The idea of controlling my telescope with a laptop running Linux appealed to me greatly. For this I needed to get the correct cable connector for the LX90, as pictured below.
#505 Cable Connector - Cost: 30,000 KRW
I suspect these parts could have been obtained at a fraction of the cost from the Yongsan electrical mart. However, I went with the manufacturer’s parts.
USB Serial Converter
I also needed this USB Serial Converter from Future Technology Devices International, as the standard serial port wouldn’t work.
Canon T-Ring
Variable Camera Adapter
Variable Camera Adapter. I ordered a Meade but I got a generic model. The screws are inferior to what are pictured here. It also seemed used. So, I won’t be using that dealer again.
These are excellent.
Nikon 7x50IF SP WP
The specs
- Superior optical design for aberration-free observation, built especially for astronomical use
- Multilayer-coated lenses for a bright image
- Waterproof up to 5m/16.4 ft. (2m/6.6 ft. for 10×70IF SP WP) for 5 minutes and fog-free with O-ring seals and nitrogen gas
- High-eyepoint design
- Can be fixed to a tripod using optional tripod adaptor
- Polarising filter and horn-shaped rubber eyecup are available
Oh, and they’re priced at 1,190,000 KRW
But if I had the money, I’d would have bought these:
Nikon 10x50IF SP WP
Cameras:
 Pentax ME Super |
 Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ-20 |
Canon EOS 50D
Lenses for the Canon 50D:
 50mm f1.8 II |
 EF 17-40mm f4 L |
EF 70-200mm f2.8 L IS
For a tripod, I settle on the Manfrotto 055XPROB, after much research. I’ll also use it for astronomy viewing with a pair of Nikon binoculars.
Cost: around 168,000 KRW
For the tripod head, I decided on the Manfrotto 488RC2
Cost: around 89,000 KRW
The prices for eyepieces in Korea are way too high. Sometimes you can find some on special. However, I’ve had to order from overseas, and even though I have to pay shipping, I’m still better off.
You can see the inflated Korean prices below, the exchange rate being approximately 1,000 Won to $1 US.
What I have:
| Model |
Korean Price (Won) |
Price Paid |
Retailer |
| 26 mm Meade Super Plossl |
- |
Kit Piece |
- |
| 24.5 mm Meade Super Wide (68 deg.) |
390,000-440,000 |
97,500 Won |
Sun-Photo |
| 32 mm Tele Vue Plossl |
180,000 |
$119.00 US |
All-Star Telescope * |
| 2.5x Tele Vue Powermate |
380,000 |
$209.00 US |
All-Star Telescope * |
* All-Star Telescope charge a flat rate of $30 shipping; payment is by money order, which also incurs a fee.
What I want:
| Model |
Price (Won or Dollars) |
| 22 mm Tele Vue Panoptic |
440,000 |
| 20 mm Vixen Lanthanum (60 deg.) |
240,000 |
| 14 mm Pentax XW Wide-Field (65/70 deg.) |
300,000 |
| 13 mm Tele Vue Ethos |
950,000 |
| 8 mm Tele Vue Ethos |
$579.00 |
The following is the range of magnifications I should end up with, based on the standard formula of telescope focal length divided by eyepiece focal length. The focal length of my Meade, an 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain, is 2000 mm.
| Focal Length |
Magnification x |
With a Barlow 2x |
With a Powermate 2.5x |
| 32 mm |
62.50 |
125.00 |
156.25 |
| 26 mm |
76.92 |
153.85 |
192.30 |
| 24.5 mm |
81.63 |
163.27 |
204.07 |
| 22 mm |
90.91 |
181.82 |
227.27 |
| 20 mm |
100.00 |
200.00 |
250.00 |
| 14 mm |
142.86 |
285.71 |
357.15 |
| 8 mm |
250.00 |
500.00 |
625.00 |
I included the 8 mm as another potential buy sometime down the line.
