SHARPSTAR 61EDPH-II APO TRIPLET F/5.5 or ASKAR FRA300 PRO F/5 APO REFRACTOR

[RugbyRene (Rene)]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a wide field scope and am considering the following:

SHARPSTAR 61EDPH-II APO TRIPLET F/5.5 - $1299
ASKAR FRA300 PRO F/5 APO REFRACTOR - $1699

Is the Askar worth it for the extra $400?

Rene

[joshman (Josh)]

are you factoring in the need to purchase a flattener for the sharpstar61?

[RugbyRene (Rene)]

Originally Posted by joshman

are you factoring in the need to purchase a flattener for the sharpstar61?

I hadn't and that is a good point.

Also in terms of image quality which is superior?

[joshman (Josh)]

Originally Posted by RugbyRene

I hadn't and that is a good point.

Also in terms of image quality which is superior?

That I can't help you with. Might be good to go looking for some reviews online, buy reputable, so you can return if you get a dud.

[Nikolas (Nik)]

I have the Askar 300 and I swear by it for flat field and image quality. For the Sharpstar you'll have to purchase a flattener and/or reducer which when you add the cost to them it equals the Askar

[pmrid (Peter)]

I have a SharpStar61EDPH II and a 94EDPH and have the proprietary reducers for both. I have absolutely no complaint about either. The 61 is magic for widefields especially when coupled with a full-frame sensor. I don't have an ASKAR but wonder whether they don't have the same parentage. It would be interesting to find out.
I just withdrew my 61EDPH from sale yesterday because of a lack of response. Ironic isn't it?

[Nikolas (Nik)]

Askar is the premium version of the Sharpstar with petzval designs mainly

[triplej3 (Jordo)]

i also own sharpstar 61 edphii with flattener. had issues with chromatic adoration, contacted sharpstar via email, sent photos and they sent me a new objective lens and let me keep the old one. the new lens has very slight fringing tho for the price carnt complain.