Celestron 52265 C90 Maksutov Spotting Scope
by Celestron
(Click here)
Digital product summary information
Manufacturer: CelestronModel: 52265
Product features:
- Multi-Coated Optics
- Rubber Armor Protective Covering for Secure Grip
- Water Resistant Case
- Internal Flip Mirror System for Terrestrial and Astronomical Use
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
- Slik Heavy-Duty Tripod with 3-Way Fluid-Effect Head and Built-In Bubble Level
- Celestron Omni 2X Barlow Lens
- Celestron 93635-A T-Adapter for NexStar 4GT
- Adorama Professional Lens Cleaning Kit
- Sunpak 620-757B Ultra Series Tripod
Digital camera reviews of Celestron 52265 C90 Maksutov Spotting Scope
Digital camera Review: Great spotting scope, but not so great for photos
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a good spotting scope, and for the money it is hard to get something better. The only reason why I am giving it 4 stars is that if you want to use it as a 1200mm lens for your DSLR camera, you will be dissapointed. I also found the included eye piece to be slightly unconfortable, and I had to keep my eye/head very still or else the image will dissapear.
Pros:
Cheaper than many other spotting scopes.
Accepts standard telescope eye pieces
No chromatic aberrations
Low distortion
Well built - it fell off my tripod twice (the tripod mount was not the best) and it survived without any damage.
It can be used both for terrestrial and astronomical use.
Can be mounted (with a T-ring adaper) to a DSLR camera (prime focus).
Cons:
A little bulky and heavy, so you need a GOOD tripod. Don't even think of using a cheap Chinese tripod, it will just not work with it.
f/13.3, which is pretty slow. That means it's not so good for low light conditions, and if you plan to use it as a telephoto lens, you'll need a high ISO (something like 800 or 1600, even during optimal conditions). Keep in mind that the long focal length will magnify even the smallest vibration.
The resolution is not so good when used as a telephoto lens. For example, if you take a picture of a full moon, and then view the picture at 100%, it will not be sharp, no matter how much you try. Same thing with birds and other terrestrial objects. And this is not due to the atmosphere movement.
Due to the design (secondary mirror obstructs some of the light), the real aperture is slightly smaller, and you lose a little contrast as well.
If you plan to use it as a telephoto lens, you should be aware that focusing is very, very difficult. Unless if you have a camera capable of Live View, you will find that many photos are out of focus. This is also due to the very shallow depth of field.
To conclude the review, if you do not plan to use it for photography, then you can't go wrong with it. If you do plan to use it for photography as well, go on flickr.com and search for Celestron c90 to see some samples from different users, then decide if the quality is good enough for you.
Summary of Celestron 52265 C90 Maksutov Spotting Scope
The Maksutov optical design is recognized for being a portable design that is easy to use and has a variety of applications, making it an excellent choice for both terrestrial and astronomical usage. This C90 Mak has excellent optics with razor sharp images over a wide field. The C90 Mak features an internal flip mirror design which allows the user to view celestial objects at a 90 degree angle and also corrects the image orientation to view land objects at a 45 degree angle. The full-featured C90 MAK is also rubber covered and completely waterproof. This model features durable black rubber armor for protection, a flip up lens cap for safety, and it comes complete inside its own soft sided carrying case.Celestron's C90 Maksutov Spotting Scope delivers high powered optics in a compact, waterproof system. The rubber armored C90 Mak features Multi-Coated optics, magnification with the standard 32mm plossl eyepiece is 38X, and a correct image prism and 8x21 correct image finder scope are included. The C90 and accessories come in a padded case with room for an extra eyepiece or two.
The Maksutov-Cassegrain design of the C90 uses a combination of mirrors and lenses; this "folded" optical system has a focal length of 1200mm in a body only nine inches long. The Maksutov design delivers high power views without a trace of the chromatic aberration, also called blue fringing, that distorts high power views in competing refractor style spotting scopes. At 40X magnification where some low cost spotting scopes are starting to seem fuzzy, the C90 is just getting started. The C90 uses the same 1.25 inch eyepieces used in astronomical telescopes. The standard equipment 32mm plossl eyepiece gives a magnification of 38X, but many other eyepieces can be used to vary the magnification. A nice upgrade is Celeston's 8 to 24mm Zoom Eyepiece , which allows you to dial in any magnification from 50X up to 150X.
A unique feature of the C90 is the internal flip mirror which allows viewing astronomical objects overhead or terrestrial objects with the 45 degree correct image prism. When I focus on the Moon and planets at night the view is crisp and clear; I can easily make out details like small craters and mountain peaks inside some of the Moon's large craters. When I looked at Jupiter the other night with an optional 12.5mm X-Cel eyepiece (about 100X magnification), I could easily see Jupiter's major cloud bands. The C90 also makes a handy spotting scope in the daytime because it's small and portable. I can easily transport the scope and a tripod to the lake when I want to do a little wildlife spotting.
High magnification viewing requires a solid tripod, of course. Celestron's Photo and Video Tripod seems steady enough for visual use but it seems a little light for photography. The other drawback to high magnification viewing is a narrow field of view; high magnification makes it harder to follow moving targets like birds in flight.
Overall the Celestron C90 Maksutov Spotting Scope does a fine job as a companion to good pair of binoculars. With my 8x40 binoculars I could see two Western Grebes on the lake; with the C90 I could zoom in and watch as the adult grebe offered a freshly caught fish to its offspring. The C90 also doubles as a portable astronomy scope; it won't show the flag on the Moon but it will show thousands of craters on the Moon as well as showing the moons of Jupiter and the rings of Saturn. --Jeff Phillips
Pros:
- Compact yet powerful
- Upgradeable with 1.25" eyepieces
- Adaptable for astronomy and photography
- Narrow field of view
- Needs a solid tripod
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