William Optics FLT-132 apo triplet refractor + P-FLAT68 flattener - withdrawn from sa

[naskies]

I'm selling my William Optics FLT-132 apo triplet refractor (132 mm aperture, f/7, 924 mm focal length) and P-FLAT68 field flattener (threaded for 48 mm, includes T-ring adapter) to move towards visual observing and a portable DSLR imaging.

http://www.williamoptics.com/telescopes/flt132_features.php
http://www.williamoptics.com/accessories/TMBflattener_features.php

Scope is just over two years old (I'm the second owner) and is in very good condition; optically and mechanically perfect as far as I can tell. No visible damage other than minor scratches and dust from normal handling. Includes: OTA, 10:1 focuser (note: this is not the digital model as currently shipping), cap, D-style mounting plate and rings, 1.25" diagonal, protective hard case with wheels, original cardboard shipping box, and Bahtinov mask (made by ozstockman).

Field flattener is almost brand new, manufactured by WO in Sep 2011 (under warranty until Sep 2013), and is the new cylindrical shape (instead of the original cone shape that suffered from vignetting on large sensors). Works great with my full-frame digital SLR.

Price is $3,000 + shipping. Feel free to PM me if you'd like to know more.


Once the OTA has been sold, I'll also be selling:

* NEQ6 Pro mount (new as of Aug 2011)
* Orion Awesome Autoguider package
* Thousand Oaks white light, glass solar filter
* Baader 1.25" Moon & Skyglow filter
* Vixen-to-Losmandy saddle converter
* Vixen-style side-by-side saddle
* ADM DUP20 20" universal dovetail (metric)

Also happy to negotiate a price for the lot, or OTA + other bits.


Dave

[willik]

I Dont know why your selling your 132 refractor to go to visual instead of Astrophopography you would need a 12inch telescope to start to see galaxes and planets to see detail you would be disappointed in giving up astrophotography it is not the same think what your doing Just my help
Martin.:question:

[naskies]

I've discussed my reasons in a separate thread, but the short answer is that I don't have time to do imaging properly, but my family and I really enjoy the visual experience.

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=82584

I'm planning on eventually switching to a 16" Dob, pair of binos, and an Astrotrac - all very fast to set up / pack up.

[Poita]

Any false colour at all?

I'm heading towards a mallincam setup for the family to get more instant gratification from nights under the stars, so I can understand your change in direction.

[naskies]

Peter,

I haven't seen any false colour due to optics - only from seeing effects. I'm no scope expert but I am pretty familiar with chromatic aberrations, purple fringing, etc in SLR lenses - I see none of those problems with this scope.

Here are a few samples in case anyone wants to judge for themselves - a couple of 100% crops are also attached here to save downloading the full files. All are unprocessed, straight-out-of-camera except for a RAW conversion in Lightroom:

1. Moon shot with the FLT-132, P-FLAT68 and Canon 5DmkII (ISO 1600, 1/1000 sec). Assuming the height of the moon is 30 arc minutes, the image scale is approximately 1.4 arc seconds per pixel.

http://itee.uq.edu.au/~davel/_temp/Moon-FLT132.jpg (2.2 MB)

2. Moon shot with the FLT-132, WO DuraBright 2" diagonal, TeleVue 5x PowerMate, and Canon 5DmkII (ISO 3200, 1/250 sec). Note that the 1.25" PowerMate vignettes on my full-frame SLR. Using the same scale as before, this image is approximately 0.26 arc seconds per pixel (theoretical resolution of scope is 0.89 arc seconds).

http://itee.uq.edu.au/~davel/_temp/Moon-PowerMate.jpg (11.4 MB)

3. Double-transit of Jupiter (Io and Europa) and Great Red Spot shot with the FLT-132, 2" diagonal, TeleVue 5x PowerMate, Canon 5DmkII (ISO 800, 1/30 sec) and EOS Camera Movie Record at 5x zoom (recording the 100% crop of the centre of the sensor in LiveView mode). Same 0.26 arc seconds per pixel as above.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80YkqLeS228

(I only have a YouTube link because the raw AVI is > 300 MB and still uploading. I'll update this link once it has finished uploaded.)


By the way, the Mallincam seems like a really great concept. I'd definitely go for one if I had a permanent observatory.

[naskies]

I'm would like to sell the scope by early January if possible, if you're interested I'm happy to consider any serious offers (including package deals of scope + other bits).

Scope is the priority - I won't be selling anything else until the scope goes, sorry.

[Lonnie]

Pm sent

[Poita]

Prices?

[dannat]

Are in the bottom ad 3400

[naskies]

Opening price is $3,400 + shipping for scope OTA, rings and D-style mounting plate, hard case, shipping box, field flattener (mount is not included).

Available for pickup/shipping on 12th December 2011. Lonnie currently has right of first refusal - otherwise it goes to anyone willing to pay asking price. If I don't get any takers, I'll start considering offers (but I'm happy to start taking offers via PM).

I'm willing to negotiate a package deal with any of the other items (mount, guider, 2" diagonal, solar filter, plates/saddles) with the scope buyer.

[naskies]

Okay everyone, scope is now officially for sale at $3,400 plus shipping for OTA with flattener. I am very willing to consider serious offers to buy. FYI - the brand new price from Andrews is currently $4,648 for both (with digital focuser).

I'm also happy to sell the OTA without flattener, or with my mount / accessories / etc (see first post), if it helps seal the deal.

Please PM me if interested!

[naskies]

Price drop - $3,200 + shipping for scope + flattener.

[naskies]

I took photos of the flattener because someone expressed interest - posting here in case the sale doesn't go through. Flattener is under manufacturer warranty until Sep 2013. I'm happy to split OTA for $2950 and flattener for $360.

[naskies]

Price drop - $3,000 for scope + flattener (shipping not included).

[midnight]

The FLT scopes from Williams Optics are fantastic. I have a FLT110 with the p-flat68 and very, very happy with this.

At the current price, its a very good buy. If I had the funds I would seriously consider it myself.

Darrin...

[Grimmeister]

I had the pleasure of recently viewing through this scope with David and it is a very nice piece of engineering indeed :eyepop:. If I had the cash I would have purchased it on the spot.

Good luck selling it Dave if you still can after our drooling all over it on Monday night LOL :rofl::rofl::rofl:

Cheers

Anthony Grimshaw

[naskies]

Anthony, I think you and Chris were right... this past week or two of comet chasing has reignited my interest in astro imaging so I think I'll keep the scope and withdraw the ad. Now it's time to go shopping for a CCD...