refractor design

How does overall design of an OTA affect performance? Can you have
a top quality ED objective with a medium standard 3 or 4 baffled system and
still
get excellent returns? The light path is what matters. Should it be an
issue if that path
is passing through 3 baffles or 6 assuming that the interior of the OTA is
as black as you can get it?
And what about the focuser barrel? As long as it is of rack and pinion
design.

My point is, can you put a porche engine into a 73 volkswagon and still go
fast?

My point is, can you put a porche engine into a 73 volkswagon and still go
fast?

Your analogy is probably a good one. When you put a Porche engine in a 73 VW
is a car would have some pretty impressive straightline performance but that
would be all over the road, would not have enough suspension or braking to
handle the engine and in general just a road hazard.

Good optics requires good mechanicals to make them reach their full potential.

jon

Good optics requires good mechanicals to make them reach their full
potential.

jon

You haven't explained why. I need to know why.

Subject: refractor design
From: "Mike"
Date: 6/19/04 8:26 AM Pacific Daylight Time
Message-id: kWYAc.4750$7d2.2855@clgrps13



Good optics requires good mechanicals to make them reach their full
potential.

jon

You haven't explained why. I need to know why.

*****************************
You also need super seeing for good optics...

Chas P.

Subject: refractor design
From: "Mike"
Date: 6/19/04 8:26 AM Pacific Daylight Time
Message-id: kWYAc.4750$7d2.2855@clgrps13



Good optics requires good mechanicals to make them reach their full
potential.

jon

You haven't explained why. I need to know why.

*****************************
You also need super seeing for good optics...

Chas P.

"Mike" wrote:

Baffles dont make images, lenses do. Baffles hide partially illuminated tube walls from your sight. 3 baffles, 6 baffles, a million baffles. You want the least amount of baffles that do the job: hide the tube wall from your sight. Once the tube wall is hidden, extra baffles accomplish nothing.

Crappy refractor hardware (like Synta makes) generally works for holding an eyepiece in the approximate position for good viewing, refractors are pretty forgiving at Synta type magnifications. Throw a chromacor in the mix and Syntas generally inferior hardware quality is no longer enough to hold the entire system in collimation adequately.

Good hardware, like an Astro-Physics refractor, holds the lens and focuser in very precise alignment, this lets you get the most out of everything, like seeing concentric fresnel rings in star tests at 400 - 600 power. Super high power reveals more subtle problems and errors. If you have a Synta, you probably aren't going to be viewing planets at 400x anyway, so again the lower quality level of their components isn't much of an issue. If you've got a $4500 lens up front on the other hand, then it's nice to have everything held in alignment and concentricity as only a well built refractor can do.

JB

"Mike" wrote:

Baffles dont make images, lenses do. Baffles hide partially illuminated tube walls from your sight. 3 baffles, 6 baffles, a million baffles. You want the least amount of baffles that do the job: hide the tube wall from your sight. Once the tube wall is hidden, extra baffles accomplish nothing.

Crappy refractor hardware (like Synta makes) generally works for holding an eyepiece in the approximate position for good viewing, refractors are pretty forgiving at Synta type magnifications. Throw a chromacor in the mix and Syntas generally inferior hardware quality is no longer enough to hold the entire system in collimation adequately.

Good hardware, like an Astro-Physics refractor, holds the lens and focuser in very precise alignment, this lets you get the most out of everything, like seeing concentric fresnel rings in star tests at 400 - 600 power. Super high power reveals more subtle problems and errors. If you have a Synta, you probably aren't going to be viewing planets at 400x anyway, so again the lower quality level of their components isn't much of an issue. If you've got a $4500 lens up front on the other hand, then it's nice to have everything held in alignment and concentricity as only a well built refractor can do.

JB

Good optics requires good mechanicals to make them reach their full
potential.

jon

You haven't explained why. I need to know why.

My point is, can you put a porche engine into a 73 volkswagon and still go
fast?

Your analogy is probably a good one. When you put a Porche engine in a 73 VW
is a car would have some pretty impressive straightline performance but that
would be all over the road, would not have enough suspension or braking to
handle the engine and in general just a road hazard.

Good optics requires good mechanicals to make them reach their full potential.

jon

I am thinking lately about making a Manwich spaced APO,
but not sure, there are many sauces and spices in Manwich ,
and should I add beef to lens or not?

I know Roland say "No beef in my lenses, no beef", but I
do not think he is spacing with Manwich, I think his lens
are Mazola spaced.