TS-Optics REFRACTOR 1.0x Flattener and Field Corrector - 2" connection

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 Astrobin

The 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 mm

An 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 edge

M27 with the Skywatcher Evostar 80 ED - corrected with the TSFLAT2

The 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 magnification

The 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!

Question:
How do I best connect the TSFLAT2 to the telescope??

Answer from Teleskop-Service:
The easiest way is the adapter kit TSFLAT2A, we take over the adaptation to the telescope for you. For all astrophotographers who like to plan the adaptation themselves, we have the following tip:

Connection to 2" focusers without additional thread:

The body of the TSFLAT2 has exactly 2" diameter. The flattener should always be countersunk in the focuser, a clean stop can be obtained with the 2ZKonter, a counter ring that is placed over the 2" barrel.

Connection to focusers with internal thread M63x1 or M68x1:

With the adapter M63a-M48a you can screw on the flattener without jamming. Screw the TSFLAT2 into the M48 internal thread of the adapter and then screw the adapter into the M63x1 thread of the focuser. You must reduce the working distance of the TSFLAT2 to the sensor by 6.5 mm (length of the M63a-M48a). If your focuser has an M68x1 internal thread, you need the adapter M68a-M63i.


Question:
How do you have to measure the working distance?

Answer from Teleskop-Service:
The working distance is measured from the beginning of the connection thread on the housing of the corrector (see example picture):