Daytime Photography with Refractor

Hi,

I'm purely a visual guy when it comes to astronomy, currently having a TV-85 for my grab-n-go scope. It also gets used as a daytime spotter, mostly for looking at owls in our neighborhood.

My wife has a Nikon DSLR, and it occurred to me that I could buy the field flattener for the TV85 so she could use it as a long telephoto (the flattener would make it a 480mm f/5.6). I've read good comments about that combo, but before I spend the money I wanted to get opinions here on other options to consider. I'm willing to swap for a different scope if it makes sense. Do the Petzval designs give a flat enough field to take photos without a flattener?

Thanks,

Duane

By definition, a Petzval allows flat field photography. Of course, it depends on the quality of the implementation. A field flattener for the TV 85 would also work. If you already have the 85, that is a much less expensive route. You will not find a much better scope than the 85 (or other tele-vues), and you already have it.

Be aware that you will probably also want an extender because I doubt the TV 85 would come to focus without it (not enough out travel once you remove the diagonal). These are relatively simple, non-optical, so they are not that big a deal.

Alex

Hi Duane,

I have used refractors for daytime photography for years and I have never needed a flattener but for close-ups an extender is often necessary. The stability of the mount is the most critical factor. I shot the hawk photo through an Orion ED80 and a Canon 7D.http://www.flickr.com/photos/65282925@N00/8207077060/

Hope This Helps,

Steve

Thanks everyone, for your comments and uploaded photos. I'm not sure which route I'll take yet, but I think I understand the alternatives better now.

Duane