Nice test. I own a RASA 8, a C11 and a few month ago, bought second hand a SW 120/900 Equinox for travel. It is a nice scope, well build and for the moment, my favorite to use when I don't have time to setup the RASA or the C11 and want to make some quick shots on bright objects or simply have a look at the sky. Cool down quickly.
Hey Nick! Excellent review! As the commentor below (Jonny Bravo) said, shooting narrow band (or even RGBL) eliminates the issue with chromatic aberration. I see you like Baader filters like I do, they make a filter called the Semi APO Filter that help remove that issue with OSC cameras. This is a nice scope for both beginners and experienced astronomers and I expect it to sell fast since it seems like everyone wants to do astronomy lately 😀
Nice scope Nick, got it on Amazon for $584 and $87 for the 0.8x Reducer...A great higher end refractor that won't break the bank. But ordered the AT102 EDL that has a next better glass but $1280 with it's reducer. For the $$ best buy Cyber Monday 2022!
One of the problems with an achromat is the inability to get the complete visible spectrum into focus on the sensor. That's what you're paying for with the apochromats. Now, with your 1600MM and narrowband imaging, that weakness is pretty much completely irrelevant, since you're focusing on very narrow, individual bands at a time. In short, you can probably get away with a scope like this if you're doing nothing but narrowband imaging with a mono camera; however, it will be a very different experience if you're trying to do any broadband imaging with a color camera. I think you'd notice issues doing LRGB imaging with your mono camera, too, though not as much as someone with a color camera.
Yes, agreed! I do want to test it with a color camera, though, because depending on how the scope is constructed and how well reducer/flattener is working you can have varying levels of chromatic aberration.
I just picked this scope up! Wanted something not too pricey with a little more reach than my Redcat but not quite as long as my SCT! Though now I’m getting convinced about a RASA/hyperstar for my SCT hehe. Hoping to shoot the eagle nebula and spend a lot of time on it this year!
Hi Nick nice review of the scope, apart from the scopes livery it looks identical to the Altair Astro 102 EDR I recently bought second hand at a very good price recently. All the features are the same apart from the only difference is the Altair scope has FPL53 glass. Looking how the SVBONY performs I'm looking forward to giving mine a first light I might look at getting a dedicated field flattener & reducer for it as I only have the 0.8 lightwave, although after watching this I may get the SVBONY like the one you've shown in the video as I'm almost certain it will perform the same.
Hey! I’ve been thinking about getting this scope but I’ve got some questions I’d love answered by anyone that’s able; I have a Canon 5Div and a Sony a7iv, which system should I get my T ring adaptor for? I also have a Canon 5Dii and Canon t2i lol None are astro modified. I’d love to use the Sony as it is much lighter but DSS always gives me an error when trying to use the raw photos from it and it has trouble detecting stars
I've got this scope, too, and really like it a lot. Only issue I have is with using it with a ZWO EAF. Is the backlash really likely to be well in excess of 200? Or am I doing something wrong?
Hello! Thanks so much for the review! I just picked up the same scope. A question on back focus. Am I correct in saying that the camera sensor needs to be 55mm behind the flattener/reducer? Did you have any trouble with this? I’m afraid I may run out of space to focus. Any thoughts? Thanks!
Hey Chris! With the correct spacer rings 55mm is easy to achieve, and then from there I have found the focus tube only needs to be out just slightly to achieve focus. Which camera are you using?
@@WindyCityAstrophotography Thanks so much for the reply! I learned something over the last couple of days. The SV193 reducer/flattener actually unscrews in the middle, making focusing a whole lot easier. I tested it out two nights ago (with a full moon) and got excellent stars!
How does the Svbony 102/714 mm FPL51 compare to a 102/1000 mm F10 achromat ? I have such an achromat and I now wonder if it makes sense to upgrade to the Svbony 102/714 FPL51.
Thank you for always creating great videos. Always enjoy them. I had a question about this scope. I'm just getting started in this field. Forgive me Ive been trying to take a picture of the moon but it's out of focus and far away vs what I see in my eyepiece which is amazing 6-21mm svbony. I'm using my sony zv-e10 apsc mirrorless camera. My connection to the scope is a 42 to 48mm t ring adapter with 2“ svbony field flattener (only way I can connect my camera to the scope at the moment). When I try zooming in, I can't see anything. When I zoom out it gets a bit clearer but when I take the photo, it's blurry. Shooting at 1/60 iso 100. Can you help? What am I missing? Any advice would be great.
Hello. I've had a couple of telescopes in my life. A small refractor, with which I redescovered Jupiter, and Saturn 46 years ago, then I had an 8 inch reflector with an equatorial mount which was very difficult to keep the view with. Now, this refractor svbony kinda winks an eye to me. I would be using it with my dslr. what do I need to buy apart from the telescope? don't want to go blind about it. I have an 80D canon dslr, and an R5 mirrorles.
Well, I blindly ordered the 503 and received it, and I am super new to this. The scop comes basically bare, and I did not know that. No tripod, no lens to look through (unless I am doing this wrong) I did order a tripod and it seems incompatible. Not a complaint, just declaring my ignorance. Do you have a recommended tripod? Also, I was hoping to be able to attach my Google Pixel 7 Pro to it, but I presume I am unable and need an actual camera.
Hey, congrats on the telescope! If you're just going for optical observing (no camera) then something like Orion EQ-13 mount/tripod should work great. And eyepieces like the Orion Sirius Plossl 1.25". Not crazy expensive, but will get the job done! Pixel would work great for Moon! I have the Orion Steadypix adapter which works really well, clamps on to eyepiece. You will probably enjoy having a prism diagonal as well to put the eyepiece at a more viewable angle.
And Amazon has it for sale for Prime Day, priced at $340. I just ordered one. :-)
Nice test. I own a RASA 8, a C11 and a few month ago, bought second hand a SW 120/900 Equinox for travel. It is a nice scope, well build and for the moment, my favorite to use when I don't have time to setup the RASA or the C11 and want to make some quick shots on bright objects or simply have a look at the sky. Cool down quickly.
Thanks! Yes, agreed it is a nice grab-and-go option, especially compared to the RASA and definitely with your bigger scopes!
Hey Nick! Excellent review! As the commentor below (Jonny Bravo) said, shooting narrow band (or even RGBL) eliminates the issue with chromatic aberration. I see you like Baader filters like I do, they make a filter called the Semi APO Filter that help remove that issue with OSC cameras. This is a nice scope for both beginners and experienced astronomers and I expect it to sell fast since it seems like everyone wants to do astronomy lately 😀
Hey thanks Dave! Oooh I will definitely look into the Semi APO filter...I just might have a camera to test it out with 😎
Nice scope Nick, got it on Amazon for $584 and $87 for the 0.8x Reducer...A great higher end refractor that won't break the bank. But ordered the AT102 EDL that has a next better glass but $1280 with it's reducer. For the $$ best buy Cyber Monday 2022!
Niiiice, great deal!
Your comment saved me some money. I was able to get the .08 reducer for $87. It was more expensive on eBay. Luckily I saw ur comment.
One of the problems with an achromat is the inability to get the complete visible spectrum into focus on the sensor. That's what you're paying for with the apochromats. Now, with your 1600MM and narrowband imaging, that weakness is pretty much completely irrelevant, since you're focusing on very narrow, individual bands at a time.
In short, you can probably get away with a scope like this if you're doing nothing but narrowband imaging with a mono camera; however, it will be a very different experience if you're trying to do any broadband imaging with a color camera. I think you'd notice issues doing LRGB imaging with your mono camera, too, though not as much as someone with a color camera.
Yes, agreed! I do want to test it with a color camera, though, because depending on how the scope is constructed and how well reducer/flattener is working you can have varying levels of chromatic aberration.
This was a really neat video. I'm still figuring out equipment for this hobby. Deciding on upgrades is overwhelming!
Glad you liked it! Yes, it truly is overwhelming; lots of options and lots of opinions out there!
Nick,
Nick,
I miss your you tube videos. They were so good and from such a tough light polluted site. Totally inspires me.
Bill
I just picked this scope up! Wanted something not too pricey with a little more reach than my Redcat but not quite as long as my SCT! Though now I’m getting convinced about a RASA/hyperstar for my SCT hehe. Hoping to shoot the eagle nebula and spend a lot of time on it this year!
Great video, I use the smaller sv503 80ed myself and am super happy with it 👍
Wow! I'm pretty new to all this, so I never realized how much of a difference faster f stops made 😬 Thank you for the well made and informative vid!
Nice scope. But, the ideal budget refractor is the SvBony 305 80mm ED refractor. My light go to mount can handle the weight.
Hi Nick nice review of the scope, apart from the scopes livery it looks identical to the Altair Astro 102 EDR I recently bought second hand at a very good price recently. All the features are the same apart from the only difference is the Altair scope has FPL53 glass. Looking how the SVBONY performs I'm looking forward to giving mine a first light I might look at getting a dedicated field flattener & reducer for it as I only have the 0.8 lightwave, although after watching this I may get the SVBONY like the one you've shown in the video as I'm almost certain it will perform the same.
The top holes are for the sv211 handlebar/dovetail.
Nice overview of the scope.
Thanks James!
Hi I just got the same scope and reducer, ZWO asi533mc pro camera, same spacers 55mm, but can get focus, still need a few mm… any idea?
Hey!
I’ve been thinking about getting this scope but I’ve got some questions I’d love answered by anyone that’s able;
I have a Canon 5Div and a Sony a7iv, which system should I get my T ring adaptor for?
I also have a Canon 5Dii and Canon t2i lol
None are astro modified.
I’d love to use the Sony as it is much lighter but DSS always gives me an error when trying to use the raw photos from it and it has trouble detecting stars
I've got this scope, too, and really like it a lot. Only issue I have is with using it with a ZWO EAF. Is the backlash really likely to be well in excess of 200? Or am I doing something wrong?
Hello! Thanks so much for the review! I just picked up the same scope. A question on back focus. Am I correct in saying that the camera sensor needs to be 55mm behind the flattener/reducer? Did you have any trouble with this? I’m afraid I may run out of space to focus. Any thoughts? Thanks!
Hey Chris! With the correct spacer rings 55mm is easy to achieve, and then from there I have found the focus tube only needs to be out just slightly to achieve focus. Which camera are you using?
@@WindyCityAstrophotography Thanks so much for the reply! I learned something over the last couple of days. The SV193 reducer/flattener actually unscrews in the middle, making focusing a whole lot easier. I tested it out two nights ago (with a full moon) and got excellent stars!
Now Svbony sells it with just 540$.
How does the Svbony 102/714 mm FPL51 compare to a 102/1000 mm F10 achromat ? I have such an achromat and I now wonder if it makes sense to upgrade to the Svbony 102/714 FPL51.
Thank you for always creating great videos. Always enjoy them. I had a question about this scope. I'm just getting started in this field. Forgive me Ive been trying to take a picture of the moon but it's out of focus and far away vs what I see in my eyepiece which is amazing 6-21mm svbony. I'm using my sony zv-e10 apsc mirrorless camera. My connection to the scope is a 42 to 48mm t ring adapter with 2“ svbony field flattener (only way I can connect my camera to the scope at the moment). When I try zooming in, I can't see anything. When I zoom out it gets a bit clearer but when I take the photo, it's blurry. Shooting at 1/60 iso 100. Can you help? What am I missing? Any advice would be great.
Do you recommend it to a beginner who, like me, is mainly interested in taking photos and videos of the moon? Thank you very much.
Is this the same as the ASTRO-TECH AT102ED? They look the same.
I am going to get this telescope next year and I’m wondering what is a good tripod for this telescope.
Hello. I've had a couple of telescopes in my life. A small refractor, with which I redescovered Jupiter, and Saturn 46 years ago, then I had an 8 inch reflector with an equatorial mount which was very difficult to keep the view with. Now, this refractor svbony kinda winks an eye to me. I would be using it with my dslr. what do I need to buy apart from the telescope? don't want to go blind about it. I have an 80D canon dslr, and an R5 mirrorles.
Well, I blindly ordered the 503 and received it, and I am super new to this. The scop comes basically bare, and I did not know that. No tripod, no lens to look through (unless I am doing this wrong) I did order a tripod and it seems incompatible. Not a complaint, just declaring my ignorance. Do you have a recommended tripod? Also, I was hoping to be able to attach my Google Pixel 7 Pro to it, but I presume I am unable and need an actual camera.
Hey, congrats on the telescope! If you're just going for optical observing (no camera) then something like Orion EQ-13 mount/tripod should work great. And eyepieces like the Orion Sirius Plossl 1.25". Not crazy expensive, but will get the job done! Pixel would work great for Moon! I have the Orion Steadypix adapter which works really well, clamps on to eyepiece. You will probably enjoy having a prism diagonal as well to put the eyepiece at a more viewable angle.
with that 0.8x focal reducer your focuser is completely close right?
Do u know if a iPhone could do a decent job
8038 Schaden Highway
Not really a budget telescop.
Great Review. Will Share it. Thanks