Can you use a focal reducer on a refractor?

Focal reducers for refractors are easy to use. They usually have a 2″ barrel that slides into the telescope focuser. The telescope side of the barrel is often threaded with an M48 x 0.75 thread for standard 2″ astronomy filters.

How do you reduce the focal length of a telescope?

A focal reducer is a group of lenses with a positive power, which decreases the primary focal length of the telescope. As in the case of a Barlow lens, its reduction factor depends on its focal length and its distance from the focal plane. When this distance increases, the reduction is more pronounced.

Is a field flattener necessary?

To use a telescope for photography an optical device is needed to convert your telescope from a visual instrument to a photographic camera lens. This optical device is a field flattener (or reducer/flattener). Without a field flattener stars that are not in the center will appear distorted. Spacing is critical.

Do I need a reducer for astrophotography?

Telescope focal reducers provide a brighter, wider image and a reduced exposure time. Telescope focal reducers also work as field flatteners, reducing field curvature to provide the flat field necessary for astrophotography.

Can you reduce focal length?

A telecompressor or focal reducer is an optical element used to reduce focal length, increase lens speed, and in some instances improve optical transfer function (OTF) performance. The effects and uses of the telecompressor are largely opposite to those of the teleconverter or Barlow lens.

What can I see with a 700mm focal length telescope?

Protos 350X Advance 60700 Professional 60mm Aperture 700mm Focal Length Reflecting Telescope (Manual Tracking) Hurry, Only a few left! The telescope is way better than expected. Though it’s cheap, it can show great views of planets like Jupiter, Saturn and Mars.

Is a focal reducer worth it?

Yes, focal reducers are worth it. The f/6.3 is $120 and the f/3.3 is $150, for the Meade ones. I have an f/3.3, but it is ONLY for CCD use… i rather discovered that fact the hard way. However, it has been invaluable for imaging; at f/10 I would not have attained the required wide field.

Can I use two focal reducers?

Yes, stacking reducers is common usage in near real time viewing, although I had not heard of anyone stacking two f/6.3 reducers until I tried it. Stacking reducers (not just twin f/6.3 reducers) is a feasible way to reduce the effective f/ratio and use shorter exposures.

What does a reducer flattener do?

Field Flatteners And Reducers Some flatteners do just that: they flatten the field removing the field curvature created by the telescope. Some flatteners are also reducers: this means that while they correct the field curvature, they also reduce the focal length of the telescope.

Is Focal Reducer necessary?

Are focal reducers worth it?