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Posts Made By: Steve Stonehill

April 1, 2011 10:47 PM Forum: Birding Optics and Photos

Poor Little Finch

Posted By Steve Stonehill
Hi All,

I photographed this guy in my backyard this past weekend and this wasn't the only bird that I saw with eye damage. Is this damage caused by competing males or do you think something else might be to blame?

Steve

April 13, 2011 10:09 PM Forum: Wildlife Photography

TEETH!

Posted By Steve Stonehill
I'm not sure if these qualify as wildlife anymore! Fossil collecting is another of our hobbies and these are some of the Tertiary period teeth that we've found in NJ. They range in age from approximately 55 million to 35 million years old. The biggest tooth is just over 3".

Clear Skies,

Steve

October 24, 2011 10:09 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

Baader Solar Continuum Filter

Posted By Steve Stonehill
I'm interested in some opinions and advice regarding this filter. I would be using it with a 102mm ED refractor and a Lunt Herschel Wedge. Does it provide a significant increase in contrast? Does it help with fine detail?

Thanks

December 23, 2011 06:21 PM Forum: LUNATICS

Herschel Wedge for Luna

Posted By Steve Stonehill
Hi All,

During the last full moon I tried my wedge on the moon for the first time. I was using a 120mm refractor and binoviewers and all I can say is WOW!!! If you have a wedge and have yet to try it on the moon you're in for a treat. The brightness is not the least bit uncomfortable and the contrast is fantastic. Although I haven't tried it I think that a Herschel wedge would be useable in an SCT or a Mak for moon viewing.

Clear Skies and Happy Holidays!

April 7, 2003 11:59 PM Forum: Maksutovs

Starmax 127 How are the optics

Posted By Steve Stonehill
Hi Dave,

I have the SVP version and it's not quite as sharp as an MN56 I owned due mainly to the larger CO. I bought it as a an inexpensive high quality travel scope. Neither it nor the MN56 I had are in the same ballpark as the VX-102FL I currently own. The Mak Cass is nearly as bright as the refractor but the contrast, sharpness and quick cooldown are what separates the two scopes. FYI, the SVP package cost a few dollars more than half what I paid the 102 OTA, used.

Hope This Helps,

Steve Stonehill

April 22, 2003 01:18 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Reflector or Refractor?

Posted By Steve Stonehill
Hi Andrew,

I've owned and used every major type of popular type of scope with the exception of an SCT. I currently own 2 4" APO refractors, a 5" Mak-Cass, and a 10" Dob. The refractors are the most often used by far. So You think I'd vote for a $300 refractor? NOPE. Take some others advice and get a 6" reflector. Don't rush out to get binoculars either, upgrade your finder to a 9*50 instead. The reflector, especially a 6" f8, is a wonderful scope that will show you every major class of object with excellent detail on most Messier's and solar system objects. A cooled and collimated 6" reflector is hard for most scopes to equal let alone beat. Inexpensive refractors can be a good instrument but I personally have never seen one that beats a halfway decent 6" Newt at anything.

My .02

Steve

September 9, 2003 12:58 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Most disappointing telescope purchase.

Posted By Steve Stonehill
Brand new ETX 90 from the "gentleman" at Wholesale Optix in CT. Scope was used and abused and set me back over $600. No luck with seller and Meade was unconcerned to say the least. Two companies that have been for some time and always will be on my never again list.

Clear Skies,
Steve

September 20, 2003 06:13 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

EPs with built in barlow vs separate barlow

Posted By Steve Stonehill
Hi Ian,

I use the 5mm Vixen Lanthanum EP in newts and refractors. I don't find it any sharper nor any softer than a 10mm Plossl that is barlowed. The only thing that sets these EPs apart, IMO, is the long 20mm eye relief.

Clear Skies,

Steve

September 20, 2003 07:26 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Equipment Review websites...trustworthy??

Posted By Steve Stonehill
I remember a review of the 8" Portaball in Astronomy. The reviewer said the scope was wonderful in every way but he did find that the mirror had a slight turned edge. The mirror was a Zambuto. This is the only thing I have ever read that was negative about one of Mr. Z's mirrors. Given the legendary status that these mirrors now enjoy I wonder if the review, if done today, would be different. I have found that many reviews don't jibe with my own personal experience. Whenever a review is done that is overwhelmingly positive I am very skeptical. I've owned more than a few scopes and not one has been perfect in every way, and happily, none were junk. Some review "facts" such as wavefront error data based on a star test should be taken with a huge grain of salt. Also things like comparing scope X to a large APO. How many people have ever seen a large APO? Not me. I like down to earth reviews that balance positive with negative.

My .02,

Steve

September 20, 2003 11:14 PM Forum: Refractors

Small - Medium (80mm-120mm) Refractor

Posted By Steve Stonehill
Hi Mark,

As a Vixen ED owner I would heartily recommend the Orion ED. The difference between decent ED and fast focal ratio achro refractors is considerable. The 120mm will be brighter but anything that shines from mag 3 up will introduce a large amount of false color.

Clear Skies,

Steve

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