New William Optics Refractor - FLT98

[cookie8 (Vincent)]

Wow what a piece of mouthwatering fine art! Refractoritis has no cure!

[Ian Robinson]

Would make a very nice finderscope ....

[AlexN]

lol Ian... Overkill perhaps?

[anj026]

I think I read somewhere that there is only 100 scopes being made. I think also that the lens is an Astreya (Russian manuafacture like the FLT158). It sure is tempting.

[Matty P (Matt)]

Originally Posted by anj026

I think I read somewhere that there is only 100 scopes being made. I think also that the lens is an Astreya (Russian manuafacture like the FLT158). It sure is tempting.

If that is true Andy I better get one fairly quickly otherwise I might miss out.

I'm positive that they will make more than 100...

[AlexN]

but wouldnt you feel awesome if you get one and theres only 100 made

Limited Edition Fluorite Triplet... Not many astronomers can claim that

[Matty P (Matt)]

I was just wondering if I would still need the field flattener with the FLT98?

I would probably end up purchasing one anyway but is it necessary?

[Matty P (Matt)]

Originally Posted by AlexN

but wouldnt you feel awesome if you get one and theres only 100 made

Two words..... Hell Yes!

[mick pinner]

it is recommended Matt.

[AlexN]

I'd recommend a field flattener for any refractor intended for photographic work...

[Matty P (Matt)]

Thanks for the help, I'd probably purchase one with the scope.

Which one would you guys recommend?

[AlexN]

the william optics Field Flattener / Reducer Version III...

If you end up going for the M90, the FF/R III is not the best choice, apparently it has better results with the FF/R II.

The FLT98 would be well suited to the Version III

[Matty P (Matt)]

I just found a small writeup on the WO FLT98 in the September issue of AS&T. Have a look on page 40 for the writeup and page 42 for the image.

It actually states that initial production is being limited to 100 units.

[Kal (Andrew)]

This thread over on cloudy nights has some wonderful pics of this scope. On the lens, it says that it is designed by Andrey Strakhov - Yahoo group on him here. As someone already mentioned, I believe Astreya is making the lens.

[prova]

I'd have one of these everyday of the week over the WO and the Vixen is Made in Japan with a superb R&P focuser and LESS than half the price brand new (if you paid what I did)

http://www.vixenoptics.com/refractors/ed81.htm

[Stephen65]

Yes, apparently the lens is made by Astreya in Russia, its an FPL-53 triplet APO and the reports so far on CN are very favourable. I'm tempted to sell my Megrez 90 to help pay for one of these.

[TrevorW]

This is a nice scope and Williams do make good gear but what about the scopes from A&M with carbon fibre bodies, these are really something.

http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1509

IMO

[citivolus (Ric)]

I think I have a need to upgrade Mr. Megrez.

Now to break it to the wife (who would notice if the OTA mysteriously changed colour one day)

[AlexN]

tell her you bought some of that "plastic stick on carbon fiber look contact" to give your scope the personalised edge!! the extra 8mm... welll as it gets love, and comes of age, the scope grows..

You'll probably get smacked around a bit for those comments, but It will be funny for us to hear about later

[citivolus (Ric)]

She's already watched it turn from an ED80 into the Megrez 90 without blinking (it turned white over night), so I probably could get away with it, but I'll probably have to wait a few months. Fortunately her photography equipment is worth as much as my astronomy gear I just have to figure out how I could write it off as a business expense.

I look forward to seeing some photographic comparisons to other scopes in its size range.

Edit: I do have to compare imaging quality with the GSO RC's, as they would both be fighting for my money. I think she would notice if I got both.

Eric