Antares 1.25" 0.5x Focal Reducer

4.0 Good reducer

Strong Construction,Easy to Use

This is a great focal reducer for astrophotography or visual applications. Lowers the magnification and gives a wider view.

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

4.0 Great lens; gimpy threads

Quality Lenses

Poor Threads

I have enjoyed this for visual in a variety of configurations. Works well with widefields (like 9mm Z100) in C90 and C6 in 0.5x mode. Works well on barrel of most any EP for minor reduction at most any F/ratio. I successfully use a pair of these with 0.5" spacers on end of EPs for binoviewing. With BV unit barlowed and EPs on reducers the lightpath is significantly shorter. Poor threads.

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

2.0 Loose Threads

Compact,Easy to Use,Quality Lenses

Undersize Threads

As some other reviewers have noted, the threaded section is way undersized and will not engage a standard 1.25" thread. You need to put about 5 layers of Teflon tape on it to make it take hold. Once you do that, it works fine.

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

3.0 Undersized external threads

Difficult to Use

The reducer I received had way-undersized external threads. It slipped right into my Orion Starshoot nosepiece without threading. I had to put about 4 layers of teflon tape over the threads so that the reducer would stay in. Other than that it seems like a fine product. Someone just messed up when they were cutting the threads.

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

4.0 Item works as described

Easy to Use,Quality Lenses

Not the amount of reduction I thought it would be. I need to be more understanding of image reduction. My fault

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

4.0 Quick delivery to Norway - good quality

Quality Lenses,Drobak,Easy to Use

Astrophotography

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

5.0 A must have for video astronomy

Lightweight,Quality Lenses,Strong Construction,Easy to Use,Compact

No Protective Case

If you as me use a video camera for astronomy you need a quality focal reducer as the Antares 0.5x, to lower the magnification on the small CCD cameras chips. I use this with a Celestron Nexstar 8se with a Celestron 6.3 focal reducer and the Antares 0.5 focal reducer attached to a SCB2000 camera at the nosepiece adapter. This give me an aprox 3.3 focal ratio, enought for deep sky observing.

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

2.0 Optics great, reducer threads poor

Quality Lenses

The optics are great but the threads on the adapter for attaching to the eyepiece or imager (1.25") are poorly made. Adapter when screwed on will come off and possibly damage your optics. Ask the seller to check the fit before sending out. Seller was willing to inspect and exchange reducer for only shipping charges (I didn't test reducer until clear skies and after 30 days from purchase, very fair offer)

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

2.0 Antares 1.25" 0.5X FR Threads

Easy to Use

Poor Thread Diameter

I used this in the 1.25inch scope nosepiece for my astro imaging video camera in the telescope. I have several Antares color filters also 1.25" which thread in fine and tight as expected. The focal reducer threads are so loose you can just push it in....I needed several layers of teflon tape to make a tight fit. Several other astronomer types have also noted this looseness. Sad part is, the optics are great. Someone is badly mis-machining this piece for many people who cannot afford the cost of returning it.

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

4.0 Good for astrophotography

Quality Lenses,Lightweight,Compact,Easy to Use

Difficult To Focus

Overall a good focal reducer. Gives variable power according to its placement in your configuration. I bought this mainly for planetary/lunar webcam astrophotography. Works fairly well on my SCT, not quite as well with my much faster achromatic refractor. As this F/R greatly reduces exposure time it seems to introduce some added chromatic abberation and field curvature, not noticeable in my SCT but definately in the refractor. This makes precise focus difficult to find and webcam gain control touchy. Works down to about F5 for me then becomes too unuseable.

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

5.0 PERFECT

Accurate,Strong Construction,Lightweight,Easy to Use,Quality Lenses

Just what I need to increase the field of view for shots of the moon and nature pics. Works perfect on my 70mm refractor.

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

5.0 Antares .5 focal reducer

Strong Construction,Lightweight,Quality Lenses,Accurate,Easy to Use,Compact

I use this product only for astronomy with a CCD camera the 1.25 size screws right into the nose piece of the camera and brightens the object by a factor of 4 cutting down exposure times and making tracking more simplier. Also 1.25 filters screw right into the reducer giving me even more control of the final out come of the picture.

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

5.0 A good, high quality item.

Quality Lenses,Compact,Easy to Use

A good product to use for introductory CCD photography.

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

4.0 Excellent performance for the price

Affordable,Quality Lenses,Strong Construction

Label wears off quickly

I typically use this reducer in conjunction with an image intensifier so it provides plenty of extra light gathering power with smaller aperture scopes. I find it a must-have accessory. The only downside to this product is the label--it wears off very quickly. If it were resold, nobody would know who built it or its power. Within only a few days most of the product label had chipped off. Aside from this small drawback, the optical coatings are excellent and the construction is as expected. It also performs optically as a focal reducer should. I didn't notice any severe distortion at the edges or loss of color quality. If the label didn't chip off so quickly, I would have given this product 5 stars.

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

5.0 Essential Video Accessory

Quality Lenses,Full FOV,Lightweight

I use this with my Samsung SBC-2000 camera and Celestron CPC925 telescope. A focal reducer is essetial for astro-video to image deep space objects or to fit larger objects, such as the moon within the field of view. I am still rather proud of my first images of the Dumbbell and Ring Nebulae.

With and inexpensive camera such as the Samsung SBC-2000 further reduction is required for dimmer objects. I use the .5x and a Celestron f/6.3 reducer-corrector.

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

4.0 Great product for the price

Does the job,Strong Construction,Quality Lenses

None to speak of

Good product for the price. Greatly added to my ability to image with a low light camera. The lower the focal ratio, the more light gathered. It's a must have for imaging with a telescope.

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

5.0 Excellent for imaging with a Newtonian

Brightens image,Doubles field of view,Easily interchanged,Halves the f ratio,Easy to Use

I use this focal reducer with a 4.5", f/8 Newtonian, primarily for astrophotography using a small CCD camera. The reducer brightens the image and increases the field of view, decreasing the time required to get a good image and also decreasing the required tracking accuracy of my low-end mount. With this reducer, I get round stars to the edges of my images. I was worried I might not be able to reach focus with the reducer in place, but I can both with my camera and with my eyepieces. I'm tempted to buy a second reducer for a parfocal eyepiece so I never need to swap between the camera and the eyepiece (and the price is low enough this is an option), but because the reducer is threaded it is still pretty easy to swap. I also like the fact that it is threaded on both sides, so it is also easy to use with filters.

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

5.0 All Pros and No Cons

Easy to Use,Lightweight,Compact,Quality Lenses

I purchased for use with a modified Samsung SBC-2000 CCD security camera on a Celestron CPC925. An SCT's long focal length (f/10) requires a focal reducer when using a camera. This Canadian made reducer is a great compromise between the GSO models and those at a much higher price point. It has better clear aperture than the GSO and some others.

In short, the price is good, the workmanship excellent, and the performance is all that one could ask of this essential bit of optical gear.

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

5.0 A handy little necessity at a fair price

Strong Construction

This is one of those little things that you always wish you had when you're already set up and it's the middle of the night. I was glad to get it to have on hand.

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

5.0 A must have accessory

Great picture quality,Good price value,Strong Construction,Accurate,Compact,Quality Lenses

None

This product gave me the wide angle that I was looking for in my astrophotography.

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

4.0 Antares 1.25" .5x Focal reducer

Price, quality (especially for the price)

The case could be a little better

I bought this reducer for use with my Meade DSI - C and 100mm F/6 refractor and I couldn't be happier. I was skeptical at first due to so many warnings about "cheap" reducers and their problems with coma/ elongated stars, etc. But I can say, at least about this one, they couldn't be more wrong. I have had absolutely no problems with elongated stars and such. It works (IMHO) perfectly! Very solid construction. It also comes with a decent storage case, but...... Although the case is made of quite sturdy plastic, 2 separate pieces, I'm not fond of how it closes. I feel like it comes open too easily. I'm nervous that if it were to get jostled around, while in my EP case, that it might open and fall out. To avoid that I just keep it in the Agena box also.
All in all, I'm extremely pleased with it and would suggest everyone consider the Antares before spending hundreds on other brands.

5.0 Very good FR

Quality Lenses,Accurate

If you've got a big scope, odds are eventually you're going to want a focal reducer. If you're looking for a 1.25" 0.5x FR, this is the one!

Quality is great, and the images are wonderful. I couldn't be happier!

Highly recommended!

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

5.0 A reduction in image, but not quality

Everything is fantastic

None

This fine reducer will bring your target down to size, without distorting the view or the contrast. I use the reducer in an Orion Deep Space Imager, a Philips SPC900NC webcam, a Toucam 840k webcam, and several different telescopes without any problems at all. I've even used it in the viewing path of my Coronado PST.

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

5.0 Antares 0.5x 1.25" Focal Reducer

Great accessory to have,No false color created,Works great

None

Very nice focal reducer at a good price. Has many uses! Works great on my Meade DSI-color imager! Also works on any of my eyepieces for extra wide views!I have been using this Antares 0.5x focal reducer on many of my astro-imaging equipment, like my Philips spc900nc webcam, the Meade imager, plus works great on my cheap webcam! This is a must for imaging, especially when your webcam is the size of a 6mm eyepiece, this turns the webcam into a 20mm eyepiece!

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

5.0 A reduction in image, but not quality

Everything about this item is fantastic!

None

This fine reducer will bring your target down to size, without distorting the view or the contrast. I use the reducer in an Orion Deep Space Imager, a Philips SPC900NC webcam, a Toucam 840k webcam, and several different telescopes without any problems at all. I've even used it in the viewing path of my Coronado PST.

5.0 Antares 0.5x 1.25" Focal Reducer

No false color created from just a coated lens!! Works great on all astronomy stuff

No bad comments, just a great accessory to have!!

Very nice focal reducer for under $40. Has many uses! Works great on my Meade DSI-color imager! Also works on any of my eyepieces for extra wide views!

I have been using this Antares 0.5x focal reducer on many of my astro-imaging equipment, like my Philips spc900nc webcam, the Meade imager, plus works great on my cheap Wal-Mart webcam! This is a must for imaging, especially when your webcam is the size of a 6mm eyepiece, this turns the webcam into a 20mm eyepiece!

5.0 Excellent reducer for SCT

Sharp for visual use; Works great with reflex for astro-imaging; Price very good

Doesn't work with binoviewer

I bought this item from agenaastro.com, and I tried it on my Meade LX90. It works great (with my W.O. 20mm Superwide).

No problem for focus. Very sharp views! Price is very good. I expect to use it with my Celestron C9.25. Work good too with my EOS350D (direct focus config.).