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IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
Baader Planetarium TZ-3S Telecentric System T-2 for SunDancer II and more
Baader Planetarium TZ-3S Telecentric System T-2 for SunDancer II and more
Baader Planetarium TZ-3S Telecentric System T-2 for SunDancer II and more
Baader Planetarium TZ-3S Telecentric System T-2 for SunDancer II and more
Baader Planetarium TZ-3S Telecentric System T-2 for SunDancer II and more
Baader Planetarium TZ-3S Telecentric System T-2 for SunDancer II and more
Baader Planetarium TZ-3S Telecentric System T-2 for SunDancer II and more
Baader Planetarium TZ-3S Telecentric System T-2 for SunDancer II and more
Baader Planetarium TZ-3S Telecentric System T-2 for SunDancer II and more
Baader Planetarium TZ-3S Telecentric System T-2 for SunDancer II and more

Baader Planetarium TZ-3S Telecentric System T-2 for SunDancer II and more

par Baader Planetarium
UGC BAA-1363070
$459.00 - $459.00
$459.00
$459.00 - $459.00
$459.00
Égalisation de prix!
  • 3x Achromatic Telecentric System
  • Delivers a Parallel Light Beam for H-alpha Filters
  • Illuminates a 27.5mm Image Circle
  • 96mm Working Distance from T-2 Thread Base
  • Dual 1.25" and 2" Nosepiece
  • T-2 Thread for Secure Camera Connection
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • TZ-3S Telecentric System T-2 for SunDancer II and more

    The Baader TZ-3S is a 3x achromatic telecentric system engineered to deliver a perfectly parallel beam of light, a mandatory requirement for narrow-band H-alpha solar filters which must operate at a focal ratio of f/30. This standalone version, identified by its gold anodized label, illuminates a 27.5mm image circle over a forgiving 96 mm working distance. With its versatile dual 1.25"/2" nosepiece and secure T-2 camera-side thread, the TZ-3S serves as a high-contrast replacement for a standard Barlow lens for both critical solar and planetary imaging.

    The 3x Telecentric Advantage: Parallel Light and Stable Magnification

    Unlike a Barlow lens, which creates a diverging light cone and whose magnification changes with distance, a telecentric system produces parallel light rays. This core design principle ensures the magnification factor of the TZ-3S remains a constant 3x, regardless of where your camera or eyepiece is placed relative to its 96 mm optimal working distance. The result is a stable image scale and superior image quality, free from the optical compromises inherent in extending a Barlow's magnification with extension tubes.

    Achieving the Mandatory f/30 for H-alpha Etalons

    For sub-Angstrom H-alpha filters like the Baader SunDancer II, a telecentric system is not an optional accessory—it is an essential prerequisite. These filters rely on an internal etalon that only performs to specification when fed a perfectly parallel beam of light at f/30 or slower. Simply using a Barlow to increase a telescope's focal ratio to f/30 does not create a parallel beam and will severely degrade the filter's contrast. The TZ-3S correctly converts a standard f/10 telescope into an f/30 instrument, ensuring the etalon performs at its maximum theoretical contrast.

    Achromatic Imaging: Illuminating a 27.5mm Image Circle

    While designed for H-alpha, the TZ-3S is a fully achromatic system, corrected across the visible spectrum. This makes it a powerful tool for high-magnification lunar and planetary imaging, delivering higher contrast than simple Barlows or eyepiece projection. The system illuminates a 27.5mm image circle, making it an ideal match for the smaller sensors found in modern, high-speed planetary cameras that thrive at the high magnifications needed to resolve fine detail on Jupiter's cloud bands or the Cassini Division in Saturn's rings.

    Mechanical Interface: Dual 1.25"/2" Nosepiece and T-2 Threading

    The TZ-3S is built for secure, flex-free integration into any imaging train. On the telescope side, a dual-purpose nosepiece fits both 1.25" and 2" focusers and features safety kerfs instead of a simple groove, preventing tilts and ensuring a solid lock. On the camera side, a standard T-2 (M42x0.75) male thread provides a rigid, direct connection to cameras, filter wheels, and T-2 eyepiece holders, eliminating the potential for sag that can occur with simple thumbscrew connections.

    TZ-3S vs. TZ-4S: Matching f/10 vs. f/7.5 Telescopes

    Choosing the correct telecentric depends on your telescope's native focal ratio. While the TZ-4S offers a larger 36mm clear aperture, its primary purpose is different.

    • TZ-3S (Gold Label): This 3x telecentric is optimized for telescopes with a focal ratio of f/10, converting them to the target f/30 for H-alpha filters.
    • TZ-4S (Violet Label): The 4x telecentric is designed for faster telescopes around f/7.5, providing the necessary magnification to reach the same f/30 target.

    This standalone TZ-3S does not include the 2nm blocking filter required for the SunDancer II system; that component is only integrated into the red-ring version sold with the filter itself.

  • What is the main difference between the Baader TZ-3S Telecentric and a standard 3x Barlow lens?

    A Barlow lens creates a diverging light cone, and its magnification changes as you alter the distance to the camera sensor. The TZ-3S Telecentric System produces a parallel beam of light, which means its 3x magnification factor and image quality remain constant regardless of the working distance. This parallel beam is also a mandatory requirement for the proper function of narrow-band H-alpha solar filters.

    Why is the TZ-3S Telecentric mandatory for a filter like the Baader SunDancer II?

    The high-precision etalon inside a sub-Angstrom H-alpha filter requires a perfectly parallel, slow focal ratio (typically f/30) light beam to achieve its rated contrast and bandpass. Using a standard Barlow lens to reach f/30 does not create a parallel beam and will significantly degrade the filter's performance. The TZ-3S is specifically designed to produce this parallel f/30 beam, making it essential for critical solar observation.

    Can I use the standalone TZ-3S for planetary imaging with my f/10 SCT?

    Yes, absolutely. The TZ-3S is an excellent choice for this application. Its achromatic design is corrected for the entire visible spectrum, and it provides higher contrast than most Barlows. On an f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope (SCT), it creates an f/30 imaging system, which is ideal for capturing fine details on planets like Jupiter and Saturn with modern high-frame-rate cameras.

    Will the TZ-3S work with my camera that has a sensor larger than 27.5mm?

    The TZ-3S is optically designed to fully illuminate an image circle of 27.5mm in diameter. While you can use it with a camera that has a larger sensor (like APS-C), you will experience significant vignetting (darkening) at the corners and edges of the frame. It is best matched with sensors that fit within this image circle.

    How do I attach the TZ-3S to my telescope and camera?

    The TZ-3S is very versatile. On the telescope side, it has a dual 1.25" and 2" nosepiece that slides directly into your focuser. On the camera side, it features a standard T-2 (M42x0.75) male thread for a secure, threaded connection to your imaging camera, filter wheel, or a T-2 eyepiece clamp.

    I have an f/7.5 refractor. Should I use the TZ-3S or the TZ-4S for my H-alpha filter?

    For an f/7.5 telescope, the TZ-4S (4x Telecentric) is the correct choice. To reach the required f/30 focal ratio for an H-alpha filter, you need a 4x magnification factor (7.5 x 4 = 30). The TZ-3S would only bring your system to f/22.5, which is too fast for the etalon to perform optimally.

  • Baader Planetarium Warranty