The WideField 0.5X telecompressor lens system now provides exceptional color correction for medium-format CCD cameras. Especially designed for f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescopes and CCD cameras such as the SBIG ST-8, this telecompressor provides a wide, flat field across CCD chips having diagonals up to 18mm.

The WideField provides an unvignetted image with improved blue correction compared to the original MAXfield 0.33X telecompressor. This improved blue correction makes the WideField lens system the ideal choice for use with the enhanced blue response Kodak chips. Not recommended for f/6.3 SCT systems or other telescope designs.

The WideField 0.5X is a three-part design consisting of an optional telescope mount, a fully multi-coated three-element lens assembly and a camera mount designed specifically for the most popular CCD camera models.

For tri-color and LRGB work, the WideField is fully compatible with the IFW Intelligent Filter Wheel system. The WideField lens assembly is threaded for manual insertion of 2" (48mm) threaded filters. When used with the f/10 Schmidt Cassegrain telescope, the WideField offers very low distortion and minimal field curvature. This system is most appropriate for high precision astrometry. Residuals of 0.2 arc seconds or less are common when centroids are matched to GSC star positions with common astrometric programs such as Project Pluto's Charon.

In use, the observer will first attach the mounting plate (available separately) to the CCD camera. Next the lens assembly is inserted into the mounting plate and secured by the three setscrews. The camera with lens assembly is then inserted into the 2" focuser and secured by two thumbscrews. Finally, the three setscrews located around the mounting plate are loosened carefully and the camera is rotated for proper orientation of the desired field on the video monitor. You are now ready to focus and use the system to capture spectacular images.