Photos to follow when I get home...
I have a brand new ZS80 II ED (80mm, f/6.8) bought direct from William Optics about 2 months ago. It has been out on my balcony three times to test the optics. Condition is absolutely as new. Comes with aluminium case, L-bracket, etc. This is the new blue model, not the previous purple one. See WO website for full details (link below).
http://www.williamoptics.com/telesco...d_features.htm
I bought this scope to be my small, portable 'extra' scope for travelling, whale-watching, etc. It sits nicely on a standard camera tripod. The reason I'm thinking of selling is that WO has just announced a new 72mm scope for next year, and the smaller size will suit me better. I also already have a Megrez 90 and the two scopes are just too similar in size.
Those interested in the technicalities of lens quality will note that this scope uses FPL-51 glass, which means that the colour correction isn't quite as good as other scopes that use FPL-53, but it's still pretty good. I had a look at Mars last week and could clearly see the surface markings, even though Mars was low over the neighbouring buildings and the seeing was poor. The image was very similar to the Megrez 90, which I had set up beside it.
WO markets this as an ideal second scope, or entry-level 'APO' (I won't debate whether this really is an APO, it clearly isn't in the true sense of the word). It would also be good for imaging, as it has very sharp optics and a smooth 10:1 dual-speed focuser. The quality of the construction is of the usual high standard you expect from William Optics, and it's one nice-looking scope (even my wife loves it, and will be upset if I sell it!).
Price is A$650 or best offer. That represents approx 20% off the best price I've seen advertised by a vendor.
Note that if anyone wants this for Christmas, we would need to arrange pickup by Thursday this week, as I'm off to Melbourne on Friday and won't be back until late on Boxing Day.
Cheers
Morton
