ultima 2x

Hi all
This is my first post so please bear with me as I find my way around this forum, I have just found this forum and have found some interesting subjects dicussed. So here goes, my problem is due to finacial restrictions,(my wifes words not mine) I can get one barlow for xmas, I would like a televue 3 or 4x but it looks like it will be a ultima 2x, can I use the ultima along with my own 2x barlow which came in a kit to give me over 4x and would two barlows degrade the image and by how much, would I be better off waiting and saving for a televue. With the two barlows and the basic neximage camera I have it would be a long train and I would be worried if they hit the mount they might damage the camera, barlows or mount. This is probably a silly question but I have one choice and don`t want to waste money and mess up. Thank you
Clear skies.

Hi astroado,
As far as I understand you already have a 2x barlow and you want to get another one?well from my understanding you probably ain't going to get your cam into focus using 2 of them at the same time...but don't quote me on that.besides if you have one already it wouldn't make sence to get the same one.Personaly I would go for a 4x one.Hope that helps.
Martin.

Thanks Martin, I suppose I will just have to wait save up a bit more and get a televue 4x, it would solve my problem. Thank you again for your reply.

No problem,i was glad that it helped you.
Now if you dont mind me asking what kind of scope you are going to use and what are you planing to shoot using 4x barlow?As from my experience sometimes less is actually better.As i dont have any experience using barlows for astrophotography, but quite honestly i have my hands full even without them.Sure the object will be bigger but as i understand one is loosing quite a bit of detail with barlow if the collimation of the scope or weather conditions are not right...

Hi Astroado, I agree with Martin. With the Neximage camera, the f/20 that you have with an f/10 scope and a 2x Barlow is about right, and I'm not sure that you will gain much by adding another Barlow. The loss in image quality will probably outweigh any potential increase in resolution. How are you getting on with your existing system? I'd be inclined to play around with your current setup for a while before buying again. You might also be able to borrow a higher powered Barlow. If you live in the Dublin area, I'd be happy to lend my Imagemate 4x Barlow (cheap alternative to TeleVue: www.scopesnskies.com/prod/barlow/astro-e...eering/ac519-4x.html ).

Mike

Thanks Martin and Mike very helpful advice, I remember reading somewhere that it was possible to double your power by stacking one 2x barlow on top of another, it just seemed a cheaper alternative to buying a televue 4x. At the moment I capture images with the Neximage with a kit 2x barlow through prime focus on my cpc 800, I would also like to add that I am a complete novice at astronomy having taken up the hobby four months ago so learning all the time. I will supply some images I have taken when I figure out how send them, hopefully I will get some tips and hints on how to improve them. And I will be checking out a Imagemate 4x as I have not heard of them cheers Mike. Thanks again for your replys.
Clear skies.