The first thing to say about this new scope from William Optics is the welcome inclusion of a dual speed 2" rack and pinnion focuser.
Designs of rack and pinnion focusers are now so good that they can replicate the smoothness and lack of backlash normally associated with a Crayford focuser, but with the huge advantage of much increased mechanical strength. The rack and pinnion focuer can be fully locked and will not flex or slip even with a very heavy camera combination.
The ZS71 ED features a sharp and well corrected F5.9 ED double
A matched 0.8x Reducer/Flattenr will follow in November 2012.
This scope is ideal for DSLR and widefield CCD Imaging and is fantastic value.
Fit and finish and mechanical quality are typical William Optics and amazing quality at this price.
Included is a Vixen syle mounting bracket, smooth dual speed rack and pinnion focuser with aluminium knob protection cover.
Includes Super-high transmission multi-coating and it's fast focal ratio makes it an ideal travelling set-up for astrophotography, piggybacking or as a spotting scope.
Lens Design
ED glass (Japanese imported Ohara glass) doublet air-spaced, in CNC machined ultra-high precision lens cell. Each lens is Fully Multi-Coated with a special super-high transmission coating (STM Coating) on all surfaces. Low C.A.
Fully baffled to block all extraneous off-axis light rays and prevent glancing reflections, increasing overall contrast. 71 mm clear aperture and F/5.9 focal ratio.
Pure William Optics quality fit and finish: powder-painted white CNC-machined aluminum tube Drawtube travel length 72 mm with graduated scale. Retractable dewshield, smallest size ever and enhanced portability! Super Portable
Retractable dewshield, smallest size ever and enhanced portability!
Astrophotography super-apo
Super-smooth and reliable 1:10 micro focuser for fine focusing during imaging and visual observations alike. Aluminum fine knob protection cover is included. Attention to Packaging
Now available packaged with the new William Optics 0.8x Reducer/Flatener 6. CLick Here for details of Flattener 6
Aperture 71 mm Focal Ratio F/5.9 (F/4.8 with new Reducer/Flattener Focal Length 420 mm Objective Type Doublet, Air Spaced, Fully Multi-Coated, SMC coating. Resolving Power 1.6" Limiting Magnitude 11 Lens Shade Retractable Focuser 2" new R&P Focuser - with 1:10 Dual Speed microfocuser 72 mm Focuser Travel Length 360° Rotatable Design L-type Mount L Bracket Field Stops 2 Baffles Tube Diameter 84 mm (dewshield 96mm) Tube Length 330 mm Fully Retracted 400 mm Fully Extended Tube Weight 5.5 lbs. (2.5 kg)
The TMB designed Triplet Fluorostar is ultimately designed for astronomers who plan to have the best results in photographic/CCD usage as well as fantastic visual views.
The new FLT 110 now comes with a decent and strong 3" Rack and Pinnion Focuser. Only a rack and pinnion focuser has the mechanical strength to hold heavy cameras and accessories without slipping and flexure. They can be fully locked down unlike a Crayford Focuser and once locked will not slip or flex.
This is a hugely welcome addition and really sets these scopes apart from the competition.
Only the best and most expensive APO's are on a par with this instrument which is available at an amazing price for such a high quality APO Refractor.
In addition we are bundling the FLT 110 with the full format TMB designed field flattener. Not to be confused with similar looking clones that use inferior optics and less elements, the TMB designed FLT Flattener works superbly with the FLT 110 and FLT 132 and provides a flat field over a 43mm circle.
Features
Pure William Optics quality fit and finish: powder-painted white CNC-machined aluminum tube, golden finish, retractable dewshield, anodized 360 deg. rotatatable Rack and Pinnion Focuser,dewshield cap.
Highly precise CNC machined lens cell.
Though you will never need it, you have a 2-year warranty from WO, and the certainty that they will be there to assist you even beyond that, if you need!
The FLT 110 has matured into one of the best medium sized APO's on the market. With the new rack and pinnion focuser and FLT Flattener this scope can handle large format CCD Cameras out of the box and at a price which is half that of some competing premium instruments.
Aperture 110mm Focal Ratio F/7 Focal Length 770 mm Objective Type 3 elements Air-spaced, TMB design Resolving Power 1.05" Limiting Magnitude 12.0 Lens Shade Retractable Focuser 3" Dual Speed Heavy Duty Rack and Pinnion 1.25" Adapter Included 1.25" Adapter Brass Compression Rings Tube Diameter 115mm Tube Length 24.6" (625 mm) Fully Retracted Tube Weight 13.5 lbs.( 6.1 kg) Case High Quality soft carry Case
The FLT98 is a portable, high quality, versatile APO telescope designed for individuals who want a very high quality instrument in a relatively compact package. Optically these scopes have been a great success and are amongst the very best 4" class APO refactors available.
The new FLT 98 now comes with a decent and strong 3" Rack and Pinnion Focuser. Only a a rack and pinnion focuser has the mechanical strength to hold heavy cameras and accessories without slipping and flexure. They can be fully locked down unlile a Crayford and once locked will not slip or flex.
This is hugely welcome addition and really sets these scopes apart from the competition.
Stunning Optics
Features a top-quality triplet f/6.3 air-spaced objective
This scope is extremely sharp and has great color correction. It is ideal for astrophotography and with the FLT flattener will provide full format imaging at the fast F6.3 focal ratio.
Precision optics with STM coatings.
Designed by leading Russian designer with FPL-53 glass.
Simply Beautiful Finish
Solid CNC-machined mounting rings included in the price.
Pure William Optics quality fit and finish: powder-painted white CNC-machined aluminum tube, golden finish, retractable dewshield, anodized 360 deg. rotatatable rack and pinnion focuser, dewshield cap.
Total Quality Package
Dedicated field flattener available. 2" & 1.25" adapters included.
All with brass anti-marring compression rings.
High Quality Soft Carry Case.
The new William Optics FLT 151 features a fast F6.7 FPL 53 Triplet APO Objective lens.
Providing excellent colour correction together with super sharp and contrasty images the FLT 151 is ideal for both astro imaging and critical visual observing.
The F6.7 FPL 53 triplet has been designed to work with the WO Flattener IV at F5.36 and provide a fast and flat field of view.
Included with the Telescope is a Starlight Instrument 3.5" Dual Speed Feathertouch Rack and Pinnion Focuser - the best refractor focuser available and which can handle the weight of any camera combination commonly available.
The FLT 151 comes complete with CNC tubes rings and 2" and 1.25" adaptors.
Price does not include delivery charge
151mm F6.7 FPL 53 Triplet APO Objective Dual Focal Length (when used with Flattener IV) Focal Length at F6.7 1011mm Focal Length when used at F5.36 - 810mm Weight- 13 KG Tube Length Retracted - Approx 900mm
Tube Length Extended - Approx 1090mm
Lens Shade - retractable
The new William Optics FLT 132 DDG includes 3 important new features
1) New Optical design. The latest FPL 53 triplet lens features a new and improved central element that provides superior contrast when compared to the original design
2) A new Steel lens cell that allows the scope to be used at very low temperatures without fear of the cell pinching the optics and also gives great robustness
3) The new improved DDG digital focuser. It has better load bearing capacity than the original focuser.
The new FLT 132 DDG is a premium instrument and one of the best value and most versatile high quality APO refractors available.
Combine the FLT 132 with the FLT Flattener for full format 35mm CCD or DSLR imaging.
The FLT 132 is a true dual purpose scope.
It provides stunning sharp and contrasty images and delivers delightful planetary views as well as punching well above it's weight for deep sky observing.
In addition it performs superbly as an astrograph and is one of the few scopes able to handle full format 35mm CCD Cameras and DSLR's when used with the dedicated FLT Flattener.
It can also handle APS sized sensors and the popular Kodak KAF 8300 8.3MP sensors when used with the Flattener IV at F5.6
As usual with William Optics the fit and finish is exemplary.
Includes high quality CNC tube rings and hard case.
The IKHAROS Full Format Field Flattener Can Be Purchased at the same time as the FLT 110 for £73
Aperture 132mm Focal Ratio F/7 Focal Length 925mm Objective Type 3 elements, Air-spaced, FPL-53 Resolving Power 0.86" Limiting Magnitude 14.5 Lens Shade Retractable (O.D. 168mm) Focuser 3.5" NEW heavy duty DDG focuser 360° rotatable graduated camera adjuster 1.25" Adapter included 1.25" Adapter Brass Compression Rings Tube Diameter 141mm Tube Length 104cm (Fully Extended) 78cm (Fully Retracted) Tube Weight 9kg Case High-quality Aluminum Case Case Dimensions (WxHxD) 99cm x 34cm x 30cm Case Weight 13.5kg