Hyperstar lens compatable with BYE

[Dirty Harris]

Dear Guylain, I am posting this question here in the Forum since its more for info than a technical question, hope this is the place to ask? The question is this, I am thinking of purchasing the "Starizona Hyperstar lens, that replaces the secondary mirror on my 11inch CPC/SCT Celestron scope. This allows you to step down the f-stop to as little as f-2, which allows for incredibly crisp clear photos of deep sky objects in just seconds instead of minutes. Thus eliminating the need for stacking lights, darks, bias,etc. It does however still require a capturing system. Starizona has one for the lens, and there are others as well, but I prefer to stay with BYE which I am familiar with and have had for years now. The real question is would you or any of the good folks in the forum have knowledge as to weather or not BYE is compatable with this Starizona Hyperstar lens as a capturing system? I await your reply, best regards and clear skies your way. Dirty Harris Colo. USA.

[astroman133]

There is no reason that BYE is not compatible with the HyperStar. The camera doesn't know the difference and neither does BYE.

 

With the 8" and to a lesser extent the 9.25" SCTs the amount of light that is blocked by the camera body is significant, but this goes away with the larger apertures.

 

I would also recommend covering the view finder to prevent light leakage.

 

I do not know how well LiveView focusing works when Hyperstar mounted, but you can always take short still exposures to help you focus.

 

Good luck!

[Dirty Harris]

Thanks Rick for the reply. I too could not see any valid reason that it wouldn't work either, but when one considers the cost of the lens,(around $1000.00)shipping and handling and all, I just wanted to be doubly sure. Take care and again thanks for the input. Dirty Harris, Colorado, USA.

[s3igell]

This allows you to step down the f-stop to as little as f-2, which allows for incredibly crisp clear photos of deep sky objects in just seconds instead of minutes.

 

A Hyperstar setup for a Celestron SCT does not "allow you to step down the f-stop to as little as f/2".  Rather it removes the secondary Mirror, which leaves you with only the F/2 Primary Mirror.  There are No Intermediary "F-stops", but rather just the new Focal Length of just the Primary Mirror.

 

That Significantly Shorter Focal Length means that you will have a Massively Wider Field-of-View.  The SCT that was a Great Long Focal Length Scope for Deep DSOs is now a massively WIDE Wide-Field Lens that is only good for capturing the largest of DSOs (M31, M42, M45) or regions (Deneb-Sadr) or smaller Constellations - all other DSOs will be very small.

[Dirty Harris]

Thanks s3igell, for the input, I will take it under advisement. It sounds as though you may have had first hand experience with the Starizona Hyperstar lens and an SCT scope like my 11inch Celestron? If so, what luck if any did you have? We're you at all satisfied with the product? I am trying to weigh the pro's and con's of purchasing one myself, thanks again for any input, Dirty Harris, Colo. USA.

[s3igell]

I don't own a HyperStar Rig, as my C9.25 SCT predates the necessary Removeable Secondary feature.

 

My experience is from working with a couple of Club Members on their HyperStar.

 

A HyperStar Rig is a GREAT Addition to one's Imaging Gear - but one needs to understand the Details of What HyperStar Is and Brings to one's Imaging.

[Dirty Harris]

Thanks again s3igell, your input and that of Astroman 133 is greatly appreciated, I'll try to let you all know how well it works on my Celestron 11 inch rig. It is "Fastar" compatible with the Starizona Hyperstar lens allowing removal of the secondary mirror safely, and reinsertion after imaging. My only problem now is getting my financial adviser ( aka Wife) to let me purchase one, again thank you both and the Forum in general, Dirty Harris, Colorado, USA.