TS PHOTOLINE 2" Flattener and Field Corrector for Refractors
With the TSFLAT2, a professional field corrector for apochromats, EDs and normal Fraunhofer achromats is available to the astrophotographer. The corrector is suitable for refractors from f/4 to f/9. In comparison with other 2" correctors, the TSFLAT2 offers some advantages:
Better illumination, even full-frame size sensors can be used. Generous working distance between 108 mm and 128 mm, depending on the focal length of the telescope. M48x0.75 - 2" filter thread at the telescope side for filters and at the camera side for further adaptions. Also visually usable, depending on the eyepiece. Often the sharpnesss in the field can be improved. Easy adaption vie 2" barrel - with the adapter package TSFLAT2A you get a complete adaptation from the flattener to the camera from Teleskop-Service.Astrophotographic results made with this corrector on Astrobin
Here you can find astrophotos taken with this corrector:
Link to AstrobinThe recommended distances from the M48x0.75 thread to the camera sensor
In principle this rule applies: the shorter the refractor´s focal length, the longer the working distance to the sensor has to be.
focal length < 450 mm: 128 mm focal length 450-490 mm: 123 mm focal length 500-550 mm: 118 mm focal length 560-590 mm: 116 mm focal length 600-690 mm: 113 mm focal length 700-800 mm: 111 mm focal length ab 800 mm: 108 mmAn underrun or an overrun of the distance of up to 5% has no visible effect on the sharpness in the field of sensors with formats up to APS-C. With larger sensors, the tolerance is reduced to 1-2%.
The TSFLAT2 - practical results
The TSFLAT2 in comparison with an 80 mm f/7 ED refractor Image 1: without Flattener - stars at the edge Image 2: with a corrector from the manufacturer Image 3: with the TSFLAT2 - best defined stars at the edgeM27 with the Skywatcher Evostar 80 ED - corrected with the TSFLAT2The photograph was taken with a Canon EOS DSLR camera. We congratulate Mr. Konrad on the result.
The stars at the edge of the M27 image at full magnificationThe peripheral region is shown at full magnification here. The TSFLAT2 offers an optimal image without halos or distorted stars to the edge.
Reports and images by testers Florian Stürzer and Simon Stich aka galacticdudes
The two dedicated amateur astronomers from Grafing tried out the TSAPO80F7 refractor with the two correctors TSRed279 and TSFLAT2, using a Canon EOS 60D.
The test reports in German language can be found as PDFs here:
Testing the TSAPO80F7 refractor with the TSFLAT2 flattener.
Test of the TSRed279 reducer.
The images clearly show the potential of the combination:
Flame Nebula and Horsehead Nebula (NGC 2024 and B 33)Photographers: Florian Stürzer and Simon Stich
Telescope: TSAPO80F7 on mount Orion Atlas EQ-G
Imaging camera: Canon EOS 60D
Flattener & field corrector: TSFlat2
Filter: none
Sensitivity: ISO 1600/33
Frames: 19x 300 s
Pleiades (M 45)Photographers: Florian Stürzer and Simon Stich
Telescope: TSAPO80F7 on mount Orion Atlas EQ-G
Imaging camera: Canon EOS 60D
Flattener & field corrector: TSFlat2
Filter: none
Sensitivity: ISO 1600/33
Frames: 38x 180 s
Note: Possibility of comparison with the following image taken with TSRed279
Pleiades (M 45)Photographers: Florian Stürzer and Simon Stich
Telescope: TSAPO80F7 on mount Orion Atlas EQ-G
Imaging camera: Canon EOS 60D
Corrector & reducer: TSRed279
Filter: none
Sensitivity: ISO 1600/33
Frames: 22x 180 s
Note: Possibility of comparison with previous image taken with TSFlat2
Heart Nebula (IC 1805)Photographers: Florian Stürzer and Simon Stich
Telescope: TSAPO80F7 on mount Orion Atlas EQ-G
Imaging camera: Canon EOS 60D
Corrector & reducer: TSRed279
Filter: none
Sensitivity: ISO 1600/33
Frames: 22x 450 s
Pelican Nebula (IC 5070)Photographers: Florian Stürzer and Simon Stich
Telescope: TSAPO80F7 on mount Orion Atlas EQ-G
Imaging camera: Canon EOS 60D
Corrector & reducer: TSRed279
Filter: none
Sensitivity: ISO 1600/33
Frames: 10x 450 s
Lagoon Nebula and Trifid Nebula (M 8 and M 20)Photographers: Florian Stürzer and Simon Stich
Telescope: TSAPO80F7 on mount Orion Atlas EQ-G
Imaging camera: Canon EOS 60D
Corrector & reducer: TSRed279
Filter: none
Sensitivity: ISO 1600/33
Frames: 22x 300 s
Andromeda Galaxy (M 31)Photographers: Florian Stürzer and Simon Stich
Telescope: TSAPO80F7 on mount Orion Atlas EQ-G
Imaging camera: Canon EOS 60D
Corrector & reducer: TSRed279
Filter: none
Sensitivity: ISO 1600/33
Frames: 20x 300 s
Triangulum Galaxy (M 33)Photographers: Florian Stürzer and Simon Stich
Telescope: TSAPO80F7 on mount Orion Atlas EQ-G
Imaging camera: Canon EOS 60D
Corrector & reducer: TSRed279
Filter: none
Sensitivity: ISO 1600/33
Frames: 15x 450 s
Many thanks to Florian Stürzer and Simon Stich from Germany for these wonderful images!