#1  
Old 07-11-2024, 05:12 PM
DebinOz (Deborah)
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Question Telescope recommendations for SA-gTi

Hi. I am a newbie and setting up my first deep sky rig after years of untracked Milky Way shots. I have a star adventurer GTi and have set up a guiding system using ASi mini guide cam and SVBony mini guide scope on a Mele mini PC with Nina, Asc, PHD2, Stellarium and of course Synscan. I am currently shooting with a Canon 6Dii and Samyang 135 ed f2.

I would like to upgrade to a refractor which will allow me both better deep sky imaging of bright wide field targets, as well as something that I can take along to viewing nights at the local astronomical society to do some limited viewing.

I also need it to be portable enough to take out camping as I like to get away to darker skies than Suburban Sydney!

Can anyone recommend a refractor that I can pick up new or used for under $1k that would fit the bill? I have seen some used ones around that are 61,72 and 80mm. I am not sure which would work best for my use case on that mount.

Thanks!
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Old 07-11-2024, 11:38 PM
Leo.G (Leo)
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Sorry but I have no idea on pricing but the Williams Optics redcat (and other) series get quite the rave mention in here along with stunning images starting with the 51mm I believe. As for used, there's many a nice rig comes up in the classifieds at very reasonable prices and I'd keep an eye on them or put a request in the wanted section. I think they have a 51mm, 62mm 72mm, 80mm and the size just keeps going up along with the price but from what I've seen and read on here it would be my brand choice especially with portability in mind for camping where size and weight are often a consideration. The prices also reflect whether they are a doublet or triplet set-up and I'm not familiar with the range and what has what.
The Skywatcher 80ED also seems to get good reviews and be a highly liked unit but I'm not sure on prices or the physical dimensions of the unit but a quick Google search would soon show the information.
From experience with other cheaper scopes (original William Optics Megrez 80mm), an amazing little travel scope but not the optical quality of the redcats (much older) but maybe with an 80mm you won't be getting the wide filed you want, I haven't looked into any of it because its all beyond my price range.


https://williamoptics.com/collections/cat-series


These are American prices I think but worth a look.


Good luck and clear skies!
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Old 08-11-2024, 07:34 AM
JA
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Hi,
I would seek out a good used Canon 300mm f4 L lens. Fast, convenient, no adaptors. Refer eBay.

Best
JA
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Old 09-11-2024, 01:39 PM
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Also Pentax 300 645 F4 EDIF.

ED glass and only needs 1 cheapish adapter to Canon. I have used one quite a bit.

https://pbase.com/gregbradley/image/170433412/large

Greg.
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Old 25-11-2024, 06:35 PM
DebinOz (Deborah)
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I can get a used redcat or Z61 for the same money as a used 300 F4 lens, and for a little more, the 100-400 f5.6.

If money doesn't come into it, which is going to give better, crisper images of nebulae and galaxies?
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Old 28-11-2024, 07:45 AM
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I would say the Redcat or the Z61.

Not so sure about the zoom as generally speaking zoom are not as sharp as prime lenses.

Greg.
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  #7  
Old 28-11-2024, 02:44 PM
DebinOz (Deborah)
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I ended up buying a reconditioned RedCat for $950 off William optics direct - they are on sale for Black Friday and the v2 is relatively cheap as the new one just came out. I am excited! All we need are some clear skies. 🙏
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Old 28-11-2024, 03:23 PM
Leo.G (Leo)
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It's your fault this storm hit Deborah?


I hope you get plenty of clear skies and plenty of amazing nights with it. From what little I know of Williams Optics other than owning an original model Megrez 80mm refractor for several yaers (my goto portable) and having 2 WO focusers which get swapped between various sized refractors (plus the one on the Megrez I don't swap out) is the equipment is well made and good quality.


What size is the Redcat?


I have them on my bucket list, I've seen amazing images taken with them posted on here.
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Old 29-11-2024, 11:06 AM
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I have for sale an Askar 65PHQ and reducer, this gives the ability to shoot at 416mm f/6.4, or you can use the reducer to image at 312mm f/4.8.

Being a quintuplet, its a lot like the redcat, in that its imaging field is completely flat straight out of the box, and the reducer is not required to flatten the field. The use of the reducer is only to provide a wider field of view.
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  #10  
Old 29-11-2024, 11:07 AM
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as a note - I'm selling the 65PHQ with reducer for $1000...
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