New Astro-Physics scope at NEAF

[Kal (Andrew)]

I was expecting a Riccardi-Honders Cassegrain, but instead Roland has displayed a 305mm f/3.8 Riccardi-Honders Astrograph. Like many AP products no fixed time on production or price yet (they have it displayed side by side on a 3600GTO mount with last years NEAF showing of a 305mm f/12.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain)

Pics on the Astro-Physics website under 'events', or click here and here

Apparently Marge was starting a notification list at NEAF, rumoured price around $20K

[gregbradley]

Thanks for pointing that out Kal.

I put my name on the notification list. That would be a killer scope.
It'd put the ASA's to shame.

Greg.

[Miaplacidus (Brian)]

I'll put my name down on the list too.

(Closer to the delivery date I'll let you guys put your name down on mine...)

[KenGee (Kenith Gee)]

want one.

[jase (Jason)]

Certainly would make a lovely DSO imaging scope...but not much else given secondary obstruction is 50%. Contrast would by lame for any form of visual use.

[gregbradley]

Originally Posted by jase

Certainly would make a lovely DSO imaging scope...but not much else given secondary obstruction is 50%. Contrast would by lame for any form of visual use.

Oh my, is that criticism of an AP?? No AP for you!

Its marketed as an Astrograph.

Greg.

[Kal (Andrew)]

I wonder what 'magic material' the tube is made from? In typical Roland fashion his attention to detail is astonishing, as opposed to other companies who would probably shove it in a CF tube and use the CF marketing gravy train to their advantage.

The focus will be quite stable because the tube material was chosen to
counteract the natural shift of focus of the crown glass elements. It is not
aluminum - which would cause horrible focus shift. It is not carbon fiber -
which would cause horrible focus shift in the other direction. It is magic
material.

[gregbradley]

Roland is a perfectionist and that's why we love him.

Greg.