60mm APO

Post by **Airconvent** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 11:46 pm

Was wondering now that the Chinese have introduced low cost APOs for the 80mm and above range, I wonder if they will ever produce a 60mm version?
The Tak FS60/FC60 are beautiful but $$$. The televue 60 is no different and its downright ugly. Perhaps a Skywatcher 60mm APO would be the ultimate portable scope you can buy and bring along overseas trips..
So anyone knows of a cheaper 60mm APO scopes besides the Tak and TV?

ariefm71 · Post by **ariefm71** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 11:50 pm

WO ZS66

Post by **Airconvent** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 12:05 am

The william optics uses the infamous "semi apo" optics and they do indicate there will be some colour, so I'm not sure if it can be considered a true "apo" scope.

On the other hand, the FS60 is better looking, offers a shorter focal length (355mm or 264mm with reducer) for wider views plus its true APO.

Price wise...well, that's another story...
Based on the US$499 for an 80mm ED scope, if they price it down to US$349 for a 60mm model, maybe people will still bite...

Tachyon · Post by **Tachyon** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 1:09 am

WO does have a ZS66 Triplet APO (US$498):
http://www.william-optics.com/wowebs/pr ... tures0.htm

Rough estimate of overall color correction is 1/8000 (APO) or better:
http://www.astromart.com/forums/viewpos ... _id=385977

Cheers!

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 1:33 am

Recently taken delivery of a WO ZS66. It's a lovely scope and remarkably well engineered. I am impressed by the build quality. Good focusser too.

Go well!
Jeremy

Post by **Airconvent** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 3:37 am

Tachyon wrote:WO does have a ZS66 Triplet APO (US$498):
http://www.william-optics.com/wowebs/pr ... tures0.htm

Rough estimate of overall color correction is 1/8000 (APO) or better:
http://www.astromart.com/forums/viewpos ... _id=385977

Cheers!

ah thanks Andrew.
i missed that one!

Post by **Airconvent** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 3:40 am

Jeremy wrote:Recently taken delivery of a WO ZS66. It's a lovely scope and remarkably well engineered. I am impressed by the build quality. Good focusser too.

Go well!
Jeremy

hello jeremy,
so glad you can join in again! I thought you already have the Pentax...any special interest for the 66mm?
looking forward to your new images from the UK skies..
cheers
rich

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 5:34 am

Hello Rich,
Good to hear from you!

I sold the Pentax 75SDHF as I simply do not use it - the Tak FS102 is such a good imaging platform. The ZS66 is a fraction of the price (although not quite so well colour corrected, but it's very good) and I bought it as a guide scope.

Still doing quite a bit of imaging - mostly comets. But the bulk of my work is CCD phtometry of cataclysmic variable stars. Here's an example of an SN I have been following:

http://www.webbsociety.freeserve.co.uk/ ... 004et.html

and here's a recent comet:

http://www.theastronomer.org/comets/200 ... shears.jpg

Go well!
Jeremy

Post by **rcj** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 11:17 pm

Good to hear from you again, Jeremy! Nice comet you have there!