It’s valuable to see the issues you struggle with as you try to get some photography done. These are things we all struggle with too. Your point about having a backup for major components is something that all astrophotographers should heed. Thanks for another interesting video Angus!
"Hey ya'll" and looking at the clouds passing by "I miss Tennis..." Closing in on 3 months since I was able to have a real astrophotography session too, so I feel your pain.
I recently bought one of these telescopes, and I'm very impressed with the build quality and the ergonomics. Although I can see a difference in the Airy disk inside and outside of focus at 100x and above, stars snap into very sharp pinpoints with vivid colors. The diffraction rings are less noticeable on one side of focus and there is a blue glow between them, but that is at high power. I'm guessing it's due to the glasses used in the triplet objective lens, or some residual chromatic aberration, but it doesn't harm the views at all. Any color fringing I noticed was lateral color in the eyepiece, not the main optics. The focuser is very smooth and precise, and the camera angle adjuster is also smooth and locks securely. The telescope is surprisingly solid and heavy for it's size, and for such a small instrument it's a heavy hitter for visually observing deep sky objects. Sharpness, contrast, suppression of stray light and light transmission are all excellent. I was amazed at the deep sky objects that are visible through it, including the California Nebula with a hydrogen beta filter. It's a great visual telescope as well as an imaging platform, which is what I plan to use it for once I have a camera and field flattener for it. This instrument deserves serious consideration by anyone looking for a compact, well made apochromatic refractor. The price is definitely a major factor in my decision to buy this telescope over a WO 81mm F/7 doublet APO refractor.
You should be doing this review instead of me! I couldn't have said that any better, especially your experiences on the visual side of things! I appreciate you sharing your insights here. Clear skies and please come back for more! 🙂
@@nocturneastro2539 I do have a question though. I am considering what camera to buy for use with this telescope. It seems due to the short focal length, it would be better to choose a camera with very small pixels, not larger ones like my ZWO 174MM monochrome I use for lunar and planetary imaging with my 8-inch Celestron EdgeHD. It seems the best choice I have found so far, given the normally at best mediocre seeing in coastal Alabama, is a ZWO 183MM cooled camera. I already have the filter wheel and LRGB filter set, and I mainly want to do LRGB imaging or monochrome imaging with a hydrogen alpha filter. What do you think of this camera? I am planning to use the field flattener and focal reducer Astro Tech makes specifically for this telescope even through the chip looks small enough that it might not be necessary to avoid field curvature.
Like! An 80 mm APO costs just as much as a Bresser 127/1200 mm achromat. I wonder which one is overall better for normal use (not astrophotography). I guess the 127/1200 mm achromat schould be better since the difference in aperture is so big. I would really apreciate your opinion on this :). Thank you!
It’s impossible to do astronomy in San Francisco. Move to the south bay, buddy 🤣 I have the AT130EDT, and while it’s not perfect, I can say it is fantastic!
as much as I d like having the focuser knobs on the bottom of the scope too, installing risers is just adding to the omomentum of the mount, and that very problem can be solved by just rotating the scope and having the focuser on top
Omg... Facepalm moment right here. Why didn't I think of that? I could have just flipped the scope upside down instead of waiting for the risers to arrive... Fail. Thanks for pointing that out to me! Appreciate it (facepalm)
@@nocturneastro2539 Hi, Where did you get the risers? ONE problem! Vittorio is right but it puts the mounting Shoes on the bottom of the scope, I can not mount my finder scope or my ASIAIR underneath! I still need the risers, I have the Astrotech 72EDII, with a .8 Flattener reducer,
Thanks! It was the WO FLAT6AIII that was designed to use for the GT81. And because they're similar enough, I thought it would work too on the Astro-Tech AT80EDT, but nope. I couldn't get round enough of stars in the corner. The Hotech SCA 1:1 field flattener gave a more satisfying result.
I wouldn't call $750 entry level at all. Reflector telescopes firmly have the real entry level apochromatic field covered and any narrowband stuff can be covered by a good doublet or a reflector. Anyone considering expensive triplets because they have bottomless pockets is better off getting a reflector and using the extra funds on a even better mount and/or other equipment in my opinion.
Looks like a real awesome scope I just wish we could have US prices over here in the UK lol, for only 56 minutes on that target which you called the Jokers smile (never heard that one before but I totally get it) it came out very well. How are you finding the 26C camera? I got myself a 269C & had a few goes with it on the RASA with varying results although like you say it might be time to switch scopes soon either that or use a larger sensor camera.
I think over in the UK, the "Astro-Tech" brand is sold under the Altair Astro name. You should check them out. I love my Altair Astro 26C, the sensor is great and you can't beat the purple body! I myself prefer larger sensor, because I'd like to see more. (I can't afford full frame, otherwise I would)
I prefer the larger frame myself as I've imaged with modified DSLR's with APSC sensors for some time now & love the field of view you get, sadly I couldn't afford a 26C while we were at Kelling Heath star party a few weeks back but the 269C they had there for sale was at a price I couldn't refuse, I do have an old QHY8 OSC which is getting temperamental lately but I think I'll be putting some money by for next years star party & go for a 26C.
How about ASTRO-TECH AT152EDT and Esprit 150? ASTRO-TECH AT152EDT is 152 mm, f8, triplet.... only $4,395.... Esprit 150 is 150 mm, f7, triplet... $8,250.... Frankly, if I did not know the price, ASTRO-TECH looks more premium, but I have not seen either in person.... I am in the market for a 6" refractor... these are my finalists, and wondering if you have access to these and review?
Unfortunately, I won't be able to review neither the AT152EDT or the Esprit 150. Astro-Tech's build quality for the price is amazing and I suspect that to be the case for the 152. However, the Esprit 150 does have the allure of FPL-53 if that's important to you.
![[INTRODUCING] Founder Optics FOT106 - Beautiful New Refractor!](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/RlfxWrV59sg/mqdefault.jpg)
It’s valuable to see the issues you struggle with as you try to get some photography done. These are things we all struggle with too. Your point about having a backup for major components is something that all astrophotographers should heed. Thanks for another interesting video Angus!
Yeah, I'm lucky that I have a spare laptop that could acquire image. Because I was dead in the water that night. Thanks for visiting again!
"Hey ya'll" and looking at the clouds passing by "I miss Tennis..."
Closing in on 3 months since I was able to have a real astrophotography session too, so I feel your pain.
Sounds like Alabama during June, July, August and September.
I recently bought one of these telescopes, and I'm very impressed with the build quality and the ergonomics. Although I can see a difference in the Airy disk inside and outside of focus at 100x and above, stars snap into very sharp pinpoints with vivid colors. The diffraction rings are less noticeable on one side of focus and there is a blue glow between them, but that is at high power. I'm guessing it's due to the glasses used in the triplet objective lens, or some residual chromatic aberration, but it doesn't harm the views at all. Any color fringing I noticed was lateral color in the eyepiece, not the main optics. The focuser is very smooth and precise, and the camera angle adjuster is also smooth and locks securely. The telescope is surprisingly solid and heavy for it's size, and for such a small instrument it's a heavy hitter for visually observing deep sky objects. Sharpness, contrast, suppression of stray light and light transmission are all excellent. I was amazed at the deep sky objects that are visible through it, including the California Nebula with a hydrogen beta filter. It's a great visual telescope as well as an imaging platform, which is what I plan to use it for once I have a camera and field flattener for it. This instrument deserves serious consideration by anyone looking for a compact, well made apochromatic refractor. The price is definitely a major factor in my decision to buy this telescope over a WO 81mm F/7 doublet APO refractor.
You should be doing this review instead of me! I couldn't have said that any better, especially your experiences on the visual side of things! I appreciate you sharing your insights here. Clear skies and please come back for more! 🙂
@@nocturneastro2539 I do have a question though. I am considering what camera to buy for use with this telescope. It seems due to the short focal length, it would be better to choose a camera with very small pixels, not larger ones like my ZWO 174MM monochrome I use for lunar and planetary imaging with my 8-inch Celestron EdgeHD. It seems the best choice I have found so far, given the normally at best mediocre seeing in coastal Alabama, is a ZWO 183MM cooled camera. I already have the filter wheel and LRGB filter set, and I mainly want to do LRGB imaging or monochrome imaging with a hydrogen alpha filter. What do you think of this camera? I am planning to use the field flattener and focal reducer Astro Tech makes specifically for this telescope even through the chip looks small enough that it might not be necessary to avoid field curvature.
Like! An 80 mm APO costs just as much as a Bresser 127/1200 mm achromat. I wonder which one is overall better for normal use (not astrophotography). I guess the 127/1200 mm achromat schould be better since the difference in aperture is so big. I would really apreciate your opinion on this :). Thank you!
Thank you! I watched a few episodes and I’m going with a William Optics 73mm !
Thanks for visiting the channel and that's a great choice! 😃
Had one. It was ok. The dumb focuser size and not getting a true flat field with the reducer was a downer.
The focuser is a standard size as most other scopes, no?
@@nocturneastro2539 part of that imaging train was 3’inches. And it seems you had issues with the reducers too. Hope for better luck next time.
@@nocturneastro2539 ok it was the thread size on the spacers I think I’m mixing up. :). Think it was like m54.
Where did you get the spacer blocks?
I can't seem to find one of these in Canada ?
Just wondering. Could you have just rotated the telescope where the focuser is on top allowing room for the APM plate?
I think I can, and that's a great idea! Just that, it looks weird for me. But that's great thinking!
It’s impossible to do astronomy in San Francisco. Move to the south bay, buddy 🤣 I have the AT130EDT, and while it’s not perfect, I can say it is fantastic!
Hahaha, well, I am glad you understand my pain. Ooooh 130EDT sounds like a beast!
as much as I d like having the focuser knobs on the bottom of the scope too, installing risers is just adding to the omomentum of the mount, and that very problem can be solved by just rotating the scope and having the focuser on top
Omg... Facepalm moment right here. Why didn't I think of that? I could have just flipped the scope upside down instead of waiting for the risers to arrive... Fail. Thanks for pointing that out to me! Appreciate it (facepalm)
@@nocturneastro2539 Hi, Where did you get the risers? ONE problem! Vittorio is right but it puts the mounting Shoes on the bottom of the scope, I can not mount my finder scope or my ASIAIR underneath! I still need the risers, I have the Astrotech 72EDII, with a .8 Flattener reducer,
@@tomhoskins4913 got them from Agena Astro
Good review. Was that a WO flattener you attached?
Thanks! It was the WO FLAT6AIII that was designed to use for the GT81. And because they're similar enough, I thought it would work too on the Astro-Tech AT80EDT, but nope. I couldn't get round enough of stars in the corner. The Hotech SCA 1:1 field flattener gave a more satisfying result.
I only accept a test of any APO scope in broadbanding, for narrowbanding even an achromatic scope can be fine.
Can it capture galaxies?
Is this different from the AT80ED? That I think has focal length of 560mm f/7.
Yes, this is the triplet. 80ED is a doublet.
*gets up close to camera and talks softly*
*immediately follows it up with loud montage music*
:)
I wouldn't call $750 entry level at all. Reflector telescopes firmly have the real entry level apochromatic field covered and any narrowband stuff can be covered by a good doublet or a reflector.
Anyone considering expensive triplets because they have bottomless pockets is better off getting a reflector and using the extra funds on a even better mount and/or other equipment in my opinion.
Looks like a real awesome scope I just wish we could have US prices over here in the UK lol, for only 56 minutes on that target which you called the Jokers smile (never heard that one before but I totally get it) it came out very well.
How are you finding the 26C camera? I got myself a 269C & had a few goes with it on the RASA with varying results although like you say it might be time to switch scopes soon either that or use a larger sensor camera.
I think over in the UK, the "Astro-Tech" brand is sold under the Altair Astro name. You should check them out. I love my Altair Astro 26C, the sensor is great and you can't beat the purple body! I myself prefer larger sensor, because I'd like to see more. (I can't afford full frame, otherwise I would)
I prefer the larger frame myself as I've imaged with modified DSLR's with APSC sensors for some time now & love the field of view you get, sadly I couldn't afford a 26C while we were at Kelling Heath star party a few weeks back but the 269C they had there for sale was at a price I couldn't refuse, I do have an old QHY8 OSC which is getting temperamental lately but I think I'll be putting some money by for next years star party & go for a 26C.
How about ASTRO-TECH AT152EDT and Esprit 150?
ASTRO-TECH AT152EDT is 152 mm, f8, triplet.... only $4,395....
Esprit 150 is 150 mm, f7, triplet... $8,250....
Frankly, if I did not know the price, ASTRO-TECH looks more premium, but I have not seen either in person....
I am in the market for a 6" refractor... these are my finalists, and wondering if you have access to these and review?
Unfortunately, I won't be able to review neither the AT152EDT or the Esprit 150. Astro-Tech's build quality for the price is amazing and I suspect that to be the case for the 152. However, the Esprit 150 does have the allure of FPL-53 if that's important to you.
shame cant get them in uk!
I think they're sold under the Altair Astro brand name. Check them out!
@@nocturneastro2539 alot more expensive sadly for the same thing
Keep on trolling.