IanKingimaging

IanKingImaging are now authorised Takahahsi re-sellers and all Takahashi products sold by us come complete with a full UK/European Warranty.

Takahashi telescopes,mounts and accessories are highly acclaimed and recognised the world over as being amongst the very best of their kind.

We are pleased to offer a range of Takahashi Apochromatic Refractors and Astrographs as detailed within these web pages.

We aim to maintain scopes like the
TSA 102/FSQ85/106 in stock for immediate delivery where possible.

Although our web presentation does not yet include the full range of Takahashi products, please contact us for a quotation on any product not featured here.

The Takahashi FS-60CB apochromatic refractor is the itinerant telescope par excellence. It features exceptional optical and mechanichal qualities (objective with Fluorite doublet) and an incredible compact design. All Takahashi is in it.

Its great versatility will charm all the observers. It can easily be used for the visual observation, as well as astronomical or terrestrial. For the photographers, it is transformed into wide field astrograph or guiding scope. For this last function, Takahashi proposes even an optional specific parallel support, the TGM.

Apochromatic objective with Fluorite doublet
Its first quality comes from its apochromatic objective with Fluorite doublet of 60mm of aperture, as good as refractors with higher diameter. The FS-60 will astonish more than one purist. When one knows what one can obtain from an excellent short focal length optic (F=355mm, F/D 5,9) in imaging, we immediately understand all the advantage of this small compact and transportable telescope.

Exceptional mechanics
Excellent Takahashi mechanics propels the FS-60CB at the top of the refractors of this category. Its tighted rack-and-pinion focuser is designed for astrophotography and CCD imaging. A thumb screw maintains the focuser in position whatever the direction of pointing is.

Versatility and performances
Light and compact, the FS-60CB can be easily change into planetary telescope or wide field CCD imager or auxiliary instrument for guiding, and this, thanks to a vast range of accessories.

The Takahashi FC-76DS is a doublet flourite apochromat refractor telescope design with a 76mm aperture operating at a f/7.5 focal ratio.

Features a the Sky-90 2.6” focuser to better hold imaging packages which include DSLRs and CCD cameras with filter wheels.

The design of the Takahashi FC-76DS takes advantage of the advances in high resolution digital imaging.

A sliding dew shield is also included and a larger OD 95mm tube.

The Takahashi FC-76 Series is an updated version of the original from 1980. The multi-coated fluorite rear lens and eco-glass front element provides maximum light transmission. The design takes advantage of the advances in high resolution digital imaging. The advanced design allows the focal length to be reduced by 30mm 594mm at f/7.8.

The FC-76DS model features a the Sky-90 2.6” focuser to better hold imaging packages which include DSLR’s and CCD cameras with filter wheels. An optional dedicated flattener as well as extender are available to further enhance the capabilities of the FC-76DS. A sliding dew shield is also included and a larger OD 95mm tube is standard.

The FC-76DC is also available which features a smaller diameter 80mm tube instead of the 95mm diameter tube found on the FC-76DS

The optional dedicated reducer changes the focal length to 417mm with a focal ratio of f/5.5 and an image circle of 36mm. The dedicated flattener operates at f/7.8 and 594mm produces a 40mm flat circle.

The SKY-90 is the ideal compromise between a wide-field astrograph and general-purpose observation refractor. Its great compactness makes it an excellent companion for the astrophotographer.

Equipped with an apochromatic objective with Fluorite doublet of 90mm of aperture (F/5.6), it constitutes an unequalled optic for those wishing to have a highly effective transportable and general-purpose telescope.

The Sky 9 is light and highly portable, it does not require massive mounting.

A vast range of accessories makes it possible to cover large uses of amateur astronomy, in particular two specific accessories, a focal reducer (F/4.5) and a 1.6x extender (see variations in pull down menu below).

Apochromatic objective with Fluorite doublet
The SKY-90, in spite of its short focal distance, is ideal for both visual and astro imaging, thanks to its very wide chromatic correction and thanks to some subtle compromises : a light under-correction of the spherical aberration at prime focus, the Extender-Q/corrector 1.6x optional addition and an objective assembled on adjustable barrel.

Mechanics
In order to fulfill the requirements of imaging, the SKY-90 does not make any concession on mechanics. It is equipped with a precise and strong rack-and-pinion focuser with focussing lock.

The focuser is equipped with a 50.8mm adapter which it is placed well in front of the focal plane, to allow a greater combination of useable accessories and enable the handling of camera's equipped with large CCD sensors.

Retractable dewshield

The SKY-90 is very compact. Once the dewshield is retracted, the length of the optical tube assembly is only of 480mm, excluding optional accessories placed at prime focus.

The tube weighs only 3,2 kg.

The Takahashi Collimating Telescope is an invaluable aid to collimating a Ritchey Chretien Cassegrain in the daytime with a great deal of accuracy.

The focusing eyepiece at the top of the scope is pulled in and out to focus on components within the telescope being collimated. A highly polished mirror is threaded into the front of the objective lens of the collimating scope. The mirror has a sighting hole in its center that the collimating scope looks through. The reflecting surface of the mirror faces the telescope being collimated, and is set at a 45° angle to the scope?s light path, similar to the polished surface in a Cheshire collimating tool. Its face is illuminated by shining a light through an opaque white window in the side of the scope.

We supply the Takahashi Collimating Scope with the Takahahsi TATKP00103 and TATKP00113 adaptors that convert it for use with a standard 2" pushfit focuser.

For astrophotographers the FSQ-106ED is one of the best astrographs available.

With its focal length of 530mm, an image circle of 88mm and a photographic field of 9,5°, it acts as a teleobjective for the most powerful CCD and DSR/DSLR cameras on the market.

Based on a Petzval quadruplet optical design with apochromatic ED glasses, the FSQ-106ED is optimized for wide-field imaging of deep sky targets. It offers a flat field, and comes equiped with a built-in camera angle adjuster and an oversized rack-and-pinion focuser. To minimize the size of the optical tube, it includes a retractable dewshield and generous backfocus.

The modified Petzval design of the FSQ-106ED, with the field flattener integrated inside the tube, makes it possible to cover all the photographic formats, from smaller sensor cameras to 35mm SLR/DSLR to 6x7 cameras. Its photographic image circle of 88mm diameter stands out amongst competing refractor designs in this aperture bracket.

Even users of the massive 36x36mm 16803 CCD sensors will find the FSQ106 ED provides pinppoint stars from corner to corner

As is the tradition inside the Takahashi company, the objective is entirely collimatable in order to compensate for the possible mechanical and thermal stresses.

Takahashi chose a modified Petzval quadruplet apochromat, with integrated flattener, in order to cover the largest possible field, while minimizing the geometric aberrations.

The optional F3.6 focal reducer allows users to fine tune the optical system further and gives even greater versatility.

The optical and mechanical quality of the FSQ 106ED is outstanding and this telescope is the perfect tool for outstanding high resolution wide field imaging.

The FSQ-85ED is based on the same ED glass Petzval quadruplet design as the FSQ-106ED model, but offers a focal length of 450mm and a photo field of 5.6°, which is ideal for Widefield photography.

It is equipped with an oversized rack-and-pinion focuser

An optional focal reducer is also available which transforms the FSQ 85 into a true astronomicalwidefield teleobjective with a focal length of 328mm and with a focal ratio of 3.9, providing a field of view of 7° and a 40mm image circle.

Weighting only 4kg without accessories, the FSQ 85 is ideal as an ultra portable high quality astrograph and can be used on smaller lighter weight mountings.

The FSQ-85ED modified Petzval quadruplet design is the same as the FSQ-106ED one. It has a built-in flattener inside the optical tube, offering a field of 5.6°. With a focal length of 450mm, the image circle is 44mm width.

The FSQ-85ED is equipped with an oversized rack-and-pinion focuser, just like the 106ED. The camera angle adjuster is not however standard equipment with the FSQ 85

The rack-and-pinion has been oversized on purpose to provide strength and precision.

It is driven by two focus wheels with a 1/7 microfocuser.

The FSQ 85 is the ultimate in highly portable refractor astrographs. It offers fantastic flat widefield images suitable for 35mm sensors with no external flattener requirements.

The Takahashi TSA-102 refractor has became the worthy replacement to the FS-102. The apochromatic objective of 102mm of aperture (F/8) forsook its classical optical design of a Fluorite doublet for an ED triplet set in a simple barrel, whose results are just as outstanding.

The TSA-102 remains the most general-purpose telescope of the Takahashi range, adapted not only for planetary high-resolution observation but also for deep sky imaging, while still being easily transportable.

As usual with Takahashi, the TSA-102 enjoys vast a range of accessories, adapted to nearly all uses.

It has an excellent record in fields as varied as planetary observation or deep sky imaging.

The TSA-102 is equipped with an apochromatic objective with ED triplet of 102mm aperture (F=816mm, F/8), set in a simple barrel. This barrel ensures a good stability of the opto-mechanical chain against the usual constraints of transport and against variations of temperature in use. The TSA-102N is proposed with a fixed dew shield while the TSA-102S has a retractable dew shield.

The short tube of the TSA-102 (717mm without the delivered extension tube) ensures ease of transport. It allows also the use of many kinds of accessories

The standard 50.8mm adapter provies almost universal compatibility even if the use of the optional camera angle adjuster (CAA) is highly recommended.

The addition of the optional field corrector allows imaging at prime focus with the F/8 default focal ratio. The TOA-RD reducer (F/6) makes for a faster shorter focal length system ideal for widefield astro photography.

All the assemblies fulfill the requirements of rigidity and flexibility needed by modern astro imaging devices.

The TSA 102 is a superb and versatile all round apochromatic refractor. ideally suited for both visual and astro photographic use whilst maintaining portability.

The TSA 120 is an intermediate instrument between the TSA-102, of which it shares similar features and the TOA-130.

The TSA-120 refractor replaces the famous FS-128.
The TSA-120 is characterized by its simplicity, its versatility and it's exceptional quality/price ratio.

TSA-120 features the specifications of the TSA-102S IE an apochromatic objective with triplet ED, a retractable dew-shield, great mechanics and versatility of use, both visual and photographic. Moreover, the TSA-120 is extremely light, it weighs only 6.7 kg. Even when TSA-120 is fully equipped for CCD imaging, a medium sized mount will easily hold it.

This refractor can be equipped with the same optical accessories as the TSA-102

The TSA-120 is equipped with an apochromatic objective with triplet ED lenses of 120mm of diameter (F=900mm, F/7.7), set in a simple barrel. This barrel ensures good stability of the opto-mechanical chain against the usual constraints of transport and against variations of temperature in use. The TSA-120 includes a retractable dew shield.

The short tube of the TSA-120 helps with portability. It also allows the use of many kinds of accessories,

The standard 50.8mm adapter provides almost universal compatibility even if the use of the optional camera angle adjuster (CAA) is highly recommended.

The TSA 120 is a superb medium aperture apochromat that will provide wonderful views of The Moon/Planets and wide field deep sky and is also an excellent tool for CCD and DSLR Imaging.

The Takahashi Epsilon-180ED (D=180mm, F/2.8), based on a catadioptric telescope design offers a fundamental innovation compared with Newton reflector or Schmidt astrograph. Therefore, the Epsilon-180ED suits both visual observation and large field imaging needs.

The Epsilon-180ED wide field is perfectly flat and allows the use of traditional photographic formats as 24x36 (35mm) or 6x6 and even 6x9. Stellar images of less 20µ can be recorded, which highlights the extreme accuracy of this telescope. Epsilon's images provide incomparable contrast and sharpness.

The optical tube assembly (hyperbolical Newton) gives an image with very high contrast even with stars located at the edge of the field. Regardless of its photographic qualities, Epsilon-180ED is a first rate telescope for wide field observation. Observation of stellar fields, star clusters and galaxies are spectacular.

The rack-and-pinion focuser has a rotary system for framing. A microfocuser (MEF-1) is available as an option.
The Epsilon-180ED mechanical design quality is perfectly matched with its optics

The primary mirror cell is equipped with 3 "double-action" collimation screws (pushing/drawing). Moreover, you have 3 screws with counter-nut to adjust the pressure under the primary mirror in order to minimize the stresses due to strong seasonal temperature changes.

Takahashi conceived a simple collimation eyepiece particularly adapted to the Epsilon-180ED. Consequently, you will be able to collimate your Epsilon-180ED during daytime.