Re: OPTICS FOR TASS: REFLECTOR OR REFRACTOR?

[Cameron Tully-Smith <cameron@zippy.sonoma.edu>]

At 08:43 PM 1/6/98 -0600, you wrote:
>3)  OK, we could look at existing folded optics.  Glenn Gombert suggested a 
>500mm f/5.6 Maksutov at $209.95.  This is a pretty good suggestion.  It is
one
>of the ones to beat.  We don't know how well these cover the corners of the 
>CCD.  Perhaps someone will step forward and make some tests.  Benoit are
>you listening?

I have an Orion MAK-500 (500mm f/5.6; same as the Pro-Optic, which,
I'm guessing, is the one that sells for $209.95).  The field gets
covered pretty well when using 35mm film.  There's a sample image
up at http://www.wco.com/~shareimg/photographs/halebopp.html
(the left of the two; just click for a medium-sized image).  
I can provide high-resolution negative scans 
if anyone wants them...  I also have various photos of blue sky and
a gray card that roughly show the field illumination.  Also, I have a 
ST-4 on order and can test the Mak with it, although I realize that
the ST-4 has a much smaller CCD than the one that you're talking about.

Cameron :)
Cameron Tully-Smith
cameron@cs.sonoma.edu
http://www.cs.sonoma.edu/~cameron