♦ Direct M68 (ZEISS) thread for reducer/corrector ♦ 3,7" RPA Photoline rack & pinion focuser with 1:10 dual speed transmission - up to approx. ♦ Temperature compensated and fully adjustable cell ♦ Air spaced triplet lens with Ohara FPL53 element Main charcteristics of the PHOTOLINE 130 mm F7 Deluxe Apo: Now, CCD cameras with large sensors can be used and combined with all common correctors, like the Riccardi 0.75x reducer or the TS PHOTOLINE 3" flattener. The powerful lens is popular especially among astrophotographers, so we decided to offer this Apo with the big 3.7" RPA focuser.
The temperature compensated cell keeps the lenses free of stress even in temperatures below 0 ☌. The 130 mm f/7 triplet Apo refractor is equipped with one of the best lenses in its class, including a proven Ohara FPL53 element. You can speak to Rupert at Astrograph.Īlso OEM scopes are made to different specs, so not all the same.With the Photoline APO series, Teleskop-Service stands for non-compromised optical and mechanical quality. The QA quality from Sharpstar means for APM FPL scopes are now made by Long Perng and or KUO. I thought that APM is one of the premium brands and made in Germany?Īre APMs also made by Sharpstar in China? However be aware of import tax and VAT if you're ordering scopes from them now. I bought quite a few adaptors and eyepieces from them including asking them questions beforehand. Their customer service are very helpful and respond quickly.
And when I did image with it and a TSRED279 reducer (I didn't have the Riccardi at that time), the result was pretty good on par with what you'd expect from a well made Chinese FPL53 triplet although I detected a tiny bit of pinching in the optics (it was a very cold windy night).Īs a brand TS Optics is quite well regarded. I use mine mostly for visual (I use the 115 for imaging) and it works really well. The TS 107mm f/6.5 is basically the same scope as my APM 107/700. I'd use the reviews for the FPL53 version (easily found on the web) as a reference. So overall the results should be comparable to the 53 scopes. The 55 is slightly worse than the 53 on the Abbe scale but is supposed to be easier to work with. There are many 4" f/7 triplets on the market, but most of them are FPL53 based rather than the new FPL55. I had the option of buying a used Esprit 100ED last month, but it had an optical issue, and the sale fell through!
The Esprits are tried and tested, and have quite a following amongst imagers, but I have not read a lot about TS Optics and their scopes? The TS APOs I mentioned above all seem to have better focusers than the Esprit, which would be a bonus when attaching cameras and accessories.Īre the Esprits far superior to the above TS options? Should I just keep waiting?
What are your thoughts on TS Optics and their line of imaging APOs? What is their QA and finishing like? I like the idea of a longer FL, and a 0.8 reducer is available.įPL55? Would that be equivalent or BETTER than FPL53?Ģ- TS-Optics Imaging Star 100 mm f/5.8 Quadruplet Apo with field flatenerģ- TS-Optics PHOTOLINE 107 mm f/6.5 FPL53 Triplet Apo - 3.5" Focuser Have grown tired of waiting, and had a look at Telescope service, and they have a few options in stock.Īnyone here has experience with their Photoline scopes?ġ- TS-Optics CF-APO 102 mm f/7 FPL55 Triplet APO Refractor with CertificateįL 714mm. Have been waiting forever for the Esprit 100ED to be back in stock.