Observing the microscopic world has never been easier! The Antares f6.3 focal reducer screws directly to the visual-back thread of all popular SCTs and converts f10 instruments to f6.3. This focal reducer is made to attach to the rear cell of Schmidt-Cassegrain or Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes. Manish holds a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Tech and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. I have the Antares and am not unhappy with it, but for AP I would want more back focal distance if those numbers are accurate. In your opinion, is the Celestron is worth the added cost ($150 vs. $90)? 3. . Like many of us with SCTs, I have bought and sold a number of f/6.3 reducer/correctors over the years, and I have always been curious how they really stack up to each other. In some cases, focal reducers also act as field flatteners by correcting for field curvature and coma of the objective lens. Does anyone know if the Antares 4000 focal reducer is as good as the Celestron focal reducer. No idea what the issue is. InternetSales@optcorp.com, 800-483-6287 These scopes are compatibles with focal reducers. However, doesn't fit in the telescope and even if it did wouldn't work. However, it will not thread into William Optics accessories, and with GSO it is a hit or miss. Designed distancing using the reducer with a 1.25 visual back and 1.25 Televue mirror diagonal; 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. First, I wanted to compare the actual reduction provided by these competitors, as many threads here cite different ideal spacing from the reducer to eyepiece focal plane to achieve the correct f/6.3 result. . Please re-enable javascript to access full functionality. 160K views 9 years ago This video is a complete overview of focal reducers and how they function applying to telescopes. Things change but when I rebought I got an Antares and it seems about the same to me. The focal length of a focal reducer is usually measured from the rear lens surface of the reducer (and not the reducer's housing). Some manufacturers will specify the working distance from the middle of the rear lens surface, and this number must then be converted into a practical working distance number by subtracting the amount by which the rear lens surface is recessed in its housing. No retailers currently carry this product. As mentioned in Section 2 of this guide, the reduction factor of a focal reducer depends on its position in the optical path relative to the eyepiece or camera. Opticstar F6.3 Focal Reducer / Corrector. Reducer Lens .7x - EdgeHD 1100. I use it on my C8 SCT with a 1000d, and it seems to do everything written on the tin. Explore Scientific Keys to the Universe Sale. That's partly because focal reducers correct for field curvature, which itself depends on the focal ratio and other optical design factors of the telescope. As often noted in reviews and forum threads, Antares products tend to have threads that are a little less precise, and this specimen certainly demonstrated this. It was also a little brighter in the center of the field with subtle darkening in the outer 20% or so. With both, using the same diagonal set-up, the exact same stars were visible at the very edge of the FOV. He tested this on an 8 Celestron , I have a Celestron 6SE. Copyright 2021 Stargazers Lounge Most different was that the sky background was a little darker and more uniform, providing a tiny contrast boost for fainter objects. This article explains the basics of how focal reducers work with an astronomy telescope. The female end attaches to the rear cell of the telescope. Over the course of a several nights of general observing, I swapped back and forth between the Antares and Celestron R/Cs on a wide variety of objects open clusters, brighter galaxies, a couple of nebulae, and globular clusters as well. This standard distance is a consequence of the design of DSLR cameras for which the distance of the sensor to the outer edge of the flanges is about 45 mm, while the T-ring that attaches to the flange for astrophotography is about 10mm thick. Read our guide! A former wireless communications consulting engineer and management consultant to various Fortune 500 companies, Manish started Agena AstroProducts in 2003. Turn it on and push Align. In about three minutes, youre ready to observe! This superb fully multi-coated multi-element focal reducer takes advantage of the latest computer aided design techniques to achieve the highest standards of performance set by the brand leaders at a fraction of the cost. Explore Scientific - Keys to the Universe Sale. Go behind the scenes with Celestrons product development team and learn more about our award-winning and patented innovations. Sign up to get exclusive deals, observing tips, and new product announcements. The working distance of the GSO 0.5x focal reducer with 1.25" barrel and the GSO 0.5x focal reducer with 2" barrel is about 51mm to 53mm, approximately, from the middle of the metal cell that holds the lens. 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. Newtonian reflectors will seldom be able to accommodate the in-focus travel demanded by focal reducers. For me the Antares was a little brighter and had the least scatter by a bit so the better coatings won. Most amateur astronomers are familiar with a Barlow lens (or a focal extender), a negative or diverging lens that effectively increases the focal length and the focal ratio of a telescope's objective lens. In many cases, the answer is yes, especially for electronically-assisted astronomy (EAA). I only have the Celestron f/6.3. That was fun. Many focal reducers for refractors have a working distance (or back focus distance) of 55mm. We have corrected # (iii) after equations 6 & 7. 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. Celestron is considered better in terms of QA, less likely to come with free dust, hair or fingerprint. Start here to find the perfect telescope for you! Not noticed any optical problems. Reducer Lens .7x - EdgeHD 925 . This award-winning optical system reduces visual defects like field curvature and coma, creating an ultra-flat field for pinpoint stars all the way to the edge of todays largest imaging sensors. (Note: Using the simple equations above, the focal length of this reducer can be estimated to be about 350mm). This telescope control software replaces the hand control and allows the user to remotely control their Celestron computerized telescope from their personal PC or laptop. 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. Yet, the Antares still easily and fully threaded without any hitches. The two samples I have PERFORM IDENTICALLY. It covers the basic optics and design specifications of a focal reducer, and goes through some practical factors to consider when selecting and using a focal reducer. * Not a Retail Store * 16313 Arthur StreetCerritos, CA 90703, USA. The Reduction Factor and the Amount of Reduction are inversely related. Does anyone know if the Antares 4000 focal reducer is as good as the Celestron focal reducer. This rugged, 3-in-1 device features a true tactical 3-mode flashlight, a hand warmer, and a portable power bank for recharging your personal electronics on the go. Stars had a tiny bit more sparkle and pop. Celestrons patented StarSense Technology makes it easier than ever to locate objects in the night sky, even if youve never used a telescope before. CEL-94245. You don't need to follow these equations to use a focal reducer, but they do show how the reduction factor changes with the placement of the reducer. The new Lithium Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery chemistry has significant advantages over other battery chemistries, great for for those Astronomers on the go. 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. More aggressive reduction, or using these reducers with larger sensors, will result in aberrations and distortions near the edge of the image. It threads onto the rear cell of 5" to 16" Celestron and Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes, making it possible to have a dual focal ratio instrument without sacrificing image quality. 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. This focal reducer is made to attach to the rear cell of Schmidt-Cassegrain or Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes. The Celestron f/6.3 is ~150 compared to the Antares at ~70. Ive owned Celestron, Meade, and Antares models over the years at least a couple of each. 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. I've only used it a few times but it looks good to me. M44 was a perfect target for this, as its large size maxes out the FOV on a C8 with a corrector, and its bright stars make great targets for measuring the very edge of the visible field. If yes, what kind of focal reducers can I use? I have both the Antares and the Celestron reducers. Also, the focusers of most Newtonians do not have enough in-travel to accommodate a focal reducer. Easy solution found a very tiny dab of super lube on the threads and all was well and quiet. We do not price match competitors if they are out of stock. No negative issues to report. Meade once made an f/3.3 focal reducer for SCT scopes. Bear in mind you can't squeeze blood out of a turnip, i.e. 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) Share Customers Also Purchased Description Melotte 15 - First Process in PixInsight (easy! Celestrons FREE planetarium app is an astronomy suite that redefines how you experience the night sky. Advanced designs for Schmidt-Cassegrain scopes such as the Meade ACF or Celestron Edge HD have optical elements in the tube to correct for coma and field flatness. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. 3. These reducers can also be used for visual observing with SCT scopes with eyepieces with a field stop as large as 24-27mm. Specially-designed focal reducers are available for use with these telescopes. Thanks for any advice or experience you could share. Explicitly designed for Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes, this unique lens reduces your telescopes focal length and f/ ratio by 37%, turning your long focal length telescope into a fast, short focal length instrument. Meade once made an f/3.3 focal reducer for SCT scopes. Planetarium software package which provides easy-to-understand explanations and impressive visuals of all kinds. If the reducer is placed closer to the eyepiece or camera than the distance D, the reduction factor decreases. 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. Learn more about extra solar planets imagery, 3D Star rendering, observation planning, telescope control, multiple-panel printing, and much more. In some cases, focal reducers also act as field flatteners by correcting for field curvature and coma of the objective lens. 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. Thanks guys, appreciate the feedback. I was going to measure the difference in grams, but my lovely wife caught me trying to use her precious, high-tech kitchen scale for the cause, and put the kibosh on it. For imagers, the main purpose of a focal reducer is to increase the brightness of the image at the focal plane. For this test, I used a single configuration R/C, Click-lock, and 1.25 diagonal with the adapter. 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. Wow, that is a very detailed discussion! Increase that distance, and greater reduction results and visa versa. The more focal reduction, the further inward the focal plane will be. Reducer Lens .7x - EdgeHD 925 Learn More. There are also third-party vendors such as Hotech. Reducer Lens .7x - EdgeHD 1100 Learn More. This also resulted in the clear aperture of the Antares being about 39-39.5mm, versus the Celestrons 41mm. As another example,GSO makes focal reducers for their line of Ritchey-Chretien imaging telescopes. Like you, I am primarily visually observing but I have everything together now that so I am going to start experimenting with photography so we'll see how it does there. Since the Celestron and Antares are supposed to have different focal lengths and spacing specs, I expected different results. The Antares is supposed to be pretty comparable. You currently have javascript disabled. ED stands for "extra-low dispersion," which refers to the composition and optical properties of the glass used for the lenses. I have an 8SE, and am thinking about getting a focal reducer. Figure 1 shows the relationship between the focal reduction factor MR and the position of the reducer in the optical path. 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. Sky recognition technology that has revolutionized the manual telescope by eliminating the confusion common among beginners and enhancing the user experience for even seasoned telescope users. Reducer Lens .7x - EdgeHD 1400 Learn More. 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. The focal length and design working distance for this focal reducer were not available from the manufacturer. Most manufacturers provide this specification. Images made with my ZWO 533 camera testing both show them to be essentially the same. Figure 2 shows the effective of a focal reducer on the light from a telescope objective. Celestrons aplanatic EdgeHD optics revolutionized astroimaging. They both are great and I doubt my eyes could detect a difference in any one of them including the Japan version. Antares or Celestron? First, let's have a look at some key optical parameters are needed to understand focal reducers. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. Take control of your telescope! 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. Once focused it's pretty good. Watch this before you buy Celestron 8SE SCT, or a Focal Reducer or a Hyperstar 7,758 views Mar 28, 2018 145 Dislike Share Ray's Astrophotography 42.3K subscribers Note: I am not paid or. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. The designed reduction factor (0.5x in the case of the GSO reducer example above) should be considered a rule of thumb or approximate value in most cases, rather than a very precise number. Even though the manufacturer did not specify the working distance or focal length of this reducer, it is easy to see from this plot that this item provides its stated reduction of 0.5x when it is placed at a working distance of 51.5mm between the base of the threads on the mount and the focal plane of the eyepiece or camera. The key points are as follows: So just remember that a smaller distance (from the camera or eyepiece) means a lower amount of reduction (and vice versa). Still not sure what is the right gear for you? Never noticed any anomalies with this unit. Anyway, when purchased my R/C the "original" Celestron unit was not readily available and was offered instead the one sold under the shop's own label (in my case Tecnosky, but I saw the same product offered under TS label). Unlike . This part is no longer in production, but it is sometimes available used and may be used with cameras with smaller sensors. Benefits limited to hardware and conditions? No difference. You can probably eke out 1.2 without noticing serious vignetting, which is a field stop of 31.5mm. So, if you have a filter that is 3mm thick, you need to add 1mm of spacing to your imaging train to retain the correct back focus. For imagers using longer focal-length refractors and SCTs, especially when using smaller sensors that place less demand on the focal reducer, there are economical alternatives for focal reducers from manufacturers such as GSO, Agena, and Antares. But is there a difference in quality between the Antares and the Celestron or Meade focal reducers? Focal reducers (and focal reducer/field flatteners combos) are usually used with two types of telescopes, refractors and compound telescopes such as Schmidt-Cassegrain or Ritchey-Chretien. For example, a 0.8x reducer placed at the working distance provides a reduction of (1 0.8) x 100 = 20%. Fortunately, my neighbors are not out in their backyards at 11 pm, or they may have thought I was torturing a small mammal. 2023 Celestron, LLC. Very helpful, thanks a lot for this article! Assuming you use the reducer with the stock 1.25" diagonal, it will operate at f/6.3. The same illumination you have at the edge of a 27mm field, the C8 has at the edge of a 38mm field. I wish there was. Since the focal plane of an eyepiece is rarely precisely known(except for some brands such as Baader Planetarium and Tele Vue), and because the nosepiece of an eyepiece is of a fixed length, the actual reduction factor will be close to, but not exactly at, its designed reduction factor. However, manufacturers virtually never provide this specification. In terms of reduction and correction - which are what reducer/correctors are supposed to do - both are superb. Sign up for our newsletter to get exclusive deals, observing tips, and new product announcements. Brian Ventrudo is a writer, scientist, and astronomy educator. All rights reserved. Because I have not heard any complaints about the made in China R/C. Once installed, you can add additional accessories like T-Adapters, 1.25 Visual Back, Star Diagonal, or Off-Axis Guider. Thanks. For imaging, a T-adapter is threaded to the camera side of the focal reducer, which in turns connects to the camera with the appropriate hardware. And when used in some refractors, the field flattening is not as accurate as it is in the f/10 SCTs. However, the China 6.3 R/C has noticeable internal reflections that I haven't figured out yet. There is one difference though the Antares came with only one lens cap whereas the Celestron had a cap for both ends. Based on Test 1 and Test 2, I think there is perhaps more validity to opposing statements here in these forums that the Antares and current China-made Celestron do, indeed, have exactly the same optics just with different housings and branding. There may have been an almost imperceptible difference, but the Antares and Celestron were producing precisely the same reduction. It is not a corrector or flattener. More details are found in the Appendix of this article. Contiguous US Customers:All items we sell ship for free within the Contiguous US. Right off the bat, I was struck by how similar the two R/Cs were. These reducers have a back focus (or design working distance) of 80mm. because they really dont matter. He also holds a Ph.D. in engineering physics from McMaster University. In both cases will end with a similar tfov. - thanks. I'd favor the Japanese Celestron version over the others that are commercially available. As one increases, the other decreases. With this telescope and this focal reducer, it does not help to move to a 2" eyepiece and a 2" diagonal as the visual view will be akin to looking through a porthole within the larger apparent field of view of the eyepiece. A wider field of view and a lower magnification is also useful, with some focal reducers and with some eyepieces, for visual observers with telescopes with long focal ratios. . Our patented SkyAlign alignment technology makes setting up a computerized telescope simple, fast, and accurate. I have/had both the Celestron (Japan) and Antares units. What I do know is that the Antares and the Celestron samples that I have perform exactly the same from the center right out to the edges. There are many different types of focal reducers and they all effect. a Tele Vue Panoptic), or a Plossl eyepiece with an apparent field of view of 50 and a focal length of 32mm. Product Details. Can these economical focal reducers from GSO and other vendors result in good images? If the reducer is placed elsewhere, at a position called the operating distance, the focal reduction factor will not be as advertised. I have the Antares and have no complaints. Regardless, the difference was miniscule and is more than adequate on both and exceeds a 8 or 6 SCTs baffle tube diameter. Photographically you also get a wider field and much shorter exposures. Getting the proper back-focus for your imaging camera is a vital step in getting the best data possible out of your telescope imaging/research rig. The Reducer/Corrector can also be used for terrestrial digiscoping. 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. Thanks for pointing this out. Thanks for the extremely valuable article. and you will be fine. We have tested our current batch and it works with Meade, Celestron, and Baader SCT accessories. The nominal design reduction factor of these reducers is typically 0.5x. The stars at the edge could be worse or better. 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"). Figure 7 shows an example of an image of the Dumbbell Nebula taken with a 1.25" GSO focal reducer at a reduction factor of 0.63x with an 85mm f/7 refractor and a QHY5III-290M camera with a sensor with a 6.4mm diagonal. The price for an item/offer must be listed and valid at the time of match. Thks for that and its not for visual it for astrophotography. Well done. GSO, for example, has a 0.75x reducer for RC scopes with a back focus of 80mm, which is usually enough room for a wide range of astronomy cameras and accessories and spacers as needed. They are commonly available in 1.25" and 2" threaded cells that conveniently thread into the nosepiece of a compatible camera or the barrel of an eyepiece. If used before or beyond the working distance, unwanted image distortion may result. However, the export of some items may be restricted outside the US due to size or manufacturer restrictions. Celestron or Antares f/6.3 focal reducer for SCT? 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. The review is a subjective visual impression, which is interesting but not best evidence. Obviously bright objects like Jupiter or The Moon show the reflections. But I am rusty, can you condense a bit for me please? The distance d2, which measures the position of the new focal plane of the objective from the back of the focal reducer is given by Equation 5: In these equations, d1, d2, and MR are all variables that depend on each other through Equations 2 and 4. 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. It works fine but you should stick with 1.25 EPs; or can use 2" EPs without corrector. Optically, it consists of a four-element lens that is fully multi-coated for high contrast and resolution. Theres a long-running debate in these forums and even statements from some reputable dealers that the Antares is just a reducer (even though it is labeled Reducer/Corrector), whereas the Celestron is a true R/C, which flattens the SCTs naturally curved field and provides some edge correction. Details: The item must be the identical item, brand name, size, weight, color, quantity and model number. The C8 has no noticeable vignetting with a 32mm Plssl in the f/6.3 reducer. Your eyepieces are the first accessories you should learn to use with your telescope. The click-lock with a 2 dielectric diagonal with a somewhat shorter light path, using both a 2 ES 28mm/68 and the same low-profile adapter with a 1.25 ES 24mm/68. I really don't see any difference in the current crop except the "Meade" is usually the cheapest. Celestron Solar Safe filter technology is GUARANTEED SAFE for direct solar observation and has been independently tested by SAI Global Assurance Services. If it's positioned further from the eyepiece or camera and closer to the telescope objective, the reduction factor increases. During checkout, you may also be shown other optional faster shipping choices.US Customers in Hawaii and Alaska: Free shipping applies to almost all products. It's easy! Style: The reducer features fully coated optics in an anodized aluminum filter ring with an ergonomic rubber grip.
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