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Posts Made By: Dan D DuBal

May 13, 2004 07:25 PM Forum: Maksutovs

New INTES MICRO Telescope Images

Posted By Dan D DuBal
Thanks for sharing these photos, Markus.
Best wishes.
-Dan

May 26, 2004 11:23 PM Forum: Insects - Flowers and Other Small Stuff - Photos

WASP FOR DINNER?

Posted By Dan D DuBal
Wow. Great shot, Ron.

I believe that's a Robber fly. They catch their prey in mid-air and commonly nab specimens larger/heavier than themselves.

I'm kinda' glad I don't fly around, myself. Hate to run into one of these guys. :-)

Best wishes.
-Dan

May 27, 2004 09:50 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Shadow rays to Tycho

Posted By Dan D DuBal
As usual, Wes, you've captured a great image. The Sun's low angle sure makes that terrain "pop."

Thanks for sharing.
-Dan

May 29, 2004 05:58 AM Forum: Astro Binoculars

Ball heads anyone?

Posted By Dan D DuBal
At a remote desert star party in '95, a fellow stargazer introduced his Bogen 3265 (grip-action ball) setup to my Fujinon 11x70s. While I don't recall the tripod used, I *do* remember the platform as being plenty firm and solid for the heavy Fujis. The grip-action worked easily and positively, and the head locked into position with no slippage. The head has a ~5.5-lb. working load capacity. I was fairly well impressed with the setup.

Bogen has recently introduced a new grip-action ball head called the 322RC2, whose working capacity is 11 lbs (although ~5.5 lb. when vertically oriented). The 322 also has a lower profile. Haven't tried the new head, so I can't offer any practical observations or impressions. Both the 3265 and 322RC2 have friction adjustment wheels to "tailor" the head to a given load.

...No, I'm not a Bogen dealer. :-)

Best wishes.
-Dan

June 2, 2004 02:12 PM Forum: Astro Binoculars

10x70 Nikon Astroluxe Binoculars

Posted By Dan D DuBal
I looked through a 10x70 Astroluxe several years ago, but I have not spent any significant time with a pair (or compared them with another giant). The Astroluxe utilizes ED glass (don't know which formulation) and a coma-correcting design. They're often and widely regarded as the finest 10x70 made. Experienced observers have noted that their superiority (over the Fujinon FMT-SX) *is* visible at the eyepiece, though not greatly so. Observers noting that superiority may cite "brightness," off-axis correction, and/or color "purity" (cast &/or saturation).

Would I buy a pair? No way. In my own book, there is a threshold I call "Good Enough," beyond which any significant additional cost is simply unjustified (if not downright silly). Again, that's *MY* book. Other folks follow their own "books" and philosophies, and that's the way it *should* be. My Fujinons are plenty "good enough" for me.

Best wishes.
-Dan

June 8, 2004 05:14 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

venus, casselberry Florida

Posted By Dan D DuBal
Alvaro, this is most-definitely NOT ugly.
Indeed, yours is now one of my all-time favorite transit photos. It conveys a certain "normal" or "real" quality that a typical telescopic/filtered image does not. What's even more interesting to me is how the photo -- a very simple, natural image -- seems to belie or contradict the rarity of the event itself.

Bravo!
-Dan

June 11, 2004 04:36 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Eyepiece designs - diagrams

Posted By Dan D DuBal
8)

Take the "Telescopes" link and follow the obvious path...

http://members.shaw.ca/quadibloc/main.htm


July 4, 2004 06:02 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

swift telescopes

Posted By Dan D DuBal
Earlier Swift refractors -- say, up through the early/mid '90s -- were made by Towa in Japan (who also supplied Tasco, Jason, & others). Other sources may have been used, as well. Generally, Swift equatorial-mounted refractors such as the 859R were among the better-accessorized 60mm refractors (6x30 achromatic finder, hybrid .965/1.25 diagonal, wood tripod, et.al.). Orion's old Observer 60 EQ Ultra was similar.

As for 60mm achromats and their fidelity/optical quality, an excellent Swift was likely just as good as others (whether vintage Tasco, Vixen, or Unitron). Construction details, mechanics, & accessories: these will determine a given scope's versatility/useability (and its price, too).

I must defer to others regarding recent & current Swift-branded telescopes.

Depending on a given scope package and its cost, as well as its intended use, a Swift refractor may or may not be a good-value choice. Today's market allows for 80- & 90mm equatorial refractors for less than $200. An 80mm f/11 achromat (optical tube only) can be had for $100. Orion's Skyquest XT4.5 runs $200. Details & mechanics vary widely. Then, of course, there's the used market...

Did you have a particular Swift model in mind?

Best wishes and cheers.
-Dan

July 4, 2004 06:59 PM Forum: DVDs and Music and Books That You Recommend

Your favorite cheezy movies?

Posted By Dan D DuBal
I wholeheartedly agree with your choice of "PeeWee's Big Adventure." While I myself don't categorize it as "cheese," it's certainly a classic. "Strange Brew" is another cinematic wonder along the same lines.

When I think of "cheese," certain words, terms, & reactions come to mind (not all must apply, but each is a fair barometer/indicator):
low-budget
sentimental
cliche
predictable
unintentionally hilarious
manipulative or insidious
goofy/silly
gratuitous
viewer's eyes roll more than once
(plenty others)...

My own examples of BAD -- some of the worst -- cheezy movies (movies I once endured and will never, ever, watch again):
Titanic
Tango & Cash
Star Wars: Episodes I & II
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective

GOOD cheese...
(aforementioned PeeWee & Strange Brew)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Death Race 2000
Mars Attacks!

Best wishes and cheezy, buttery popcorn!
-Dan

July 6, 2005 05:31 AM Forum: DVDs and Music and Books That You Recommend

Your Favorite Fiction---Top Five!

Posted By Dan D DuBal
Yikes. Let's see if I can muster five...

...in no particular order:

Jitterbug Perfume - Tom Robbins
A Prayer for Owen Meany - John Irving
The Color of Light - William Goldman
Lamb - Christopher Moore
something by Vonnegut

Cheers and dog ears.
-Dan

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