Is Anyone Using the WO Flat 61 R

William Optics Flat61R Flattener Focuser Troubleshooting
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John Noble avatar
John Noble avatar
Tried to use my new Flat 61 R last night and couldn’t get to focus. I’m very familiar with the WO adjustable flatterers but just couldn’t get to focus. 

Im using a ZWO ASI 2600 with filter wheel and OAG and have the adjustable flattened set to 1 mm as suggested. That gives the 56 mm back focus.

To reach focus I’d need to go negative on the focus tube - ie fully retracted still too far away!!!

I ended up switching back to my 61A which works fine at 31 mm of extension.

Im hoping I’ve just missed something!

I did switch out the rotator from the 61R with that from the 61A to get closer but still no deal.

Thanks

John
John Noble avatar
John Noble avatar
Ok I fixed it for future reference the focused extension with the Flat 61 R is around 9 mm and the 61 A is 30 mm. 

My filter wheel was clashing with the dove tail bar preventing me reaching the 9 mm - something that wasn’t obvious in the dark at 20 f. 

Another classic it’s dark and I’m cold error!

John
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Michael J. Mangieri avatar
Michael J. Mangieri avatar
I'd be curious what you think of the Flat 61R.  I'm having some serious coma and star distortion with my ZS61 and ASI2600.  Contacted WO about a possible defect in the flattener.  They gave me some things to try and so I'm waiting for clear skies to try again.
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John Noble avatar
John Noble avatar
Michael

I was able to get the set up working tonight I used the 1 mm off set recommended by WO and the field looked OK. I have a bit of tilt in one corner but I think the flattener is working just fine.

Good luck with yours

John
Michael J. Mangieri avatar
Michael J. Mangieri avatar
John,

After re-measuring everything and adding the ZWO Tilter to the mix I was finally able to get the Flat61R working.
Carles Dalmau avatar
Carles Dalmau avatar
Hi!
Is still everyone happy with the reducer?
Would someone want to sell his?
Thanks!
Carles.
Rob Kiefer avatar
Rob Kiefer avatar
Carles Dalmau:
Hi!
Is still everyone happy with the reducer?
Would someone want to sell his?
Thanks!
Carles.

I have the reducer. I struggled quite a bit finding a good backfocus. Then there was some tilt. After adding the Neumann Tilter, I was getting acceptable results. (I prefer spacers instead of adjustable reducer / flattener). Then I had some pinched optics as well and I had to loosen the set screws a bit. After sorting out all the little problems, the scope performs very well. Selling the reducer - nope, now the system is running quite well and I plan using it for some widefield images again. 
Rob
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