TS Universal 2' Field Flattening Lens for Refractors f/5 to f/8

TsFlat2

in stock

TS Universal 2" Field Flattening Lens for Refractors f/5 to f/8

279,00 EUR
incl. 19 % Tax
excl.Shipping costs

Description

Set Price - If you purchase this flattener along with a refractor telescope or if you have already purchased a refractor telescope from us before you can get the flattener at a reduced set price of only Euro 199,- ( please just tell us to charge only the reduced price in the message field when you go to the cash box. )

TS 2" Field Flattener - Universal Field Flattening Lens

This revolutionary new field flattening system is the first one to our knowledge that offers a superior quality compared with conventional systems:

-- larger possible illuminated field through elimination of the "T2 keyhole". The flattener has 45mm clear aperture compared with 37mm for typical T2 adaptations.
-- excellent performance on a broad range of very different refractor telescopes from f/5 to f/8.
-- very large Back Focus distance of 109mm (exceptions: see belo). This allows you to attach extra accessories between the camera and the flattener, like off-axis guiders, filter quick changers, ...
-- a multitude of different adaptations is possible. The flattener uses the standard 2" filter thread
-- visual use is also possible with the 2" filter thread adaptation - just screw the flattener into the 2" barrel of the star diagonal mirror - this will improve image sharpness towards the edge even for photographic use.

Practical Applications:

The left image shows a typical setup of the field flattener with f/6 to f/7.5 refractors and a digital SLR camera.

-- The flattener is on the far left. It disappears completely inside the focuser.

-- Next to the flattener is an M48 extension tube to get the proper distance. The extension tube is available in several different lengths.

-- In this case the camera adaptation is through the conventional T2 thread via a T2 bayonet ring. For Canon EOS a separate adaptation is also available with a larger clear aperture.

-- For convenience a 2" stoppig ring is used to have a clearly defined focal position of the entire setup.

-- We are happy to assemble a kit specifically suited for your telescope, camera and accessories!

TS Field Flattener - Adapter Scheme
Specifications:

-- field flattener with blackened lens edges. Multi-coated.
-- no focal reducer function!
-- thread on the telescope side: M48 (2" filter thread) female
-- thread on the camera side: M48 (2" filter thread) male
-- clear aperture 45mm (much larger than with conventional T2 systems)
-- the flattener disappears completely inside the focuser. It does not inherently require any extra back focus.

Recommended distances between the M48 thread of the flattener and the sensor of the camera:

For most refractors the optimum back focus distance is 109mm from the M48 thread to the camera's sensor. Practical experience has demonstrated that the flattener has a large tolerance for deviations from the ideal distance. 5% deviation does not cause any deterioration of the image quality in an APS-sized sensor (DSLR). For smaller sensors (CCD) somewhat larger deviations may be acceptable, but please keep in mind the higher resolution of many CCD cameras which in turn suggests that the distance should be kept as precisely as possible. The main tests have been made with a Digital SLR camera with a 15.1mm x 22.7mm sensor.

On refractors with a fast focal ratio (approx. f/6) we recommend a longer back focus distance of approximately 120-123mm.

Available accessories for the field flattener ............................. You can find links under "accessories" above:

-- 2" barrel extensions 15mm, 20mm or 30mm length
-- 2" on T2 adapter with 39mm length
-- Variable T2 extension 10 to 12mm
-- T2 Extension tubes 7.5mm, 15mm and 40mm

These various adapters allow you to use the flattener with any telescope with any individual accessories, such as off axis guiders, filter wheels, filter quick changers, ... You will be able to maintain the correct distance between the field flattener and the camera. Of course we are happy helping you in your individual selection of adaptors!

Please send requests to: .......................................................... info@teleskop-service.de

Practical Test Results .................................. see "User Reports" above

We have tested the flatteners on a variety of different refractor telescopes. The test included simple short tube achromats with f/5, longer focal length achromats, ED refractors and even triplet apochromats. On each instrument we tested the flattener on the TS Optics flattener performed at least equally well as, and in many cases even better than dedicated flatteners made for that particular telescope! At the same time field illumination was always improved!

The test images weren't taken for being aesthetically pleasant, but rather to get a precise idea of the image sharpness throughout the field and particularly towards the edges. Of course we will also add more "pretty" pictures with time!

Further test images taken with even more telescopes are available on request!

We recommend following products:

Optics Cleaning:

CleanPen 11,90 EUR* * excl.Shipping costs CleanPen - Optics Cleaning Pen with Pad and Brush	Reinigungstuch 6,00 EUR* * excl.Shipping costs BAADER Optical Wonder Microfiber Cleaning Cloth	Reinigungsflüssigkei 8,50 EUR* * excl.Shipping costs Baader Optical Wonder Cleaning Fluid with Dose Vaporizer
CleanerKit 6,50 EUR* * excl.Shipping costs Cleaning kit (five parts)

Adaptors:

BA2958214 11,00 EUR* * excl.Shipping costs Baader 14mm Hyperion Extension ring M48 2" filter thread	TSFlat2A 38,00 EUR* * excl.Shipping costs Adaptor kit for the TS 2" field flattener - package deal	TSVF220 29,00 EUR* * excl.Shipping costs Extension Tube - 2" - Filter thread - 20mm Length
TSVF215 29,00 EUR* * excl.Shipping costs Extension Tube - 2" - Filter thread - 15mm Length	TSVF230 29,00 EUR* * excl.Shipping costs Extension Tube - 2" - Filter thread - 30mm Length	TST2Vvar 25,00 EUR* * excl.Shipping costs TS Optics - variable T2 extension 20,5mm to 30mm
TSFA2 25,00 EUR* * excl.Shipping costs Adaptor 2" to T2 - low profile	2zKonter 29,00 EUR* * excl.Shipping costs 2" parfocalizing ring / CCD locking ring	BA2958130 32,00 EUR* * excl.Shipping costs Baader variable locking T-2 Extension 12-16mm # 33
BA1508153 16,00 EUR* * excl.Shipping costs Baader T2 Extension Tube 40mm # 25B	BA1508154 14,00 EUR* * excl.Shipping costs Baader T2 Extension Tube 15mm # 25A	BA1508155 13,00 EUR* * excl.Shipping costs Baader T2 Extension Tube 7.5mm # 25C
BA2958228 12,00 EUR* * excl.Shipping costs Baader Hyperion Extension Ring 28mm - 2" M48 Filterthread	TSM48vvar 25,00 EUR* * excl.Shipping costs TS variable M48 (2" filter thread) extension - 17-23 mm

Photo Acessories:

TSOAG27 169,00 EUR* * excl.Shipping costs TS Off Axis Guider - 27mm - 2" connection - for Astrophotography	TSOAG9T2 248,00 EUR* * excl.Shipping costs Off Axis Guider - only 9mm length - with T2 adaptation	T2EOS 20,00 EUR* * excl.Shipping costs T2 Adaptor for CANON EOS Cameras
T2NIKON 20,00 EUR* * excl.Shipping costs T2 Adaptor for NIKON Cameras	T2FourThirds 20,00 EUR* * excl.Shipping costs T2 Adaptor for Cameras with FOUR THIRDS Bayonet (e.g. Olympus Di	T2M42 20,00 EUR* * excl.Shipping costs T2 Adaptor for Cameras with M42 Thread (e.g. Pentax S)
T2CanonFD 20,00 EUR* * excl.Shipping costs T2 Adaptor for CANON FD Cameras	T2MinoltaMD/MF 20,00 EUR* * excl.Shipping costs T2 Adaptor for Minolta MD / MF models

upUser reports

A very nice picture taken by Manfred Konrad with a Chinese ED Refractor 80/600mm

This is what Mr. Konrad wrote about it:

Dear Mr. Ransburg,

Thank you very much for the quick delivery.

Yesterday evening we had clear skies for a short time, long enough to test the new Flattener. For testing I chose M27 (which has many surrounding stars). With the Orion 80ED and my converted Canon 300D I took 7 pictures with 300 seconds exposure time at 800 ASA each. (The moon was already rising and starting to light up the sky.)
I have attached the image. It is not supposed to be a pretty picture, for that more frames would be needed. The stars are nicely defined, including in the edges. For an exposure time of 35 minutes a lot of stars can be seen.
I am completely thrilled by the flattener, it is a major improvement for my ED and now I have an excellent image including the edges of the field.
Summarizing I can say: A great product which is worth the money.

Regards,
Manfred Konrad

The upper left corner at 100% resolution

Link to the full frame image at 100% resolution ............ large file!!!

Comparison of test images taken with completely different refractors on the same motive each:

The stars around Vega
Camera: Canon EOS 300D with astro conversion filter
Exposure time: 30 sec - no image processing (this explains the non-neutral colour of the images)
1st picture: uncropped full frame taken with the TS Flattener. The magnified frame is shown in the image
2nd picture: The magnified frame without field flattener
3rd picture: The same magnified frame with field flattener

The magnified frames correspond to 100% resolution. You can see any detail within the limits of the camera's resolution.
We have intentionally not used image processing in order to demonstrate the natural impression.
These are the raw images directly out of the camera!

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Comparison images with a Chinese ED 80/600mm (Celestron, Skywatcher, Orion, Vixen ...)

Full frame on ED 80 with TS Flattener

Magnified frame with ED 80 (lower right corner) without flattener

Magnified frame with ED 80 (lower right corner) with flattener

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Comparison images with a simple Chinese f/5 achromatic refractor with 80mm aperture
In order to test the flattener we have installed a 2" focuser. No other changes have been made to the telescope.
We have been able to focus without any problems due to the fact that the flattener does not move the focal plane.

Full frame on Achromat 80/400 with TS Flattener

Magnified frame (lower right corner) without flattener

Magnified frame (lower right corner) with flattener

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Comparison images with the Willilam Megrez 88
In direct comparison the image quality towards the edge as well as the illuminated field were better even than the original William Optics flattener!

Full frame on William Optics Megrez 88mm with TS Flattener

Magnified frame (lower left corner) without flattener

Magnified frame (lower left corner) with flattener

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Comparison images with the AstroProfessional ED 102

Full frame on Astro Professional ED 102mm with TS Flattener

Magnified frame (upper left corner) - equivalent to 100% resolution - without flattener, 30 sec
You can easily see the loss in image sharpness:

Magnified frame (upper left corner) - equivalent to 100% resolution - with flattener, 30 sec
The image sharpness is significantly improved and fainter stars become visible (higher limiting magnitude):