Tele Vue Optics: Tele Vue-NP101is

Tele Vue-NP101is

Ilias Ntagioglou's Images

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Ilias Ntagioglou Images with the Tele Vue-NP101is

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Dear Mr. Nagler,

I have been involved in amateur astronomy for as long as I can remember. At 39, I'm now an Information and Communications Technology engineer currently employed at the Research Committee of National Technical University of Athens. For many years I used my old 80mm refractor for observing. Four years ago I switched to my first 10" dob which I gave up as soon as I tried astrophotography. I knew then that astrophotography was what I really enjoyed. My next three scopes where various 3"-5" refractors used for astro-imaging. Each and every one, though looking OK at the beginning, disappointed me in various aspects (optical performance, residual color, focuser-oh what a pain those focusers!) Every time those scopes let me down, this image of a beauty illustrated on the second page of almost every issue of Astronomy came to mind. "I have to get this NP101is!" And, so I did!

When I first looked through my brand new NP101is (it was Jupiter at 250x) an amazing feeling filled my mind and soul, what a brilliant and vibrant view that was! I very soon coupled my camera/filter-wheel and focuser driver, and went for my next astrophotos. All I can say is that imaging with my NP101is is a real joy in itself! The focuser is sturdy yet smooth and accurate, and autofocus with Focusmaster works flawlessly. Stars are pinpoint all over my sensor and there's no false color at all. My images come out as contrasty, sharp and vivid as I always wanted!

I also want to tell you how impressed I and some fellow imagers are with the light throughput of NP101is optics. At last weekend's Mt. Parnon star party we took a series of L shots of the same Rho Ophiouchi region with various scopes (3 short widefield refractors). My shots captured much more detail in less time (8min vs 10min subs of others) despite my almost dew covered objective. At f/5.4 it's already a photon-eater, at f/4.3 it's killer indeed!

All these images where shot with my NP101is and a KAF8300 camera (QHY9), TV FocusMaster & TV Focusmate Driver with FocusMax.
I use a HEQ5Pro equatorial and a QHY5 camera on a f/11 80mm old good quality refractor for guiding.
I have the Baader HaLRGB 2" filter set on a StarlightXpress USB filter wheel.

Best regards and clear skies,

Ilias Ntagioglou
Athens, Greece

Gamma Cygni Nebula Mosaic

4 hour total exposure: 50min Lum, 100min Ha, 26min Red, 24min Green, 40min Blue

Reflection and Dark Nebulae in Cepheus

6.8 hour total exposure: 260min Lum, 45min Red, 45min Green, 60min Blue. Winner of the October 2011 Cloudy Nights Imaging and Sketching Contest

Ghost Nebula in Cepheus

3.9 hour total exposure: 150min Lum, 15min Red, 15min Green, 22.5min Blue

Double Cluster

1 hour total exposure: 30min Lum, 10min Red, 10min Green, 10min Blue

Pillars of Creation

2.8 hour total exposure: 45min Lum, 70min Ha, 15min Red, 15min Green, 20min Blue

vdb152 in Cepheus

5.7 hour total exposure: 190min Lum, 45min Red, 45min Green, 60min Blue

Tulip Nebula area

4.3 hour total exposure: 30min Lum, 180min Ha, 15min Red, 15min Green, 20min Blue. Cygnus X1 indicated.

Lagoon Nebula

3.8 hour total exposure: 30min Lum, 160min Ha, 12min Red, 12min Green, 15min Blue

California Nebula

3.3 hour total exposure at f/4.3 (TV 0.8x reducer), 40min Lum, 80min Ha, 25min Red, 25min Green, 30min Blue

Part of Gamma Cygni Nebula

1.5 hour total exposure, 30min Lum, 30min Ha, 10min Red, 10min Green, 12.5min Blue

North America and Pelican

3.7 hour total exposure at f/4.3 (with TV 0.8x reducer), 220min Ha from within the city of Athens!

Rosette Nebula

3.3 hour total exposure at f/4.3 (TV 0.8x reducer), 35min Lum, 120min Ha, 12.5min Red, 12.5min Green, 15min Blue

Iris Nebula

4.2 hour total exposure, 150min Lum, 33min Red, 33min Green, 33min Blue