Hey bud, how’s it going. You answered a question for me a few days ago, can you answer another one? So how far out is your focuser to achieve focus? I have the rotator in front of the flat6 and I have 55mm of spacing between the camera and the flat6. I’m having problems achieving focus. Do I have this set up correctly?
Barely.. I mean it's literally almost all the way in, honestly.. I was kind of scared i would need more inward travel, but I was pleasantly surprised to find it focus with barely even turning the focus knobs.. I think it's on like the 5th little line marking on the tube
I am glad I found this review (Thank you) . I have the Z73 and wanted to move up to this aperature but was hesitant as I would lose wide field. However, your recommendations have convinced me that it is still possible. It provides a good scope size to move up or down in focal length. I have the ASI294MC Pro and after seeing what you accomplished on the 183 (by the way excellent photos ! ) I am looking forward to what this scope can do. Clear Skies !
Awesome man! I'm glad I could help out.. I love my Z81 man.. I originally wanted the gt81, but saved the extra 500$ for the field flattener and asiair.. I've never regretted my decision
Hi, I bought one of these scopes and I also have the Flat6III but I would also like to use it without the reducer for the additional reach. How would I set it up without the reducer?
Ok, so I've also thought about this and it seems like you can get just a field flattener. The same one that you use for the ed80 scopes. Here is a link agenaastro.com/catalog/product/view/id/540/s/hotech-2-sca-field-flattener/
Otherwise you can do it by taking off the reducer and installing the visual back that came with the scope. You can then use an m42 t ring with a nose piece adapter and do it that way, but your not going to have the solid connection. Just held in with a few thumb screws instead.
Thank you Dave! 😊 always a pleasure buddy.. I tried the skywatcher ed80 first, but I sent it back and went for the z81 instead.. WO really have nice build quality, and I didn't like how the camera doesn't screw into the ed80, it was just held in there by thumb screws..
Awesome! Thanks for the support.. if you wanna throw out any ideas on what kind of videos you would like to see me cover, I am always open to suggestions.. I have a new scope arriving Tuesday and some more gear coming Thursday, so there are some good upcoming reviews.. Thanks again!
@@WVAA304 the WO Zenith 81 looks to be my first scope. Up til now been using a 200mm 2.8 dslr lens but want deeper. Then i am going to look for a celestron 8inch edgeHD as wanting to imagine the Pinwheel galaxy etc. Just keep the videos coming. Processing and in the field stuff
Just got my Zwo533 camera today. Two extension tubes and some rubber or paper washers. I wonder if one or both extension tubes are needed to reach focus ?
Love this review of the telescope and how to get it set up.I’m still considering this or its smaller brother,the WO.Z73.The build quality looks great.BTW Those images are brilliant.👍
Hi I watched this because I have been offered one of these as a OTA for £650, and was wondering if it was worth the outlay, but from what you said, it is, so many thanks.
Hi! Thanks for your review, i juste ordered yesterday the z81 in red with the field flattener. I was esitating between the 94 edph and this one, your video and pictures made me choice the z81. I allready own a redcat51 for super widefield and i wanted something with more reach to get smaller targets without overload my heq5 pro. Keep going man!
Honestly - I've been considering the FLT 91, and GT81, but I think you convinced me to buy this telescope . Awesome review - just one question - what dedicated astro camera do you have connected to the scope?
I honestly don't see a whole lot of difference, (other than the price) between a nice quality doublet vs. Triplet other than star colors are a little better on the Triplet, but not enough to justify the crazy price difference.. I use the zwo asi183 Mc pro camera
Nice video Sir. Fellow WO owner from down the hill in NC. I got the Z71 GT and fell in love at first light! I have a Nexstar 6SE SCT and it’s nice and all, but WO scopes are top shelf. Way better for the big targets, and easier to polar align. The optical quality is sooo much better than my SCT. Now I just have to get to a dark sky spot further away from my hood. Are you in a darker part of WVA?? Again nice video. Subbed. Keep looking up brother.
Appreciate the comment man! 🙏 I've been wanting to get something for galaxies myself.. hopefully this summer, but not sure yet.. I need some other equipment also, so not sure which route to go yet, lol
I've never used it without the reducer to be honest, lol.. I've tried a few times, but can't seem to get it focused.. I know it's me doing something wrong, not the scope, but the reducer paired with my 2x crop 183mc pro still gives a pretty close view, so I've never really worried about it, but I've seen others use the 72mm scope with the 294mc pro without the reducer and so had sharp stars almost completely to the edge, (barely noticeable distortion)
It's used to change filters, lol. 😉 Otherwise, I would have to screw them into the field flattener. I use a one shot color camera, sometimes I use a duo narrowband filter to enhance contrast and seperate the different colors in my targets with strong Ha and oiii
@@WVAA304 Excellent. My z81 should be showing up tomorrow. Stoked! Hope there's a bit of a difference in image quality from the z61. Thanks for the reply.
@@WVAA304 Fantastic telescope. Also, I wasnt sure which of the three pairs of screws to remove in order to mount the vixen base plate. I searched snd searched on the net, I could vaguely remember seeing it somewhere but couldn't remember. It is nowhere to be found, then I remembered...it was your video. So, thanks again, I know which of those screw can be used to mount the plate. Have a good one!
Registered my first ZWO533 images onto Deep Sky Stacker yesterday. Just discovered what a Fit file was..And now The question is; What imaging software to get/use ? After the Fit files have been translated into RAW files...
Just go for Astro Pixel Processor for stacking.. it's like 60$ a year and it's better than anything else... no need to transfer to Raw.. it can read FITTs. I thought Deep sky stacker also read FITTs
I recently bought a WO ZS81 and your video helped with the buying decision and with the setup after receiving it. Two questions: What red dot finder mounts to the focuser? And what nosepiece do you use when not using the focal reducer?
Great questions man, I've def ran into this issue myself brother, lol... honestly, I've never used the scope without the reducer believe it or not! I have tried using a standard 1.25 in noise piece, but had trouble finding focus.. so, instead of figuring it out, I've just put it off and continue putting it off due to the fact, everything is ready to go already... I live such a busy life, is hard to find time for trial and error anymore... soon I will figure it out, it's not that hard to figure out, just takes my full focus and attention, which is hard to get these days, lol.... I don't have a red dot finder in the focuser, but rather on top of the scope on the opposite side as the AsiAir... it was just an off brand generic red dot finder... you remove the top 2 screws (that the asiair is mounted in on my setup) and mount it there, you can use either side.. so I mounted the asiair on one side and my star finder on the other
I use the 183 most of the time, but actually used the dslr last week on it, and I actually think I get a sharper image with the dslr, but more noise.. probably due to the dslr being 24 mp and aps-c sensor and the 183 being 20mp 2x crop sensor.. Both deliver amazing results though!
@@WVAA304 Guess what just showed up on my door. Question, what do you set for the back focus when using the 183? Are you still setting it to 5.2? My setup will be pretty identical, without the rotator.
That only applies with the flattener. Your camera will have the same back focus with or without the flattener. Just don't change any spacing that you already have.
I've never used it without the flattener honestly, but it will probably rack out pretty far too achieve focus, with the flattener installed you barely have to rack it out for perfect focus
Tried my ASIair plus, Zwo533 and William Optics Z81 for the first time last night. Polar alignment, perfect, guiding good. ZWO533 total crap. unusable pictures.. Like pictures from a 2 pixel toy camera..
I'm not sure about that camera, I have the 183, but it works fine... remember, a single exposure will not look that good, especially on the preview on the asi air.. it is a jpeg preview of the image.. when I preview my images on the asi air they look crappy also, but the actual FITTS files are clean
Great review, thanks. What mount do you use at the start of the video?
Thanks for the support! It's a Skywatcher Eq6r pro
Great review! I pulled the trigger on one this week. Didn't know about the lack of camera angle adjuster, glad you covered that.
Awesome, thank you!
Just bought one last night after this and a couple other reviews. Thanks much!!
Awesome! Glad I could help
You answered all of my questions. Thank you very much! Great review
Thanks! Glad it could help! 😊
Excellent video
I just got the same scope and this video gives me a real hope for my fun
That's awesome! It's a beast for sure, have fun!! 👏 👏
Hola!
Muchas gracias por compartir tu experiencia.
Creo que ya lo tengo decidido!
Hey bud, how’s it going. You answered a question for me a few days ago, can you answer another one? So how far out is your focuser to achieve focus? I have the rotator in front of the flat6 and I have 55mm of spacing between the camera and the flat6. I’m having problems achieving focus. Do I have this set up correctly?
Barely.. I mean it's literally almost all the way in, honestly.. I was kind of scared i would need more inward travel, but I was pleasantly surprised to find it focus with barely even turning the focus knobs.. I think it's on like the 5th little line marking on the tube
I will check when I get home exactly which marking is on
Very good review! You obviously know your material and your product.
I appreciate that!
I am glad I found this review (Thank you) . I have the Z73 and wanted to move up to this aperature but was hesitant as I would lose wide field. However, your recommendations have convinced me that it is still possible. It provides a good scope size to move up or down in focal length. I have the ASI294MC Pro and after seeing what you accomplished on the 183 (by the way excellent photos ! ) I am looking forward to what this scope can do. Clear Skies !
Awesome man! I'm glad I could help out.. I love my Z81 man.. I originally wanted the gt81, but saved the extra 500$ for the field flattener and asiair.. I've never regretted my decision
Nice pics . hay from Raleigh co
Hey James, thanks buddy!
nice images dude
hey RJ, thanks buddy
I’m in Parkersburg, great job….
Thanks brother! 😊
Hi, I bought one of these scopes and I also have the Flat6III but I would also like to use it without the reducer for the additional reach. How would I set it up without the reducer?
Ok, so I've also thought about this and it seems like you can get just a field flattener. The same one that you use for the ed80 scopes. Here is a link
agenaastro.com/catalog/product/view/id/540/s/hotech-2-sca-field-flattener/
Otherwise you can do it by taking off the reducer and installing the visual back that came with the scope. You can then use an m42 t ring with a nose piece adapter and do it that way, but your not going to have the solid connection. Just held in with a few thumb screws instead.
Ya that’s what was thinking too but what about back focus distances?
I used the nose piece and the eye piece adaptor. Works great! Focuser racked out 68mm to get focus
Thanks for the in depth vid. Using a Radian raptor 61 and a Skywatcher evo 72. Man this looks tempting!
Thank you Dave! 😊 always a pleasure buddy.. I tried the skywatcher ed80 first, but I sent it back and went for the z81 instead.. WO really have nice build quality, and I didn't like how the camera doesn't screw into the ed80, it was just held in there by thumb screws..
Excellent review! You helped me decide to get one! Keep up the good work. Thank you. Rgds, Ed
Awesome! Thanks for the response, glad I could help out! 😀
Thank you for showing how a DSLR connects to telescope.
Excellent point about the angle rotator I am looking at this scope for use with my d850. Subbed.
Awesome! Thanks for the support.. if you wanna throw out any ideas on what kind of videos you would like to see me cover, I am always open to suggestions.. I have a new scope arriving Tuesday and some more gear coming Thursday, so there are some good upcoming reviews..
Thanks again!
@@WVAA304 the WO Zenith 81 looks to be my first scope. Up til now been using a 200mm 2.8 dslr lens but want deeper. Then i am going to look for a celestron 8inch edgeHD as wanting to imagine the Pinwheel galaxy etc. Just keep the videos coming. Processing and in the field stuff
Just got my Zwo533 camera today. Two extension tubes and some rubber or paper washers. I wonder if one or both extension tubes are needed to reach focus ?
You will need 55mm of back focus.. I think you use the biggest extension and the small ring that is on the camera to begin with, if I'm not mistaken
Awesome! So that's with a crop sensor dslr, noise piece with wire piece adapter and no flattener right?
Love this review of the telescope and how to get it set up.I’m still considering this or its smaller brother,the WO.Z73.The build quality looks great.BTW Those images are brilliant.👍
thank you Jon, appreciate that
I have exactly the same setup except the Astro camera. Can I get good results with my Canon 5D Mkii ?
Absolutely! I use my 80d All the time
Hi I watched this because I have been offered one of these as a OTA for £650, and was wondering if it was worth the outlay, but from what you said, it is, so many thanks.
Yes, absolutely. It's a great scope! 💯
Hi! Thanks for your review, i juste ordered yesterday the z81 in red with the field flattener. I was esitating between the 94 edph and this one, your video and pictures made me choice the z81. I allready own a redcat51 for super widefield and i wanted something with more reach to get smaller targets without overload my heq5 pro. Keep going man!
Hey Alexandre, thanks buddy.. I'm glad I could help with your decision, thanks for the support, always a pleasure 😊 🙏
@@WVAA304 I receive it yesterday, i real piece of art like always with william optics! Can’t wait to try it!
Honestly - I've been considering the FLT 91, and GT81, but I think you convinced me to buy this telescope . Awesome review - just one question - what dedicated astro camera do you have connected to the scope?
I honestly don't see a whole lot of difference, (other than the price) between a nice quality doublet vs. Triplet other than star colors are a little better on the Triplet, but not enough to justify the crazy price difference.. I use the zwo asi183 Mc pro camera
Nice video Sir.
Fellow WO owner from down the hill in NC.
I got the Z71 GT and fell in love at first light! I have a Nexstar 6SE SCT and it’s nice and all, but WO scopes are top shelf.
Way better for the big targets, and easier to polar align.
The optical quality is sooo much better than my SCT.
Now I just have to get to a dark sky spot further away from my hood.
Are you in a darker part of WVA??
Again nice video. Subbed.
Keep looking up brother.
I am in a bortle 2.7 I believe.. in between bortle 2 and 3.. Monroe Co. WV
Appreciate the comment man! 🙏 I've been wanting to get something for galaxies myself.. hopefully this summer, but not sure yet.. I need some other equipment also, so not sure which route to go yet, lol
One more question - how do your images come out when you're not using the reducer? Do you pretty much have to use it to get sharp stars on the edges?
I've never used it without the reducer to be honest, lol.. I've tried a few times, but can't seem to get it focused.. I know it's me doing something wrong, not the scope, but the reducer paired with my 2x crop 183mc pro still gives a pretty close view, so I've never really worried about it, but I've seen others use the 72mm scope with the 294mc pro without the reducer and so had sharp stars almost completely to the edge, (barely noticeable distortion)
What is the filter slot used for ? Do you use color or mono camera ?
It's used to change filters, lol. 😉
Otherwise, I would have to screw them into the field flattener. I use a one shot color camera, sometimes I use a duo narrowband filter to enhance contrast and seperate the different colors in my targets with strong Ha and oiii
Did it come with a padded case like the z61?
Yes it does
It's actually a little nicer than the z61 bag
@@WVAA304
Excellent. My z81 should be showing up tomorrow. Stoked! Hope there's a bit of a difference in image quality from the z61. Thanks for the reply.
You will notice the stars are a bit brighter and sharper looking.. lot more detail in targets also.. I had the z61 first myself
@@WVAA304
Fantastic telescope. Also, I wasnt sure which of the three pairs of screws to remove in order to mount the vixen base plate. I searched snd searched on the net, I could vaguely remember seeing it somewhere but couldn't remember. It is nowhere to be found, then I remembered...it was your video. So, thanks again, I know which of those screw can be used to mount the plate. Have a good one!
Registered my first ZWO533 images onto Deep Sky Stacker yesterday. Just discovered what a Fit file was..And now The question is; What imaging software to get/use ? After the Fit files have been translated into RAW files...
Just go for Astro Pixel Processor for stacking.. it's like 60$ a year and it's better than anything else... no need to transfer to Raw.. it can read FITTs. I thought Deep sky stacker also read FITTs
Love this video... Still decding weather to get this one or the Red Cat 51... What do you say?
That really depends on what targets your going after.. the red cat has a much wider field of view, either route you go, they are both great scopes! 👍
I recently bought a WO ZS81 and your video helped with the buying decision and with the setup after receiving it. Two questions: What red dot finder mounts to the focuser? And what nosepiece do you use when not using the focal reducer?
Great questions man, I've def ran into this issue myself brother, lol... honestly, I've never used the scope without the reducer believe it or not! I have tried using a standard 1.25 in noise piece, but had trouble finding focus.. so, instead of figuring it out, I've just put it off and continue putting it off due to the fact, everything is ready to go already... I live such a busy life, is hard to find time for trial and error anymore... soon I will figure it out, it's not that hard to figure out, just takes my full focus and attention, which is hard to get these days, lol.... I don't have a red dot finder in the focuser, but rather on top of the scope on the opposite side as the AsiAir... it was just an off brand generic red dot finder... you remove the top 2 screws (that the asiair is mounted in on my setup) and mount it there, you can use either side.. so I mounted the asiair on one side and my star finder on the other
Think Ill be joining the ranks of those who bought the z81. What do you prefer with your z, the DSLR or the 183MC-P?
I use the 183 most of the time, but actually used the dslr last week on it, and I actually think I get a sharper image with the dslr, but more noise.. probably due to the dslr being 24 mp and aps-c sensor and the 183 being 20mp 2x crop sensor..
Both deliver amazing results though!
@@WVAA304 Guess what just showed up on my door. Question, what do you set for the back focus when using the 183? Are you still setting it to 5.2? My setup will be pretty identical, without the rotator.
@@MazzifLOL yes, 5.2.. sorry for the delayed response
Hey great review! Subbed. Would you mind sharing what brand/type your Losmandy plate is? I want to add one too, to achieve balance in dec axe. CS!
farpointastro.com/products/universal-d-series-dovetail-plate-14inch?variant=40161827553433¤cy=USD&gclid=Cj0KCQiAuP-OBhDqARIsAD4XHpf-rPa22LIWNuACJHBpm38C0jOFnjaeqiOAfuZ2Pdun7J3FLDWoFcUaApEDEALw_wcB
I put a link below brother, 😉
@@WVAA304 thank you!
That only applies with the flattener. Your camera will have the same back focus with or without the flattener. Just don't change any spacing that you already have.
So how far out do you rack the focuser to achieve focus? I guess I’m looking for an approx starting point
I've never used it without the flattener honestly, but it will probably rack out pretty far too achieve focus, with the flattener installed you barely have to rack it out for perfect focus
Tried my ASIair plus, Zwo533 and William Optics Z81 for the first time last night. Polar alignment, perfect, guiding good. ZWO533 total crap. unusable pictures.. Like pictures from a 2 pixel toy camera..
I'm not sure about that camera, I have the 183, but it works fine... remember, a single exposure will not look that good, especially on the preview on the asi air.. it is a jpeg preview of the image.. when I preview my images on the asi air they look crappy also, but the actual FITTS files are clean