Celestron Power Seeker 80 AZS. Testing prime focus photography

Posted on June 12, 2015 by Reviewer

IMG_7947IMG_7948IMG_7949

I have had a chance to test the prime focus performance of the Celestron powerseeker 80 AZ..
To connect a DSLR camera, you simply attach a t-ring to the telescope focuser..There is a t-thread on the scope, so no need to buy a t-adapter.
A photos below are unedited and not cropped / sharpened in anyway…Camera settings were 400 ISO , 2.5MP on AE.

Image one was taken through my own Tamron 70-300mm @ 300mm at f8.
Image two was taken using the Celestron 80 AZ..This makes is a 400mm f5..The image is a little softer than the camera lens..But no doubt if I used magnified live image, and sharpened up in editing the results will be much better.The difference in magnification between the camera at 300mm and the 400mm of the scope is obvious.
Thirdly I took a more distant target to check for vignetting. There obviously is some, but this can be cropped out in editing..Great news is that unlike some refractors, no extension tube is needed.

Summing up. It is not a high end camera lens, but for the money is an affordable compromise..Should be ideal for wide field astronomy..Much better optics than the travel-scope 70..Just a shame it wont fit on a camera tripod or EQ mount unless you can fit tube rings..So you are stuck with the very capable celestron one..No image stabilisation , so a remote is a must have..

Available to buy from Northern Optics

Posted in Celestron Spotting Scopes Reviews, User Guides and Tutorials | Tagged | Comments Off on Celestron Power Seeker 80 AZS. Testing prime focus photography

Celestron astromaster leg clips 8001905

Posted on February 9, 2015 by Reviewer

IMG_3223

Replacement tripod leg clip for Celestron Astromaster telescopes
Also fits Celestron SLT and Skywatcher AZ-GOTO mounts
Fixes between the tripod leg and accessory tray
Flexible plastic construction
Nut and bolts not included
One clip is included

Available to purchase from Northern Optics

Posted in Accessories | Tagged , | Comments Off on Celestron astromaster leg clips 8001905

Visionary metallic neck strap

Posted on February 5, 2015 by Reviewer
IMG_2796
Visionary metallic neck strap for a variety of uses
Attaches to any compact camera, smartphone or other device with loop connector
Very attractive silver finish
Strong metallic inner, with clear plastic outer for weather protection and a nice smooth feel
A very handy and useful accessory for keeping your devices close to hand.
Great as a gift idea
Posted in Accessories | Tagged , | Comments Off on Visionary metallic neck strap

Ostara filter wallet

Posted on February 5, 2015 by Reviewer

IMG_2797

Useful and well priced filter wallet from Ostara
Holds up to six 1.25″ telescope filters (4 in cases or 6 not in cases)

Ideal for keeping your filters in an inside pocket for easy and fast access when needed.
Filters are one of those small astro accessories that are easy to lose. No such worries here,
with the Ostara filter wallet to keep them all together

The case is an attractive black finish with light blue inner
Nylon construction
Velcro fastener
Light padding

On testing we found you could fully close the wallet with up to 6 filters not in their cases (lose)
or 4 filters in their cases

19cm x 8.5cm x 3cm when folded (The 3cm will vary depending on how many filters are packaged

Available to purchase from  Northern Optics

Posted in Accessories | Tagged , | Comments Off on Ostara filter wallet

North Lincolnshire Astronomy society meeting. 2nd February 2015

Posted on February 4, 2015 by Reviewer

north_lincs_astro

Despite the cold weather and risk of snow, around 17 hardy souls came to the North Lincs astro meeting on the 2nd February 2015.

The talks this month were by Chris Roche and Steve Berry talking about their observatories. It was a very light hearted and very light hearted look at what observatories can be accommodated in a back yard.

The two versions were completely different. One was a pre made fibre glass one, and the other a home made wooden version with a roll on – roll off roof

More information about the North Lincs astro society can be found on the Northern Optics website

 

Posted in News and Blog | Tagged | Comments Off on North Lincolnshire Astronomy society meeting. 2nd February 2015

Kepler Optik 3-way tripod head. TM-12

Posted on January 29, 2015 by Reviewer

IMG_2790

The Kepler Optik 3-way head, TM-12 is one of the best value tripod heads I have come across. Silky smooth movement in Pan, Tilt and angle makes it a joy to use. Ideal for both photographic and spotting scope use. Bubble level included

The handles are large enough to use with gloves on. For security, there is a locking pin to prevent the plate coming lose. The plate is also quick release. Perfect for use with all Olivon tripods

Various tripods and heads are available to purchase from Northern Optics

 

Posted in Tripods and Mounts | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Kepler Optik 3-way tripod head. TM-12

Skywatcher EQ3-2 polar finder scope 20116

Posted on January 29, 2015 by Reviewer

IMG_3044

The Skywatcher 20116 EQ3-2 polar finderscope is designed to aid polar alignment for accurate visual and photographic tracking. The EQ3-2 mount does not come with this accessory as standard. Very high grade optics give a clear view

Available to purchase from Northern Optics

 

Posted in Accessories | Tagged , | Comments Off on Skywatcher EQ3-2 polar finder scope 20116

Optical Hardware 1.25″ 12.5mm illuminated reticle eyepiece

Posted on January 19, 2015 by Reviewer
  • IMG_2705
  • The Optical Hardware 12.5mm illuminated eyepiece is an absolute must have for digital imaging
  • Ideal for Accurate Polar Alignment.
  • Well Suited for Use With Off-Axis Guiders for Centering and Guiding of Stars
  • Adjustable Red LED Light Brightness Control to Illuminate Crosshairs and Preserve Night Vision
  • Double Crosshair Reticle for Accurate Centering and Guiding of Stars
  • Fully Coated Optics for Excellent Light Transmission on Faint Stars
  • Includes Reticle Eyepiece and Illuminator

Available to buy from Northern Optics

Posted in Eyepieces | Tagged , | Comments Off on Optical Hardware 1.25″ 12.5mm illuminated reticle eyepiece

Maplin N50JU triple pack flight case

Posted on January 19, 2015 by Reviewer

The Maplin N50JU triple pack aluminium flight case is quoted as being ideal for engineering tools. But on tested we found it ideal for binoculars. We were easily able to accommodate each case for a range of binoculars from 42mm up to giant 20x80mm plus accessories.

IMG_2819

Each case comes with movable dividers that can be moved to suit each set. The 2 smaller sizes have 2 dividers and the largest has 3

These cases will not only help protect your binoculars from minor bumps compared to a standard soft case, but they will also help keep the damp weather of the optics when not in use in the field if used for astronomy

The example image shows a set of 15×70, 10×50 and 8×43 binoculars inside the larger case

Don,t just think they are for tools and binoculars. They can be used for safe storage of any general use items

Available to purchase from Northern Optics where you will also see full spec

Posted in Accessories | Tagged , | Comments Off on Maplin N50JU triple pack flight case

Ostara 2″ 26mm, 32mm , 38mm SWA-70 eyepieces

Posted on January 19, 2015 by Reviewer

IMG_2838

The Ostara 2″ SWA-70 are designed to give picture window wide field of views if the night sky. Available in focal lengths of 26mm 32mm and 38mm there is a good range of choices. Each has long eye relief for spectacle wearers, great internal blackening for reduced reflection and fully multi-coated optics for bright views with high contrast.

Eye cups are fold down. But in most cases you will be able to leave them out. The cups are very soft for comfortable views and help reduce stray light. Build quality is excellent with a sleek glossy finish. A useful rubber strip is around the centre of each eyepiece to aid grip if using gloves

Each eyepiece comes boxed and complete with lens caps. Threaded to accept 2″.

With a retail guide price of £94.95 – £104.95 they are very competitively priced

Available to purchase from Northern Optics

Posted in Eyepieces | Tagged , | Comments Off on Ostara 2″ 26mm, 32mm , 38mm SWA-70 eyepieces