Lunt 40mm Generic equipment discussions · Tico · ... · 106 · 4518 · 32

Tico 0.00
...
Lunt 40mm can bé a good solar telescope? 
thanks.
Like
chimerasaurus 1.20
...
·  1 like
I just ordered one yesterday. If nobody else can share an experience, I’ll share once I get the scope and Seattle has sun. 

So, March.
Like
stevendevet 6.77
...
·  1 like
A quick search on google or YouTube can be a good resource for some reviews and experiences of the scope.

Lunt 40 review this one for example by Dylan O'Donnell.
I don't own it myself, I have a Coronado 40/400. But it looks like a good scope. With a far better focuser than the Coronado.
Edited ...
Like
spyderbyte 0.00
...
·  1 like
I just received a 50mm scope a few weeks back. Once I got the hang of tuning the etalon and  the helical focuser, it was awesome. I found using a black cloth to cover my head, I was able to see much better through the eyepiece. I hope you experience the same results. Looking forward to hear about your results.
Like
chimerasaurus 1.20
...
·  1 like
I got mine and tried it the one day we had sun. The results were quite good; this was with a generic 2x barlow . My biggest annoyance was actually the barlow and not the telescope.
Like
chimerasaurus 1.20
...
·  2 likes
A little advice,  Do not judge an h-alpha telescope based on photos you see posted by users manipulating the images.   

Pictures are very good at misrepresentation  and using the example by posted by James Malone.  His image is inverted and by no means represents anything you will see at the eyepiece.  It is also very offband from the actual h-alpha core of 656.28nm.   

The prominences are very poorly captured in his example which is not a good sign from a performance perspective; and this could be from tuning or the scope not performing well.



There are two possible scenarios for an h-alpha scope used for imaging. It could be incredible performance wise, and an inexperienced user may have a handicap in capturing/ processing which would render the telescope images useless for decision making purposes. 

 Or the user may be highly  skilled at imaging and processing with  know how in hiding flaws of a very poor performing h-alpha telescope with flats and drastic changes in sharpening and stacking and post processing light/gamma/histogram levels.


Unless one posts a single frame image, right from the capture program without enhancement there is a factor of trickery.  A good example is posting a screen shot of the capture program with real time view of the image showing all capture settings.



https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50080168991_18ff649587_k.jpg   <--- great performance of a calcium scope.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48577017462_135b9e9bd9_k.jpg   <--- extremely poor performance of an h-alpha scope.

Edited ...
Like
tomtom2245 1.20
...
·  3 likes
I own a Lunt 80mm and love the scope. Like mentioned, it can be tricky to judge a scope just by someone else's photos. Even a screenshot of a live view may not cut it. Being off on focusing, tuned slightly off band, atmosphere conditions that day, or any number of things can change how it looks. You may have great seeing one day with the best views you've ever seen and the next day the winds change and views are crap. My best advice would be to check one out in person first if possible. Then order from a reputable company that will allow you to return or exchange if there is something wrong. Before I bought mine, I actually went to the local Science Center and they had 3 models out for guests to look through. The view through the Lunt was the best IMO at the time, so I went with that one.
Like
Tailspin45 1.20
...
· 
·  1 like
It is also very offband from the actual h-alpha core of 656.28nm


If I may beg some advice,

I have a Lunt 40mm and, despite watching numerous tutorials and reading everything I can get my hands on, I still can't tell when I'm actually on band.

Also, I notice that as I tune a bright area moves across the face of the sun, but I have a hard time centering it (presuming that it is the sweet spot and should be centered).

I also suspect that centering the sun in the camera's field of view does  not produce the best image.

What did you see that led you to say that Malone's image was off band?
When tuning should a bright area move across the sun?
Am I correct that the best (sharpest) spot for the sun may not be dead center?
Like
jasondain 0.00
...
· 
·  1 like
I just ordered one of these as well.  Can't wait to try it.
Like
Tailspin45 1.20
...
· 
Jason dain:
I just ordered one of these as well.  Can't wait to try it.

Eager to hear your experiences and any tips or tricks you develop.

Did you get the SolarQuest mount, too? Its a gem. Battery powered I can set up mount, scope, and laptop in less than five minutes, focus and tune, and begin capturing images.

But...as my post above indicates, I still very much feeling my way. I've read everything of Cloudy Nights abut solar and Facebook about the Lunt 40, but frankly remain somewhat baffled despite managing to detect an exoplanet and produce some decent DSO images at night. Solar is a whole new ball game.

To be honest, I'm not entirely sure the scope is set up right. But a poor craftsman blames his tools and I'm not that guy, so I'm still trying to learn.
Edited ...
Like
jasondain 0.00
...
· 
·  1 like
No, I already have two Skywatcher EQ6R mounts and a Skyguider pro tracker so I'll just use those.  I've done some reading and watched some videos but frankly I'll be wading in blindfolded for the most part.  I will pass on any tricks I pick up as I go.

Thanks!
Edited ...
Like
Tico 0.00
...
· 
Hi, 

But the Lunt 40mm .... Worth? 
Regards, 
Pp.
Like
Tailspin45 1.20
...
· 
Hi, 

But the Lunt 40mm .... Worth? 
Regards, 
Pp.

Too early to tell. I've learned a lot but not enough. Until I know what I'm doing I can't judge.
Like
chimerasaurus 1.20
...
· 
·  1 like
FWIW, I enjoy the scope immensely. I am still developing an eye to tune it properly, but it’s great (for me) for the price. Why? It got me doing something I did not do before.
Like
jasondain 0.00
...
· 
@James Malone , would you be willing to share any raw video collected with the scope so I can practice some editing?  This will just be for personal use.  Thanks
Like
chimerasaurus 1.20
...
· 
·  1 like
Yeah, I will see if I have some left. If I do, I can put it online. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait until the sun blesses Seattle with it’s presence again.
Like
Andrecout 0.00
...
· 
Hi, is there an update weather  the Lunt 40 is worth for visual ? Also worth if you have a Coronado pst? with my pst I use  20 mm and 15 mm plossl eyepiece -  going higher  is not good for my model. Would like to know more about the Lunt  thanks. ( you also can answer another time)
Edited ...
Like
Andrecout 0.00
...
· 
Hi, can somebody tell some more about the Lunt 40?
Like
Andrecout 0.00
...
· 
André coutinho:
Hi, is there an update if  the Lunt 40 is worth for visual ? Also worth if you have a Coronado pst? with my pst I use  20 mm and 15 mm plossl eyepiece -  going higher  is not good for my model. Would like to know more about the Lunt  thanks. ( you also can answer another time)

Like
jasondain 0.00
...
· 
I have gotten my Lunt LS 40 with the Lunt 7.2 mm – 21.5mm Zoom Telescope Eyepiece.  I can see some pretty good surface detail and prominences.  I only had one session with bad seeing so can't say how well it works but it wasn't too bad. I'm more of a photography person and tried that too and it worked pretty well.
Like
jasondain 0.00
...
· 
·  1 like
Jan82022SolarImppg_ps.jpg

This was my first image from the other day.  Best 50 percent of 2000 images taken with asi290mm camera with bad seeing.  I was using 3ms exposures at gain 0.
Like
billybeyondhd 2.41
...
· 
·  1 like
I think its worth it, just got mine and tried imaging yesterday, its quite sharp when focussed well, I used focus edge detection in Sharpcap. I have a 2 x 2" Powermate but unfortunately, by the time I mount it, I can't get the scope to focus so I am assuming my back focus is well off. For me, this scope is just some fun and a chance to do some imaging during the day, very enjoyable.instagram.jpg
Like
jasondain 0.00
...
· 
·  1 like
Nice!  What camera did you use?  I'm hoping to get this level of detail with mine with better tuning, focus and seeing.  This looks like a color camera right?
Like
Andrecout 0.00
...
· 
Hi, I have no doubts anymore (!) that this new Lunt 40  would  blow a new pst on the marked away, ( much better light transmission and image quality) both visually and imaging- maybe even slightly  better then an older pst such as the " made in USA " and pre Meade model?  (slighly better light transmission and better focuser?)   This is all information I have collected in favor of the Lunt . I assume there will be still small differences between each model, but not big differences...oh yea, And some models may have that red glow sometimes in view, due to small inaccuracies in the etalon.  Good luck!  Lunt 40 👍
Edited ...
Like
billybeyondhd 2.41
...
· 
Jason dain:
Nice!  What camera did you use?  I'm hoping to get this level of detail with mine with better tuning, focus and seeing.  This looks like a color camera right?

Hi Jason,
I used a mono camera, the 290-MM planetary camera which I really enjoy using. Hoping for a little sun today to give the Lunt 40mm a go with a 2x Powermate :-)
Cheers,
Bill.
Like
 
Register or login to create to post a reply.