Tal Klevsov Lunar image 7th March 2017

Posted on March 9, 2017 by Reviewer

Used a Tal Klevsov 8″ (200mm) with a Canon EOS 1100D to take this photo of the Moon. One thing about this telescope is the narrow field of view, so you can not get the full disc in. But an advantage is that less cropping is needed for close ups.

To get prime focus with this telescope, a short extension tube is needed due to not enough inward focus travel. But I was able to do this by simply using a 2x barlow with the lens element removed.

Focus is critical. So as always with my astro images I used magnified live view. This was a single RAW file 160th sec at 100 ISO. Processing was done in DPP (digital photo professional). I found compared to my Tal 4″ refractor contrast was lower. This was improved in editing. If taking single Lunar images, we always recommend using RAW files. This is because you can bring out so much more detail that would be lost in a JPEG

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North Lincs astro meeting 6th March 2017 Talk by Paul Money

Posted on March 7, 2017 by Reviewer

It was nice to see a few new faces for the March 2017 meeting at the North Lincs astro society. This meant we had a very good attendance of 25 people filling the room. On this occasion we were given an excellent talk (part 2) of the Voyager space flight program by Paul Money. This included some excellent actual and simulated footage and images of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune + moons. With a lovely finale where the space craft looked back and took a family photo of the solar system which made us all realise how small we are from such a vast distance away. In fact we were no more than a pixel in space.

Thank you as always for the teas and refreshments courtesy of Malcolm and Glenys and the wildlife trust for the use of the venue.

For a change, we had partial clear skies afterwards. So Paul Cotton very kindly set up the Celestron SCT telescope so we could have some glorious views of the Moon

For more info on the North Lincs astro society click HERE

 

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Hawke Frontier ED 8×42 , Endurance PC 8×25 customer purchases 26.2.17

Posted on February 27, 2017 by Reviewer

At the Northern Optics outlet this weekend , a couple of Hawke binoculars were on customer shopping lists. Firstly a gentleman was looking for a top quality 8×42 set of binoculars in the £200 – £250 range. He instantly enjoyed the bright and clear view the Hawke Frontier ED 8×42 gave. Compared to the slightly bigger Frontier 8×43 ED, these are truly outstanding value for money. These are a set up from the award winning Endurance ED range with a wider view, sharper optics and better build quality.

The 2nd customer wanted a high quality set for around £100. For this price the Hawke Endurance PC 8×25 were perfect.See image top right. As well as great optics, a big tick in the box was the double hinged design, meaning they could be folded up and put in a handbag. From a personal point of view, the Endurance PC 25mm binoculars are a perfect choice if the Sapphire range are above your budget

Both customers mentioned the importance of buying local and supporting local businesses. Plus with this they had the added benefit of trying before you buy

Click HERE to buy from Northern Optics

 

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Ursa Major wide field image using an Ostara 2″ moon skyglow filter 27.2.17

Posted on February 27, 2017 by Reviewer

In between the clouds I managed this wide field image of a section of Ursa Major. Used a Canon EOS 1100D. 30 seconds at 18mm. ISO 3200, RAW file and mounted on the Visionary VT70 tripod. So how did I connect an Ostara 2″ moon skyglow filter ?. I simply rested it on the camera lens. This filter removes much of the orange sky glow, with the remaining taken away in Canon digital photo professional.

The passing clouds add a nice effect

The Ostara Moon / Skyglow filter can be purchased from Northern Optics HERE . This is a popular filter with the members of the North Lincs astro astronomy society who tell me it performs as good as another dedicated light pollution filter.

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Gemini wide field using Ostara Moon Skyglow filter 27.2.17

Posted on February 27, 2017 by Reviewer

Took this image of the Gemini area using a Canon EOS 1100D with an Ostara 2″ moon / skyglow filter simply resting on the lens. Camera settings were 18mm , 3200 ISO, 30 seconds at f4. RAW file used.

There was lots of cloud and light pollution to contend with. A combination of the filter and reducing red in processing kept most of the orange hue at bay. Focus was slightly out for this one, but you can easily see M35. The passing clouds add a nice effect.

The Ostara Moon / Skyglow filter can be purchased HERE from Northern Optics

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Celestron Inspire telescopes with smartphone adapter

Posted on February 23, 2017 by Reviewer

Could the Celestron Inspire telescope range be the most feature packed starter telescopes at an affordable price to date ?

  • Versions include
  • Celestron Inspire 70mm AZ f10 #22401
  • Celestron Inspire 80mm AZ f11 #22402
  • Celestron Inspire 100mm AZ f6.6 #22403

So lets have a quick glance at the features you get as standard, and then ask yourself what other telescope in the same range offer the same

  1.  A built in smartphone adapter in the main lens cap
  2. Comes as standard with a 90 degree prism diagonal, allowing correct image for terrestrial use
  3. Starpointer Pro finder
  4. Focus micrometer. Allows you to return to the same point of focus much faster
  5. Built in red light torch than illuminates the accessory tray
  6. Single movement ultra fast tripod set up
  7. Free 90 day trial to Slooh astronomer
  8. Free download of SkyPortal

Each version has its own attributes with the longer focal length 70mm and 80mm refractors giving higher powers, while the 100mm version offers stunning wide field views with a faster f-ratio for imaging

Click  HERE to buy from Northern Optics

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Ostara compact 1.25″ telescope eyepiece and filter set OS333763

Posted on February 17, 2017 by Reviewer

The Ostara 6 piece compact telescope eyepiece and filter set nicely bridges the gap between the budget sets and the £100+ options. In the kit you get three Ostara HR fully coated 1.25″ eyepieces with a sensible range of 5mm, 15mm and 25mm. These focal lengths will be ideal for most situations.

Also in the box you get an Ostara 1.25″ crystalview moon filter and #3 Polarising filter. All of which are presented in a compact but sturdy aluminium case, which has been pre-cut. Case shown upper right

The outer box is surrounded by a colourful “pull over” outer layer which makes it look very smart if presenting as a gift idea

Click HERE to buy from Northern Optics

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Hawke Endurance 12-36×50 spotting scope. Best compact travel scope award

Posted on February 10, 2017 by Reviewer

The Hawke Endurance 12-36×50 spotting scope is a great example, as with many of the latest spotting scopes, you do not need a large aperture to get a bright image. Fully multi-coated optics with Dielectric BaK-4 prism gives outstanding performance across the range.

This was confirmed with this delightful little spotter getting the best compact travel scope award in the 2016 best binocular awards.

Click HERE to buy

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Optics weekend at the Waters` Edge country park, Lincolnshire

Posted on February 7, 2017 by Reviewer

Northern Optics are having Optics weekends every weekend (**see notes below ) at the Waters` edge visitor centre , Barton Upon Humber, North Lincolnshire. Unlike many dealers who are on-line only, you get a chance to try before you buy from a good choice of binoculars, monoculars, spotting scopes, tripods, telescope eyepieces and various other related accessories. Astro telescopes will not be on display. See photo top right

With views looking over the country park and lake, it is a great chance to test various optics on wildlife and surrounding countryside. Binoculars in particular really need to be tested first, as one set that suits one person may not be suitable for the next person.

Rest assured if you ask for advice, you will get an impartial response will no hard sell.

Prices range from budget to advanced

A cafe , children’s play area and gift shop are also on site, as well as being a tourism information centre

**Open days are subject to change, due to other events at the centre and Northern Optics having open days elsewhere.  Keep checking the main website at Northern Optics for any updates

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Baader M68 VariLock 15-20mm #2458211

Posted on February 7, 2017 by Reviewer

MANUFACTURER Baader Planetarium
SKU (#) 2458211
WEIGHT (KG) 0.0580
OPTICAL TUBE LENGTH (MM) 15 – 20mm
INNER DIAMETER / CLEAR APERTURE (MM) 65 mm
OUTER DIAMETER 82,1 mm
INNER CONNECTION (LENS SIDED) Dovetail ring clamp, S70
OUTER CONNECTION (EYEPIECE/-CAMERA-SIDED) Dovetail ring, S70
TYPE OF ADAPTER Extension, Variable

 

  • Baader M68 VariLock Extension 15-20mm
  • Continuosly (stepless) adaptable M68 extension with millimeter scale for fine-tuning of the optical height between 15 and 20mm in the M68-system
  • telescope-sided with M68 male (outer) thread
  • camera-sided withM68 female (inner) thread
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