Thanks to its excellent optical quality, the Askar FMA180 PRO f/4.5 APO OTA is an excellent choice for anyone looking for an affordable astrophotography telescope for full-frame cameras. Its compact optical tube is well suited to travel mounts, while its short focal length and wide field of view make it ideal for imaging large areas of the night sky.
The 40 mm objective consists of three lens elements, two of which incorporate low-dispersion ED glass. These effectively minimise chromatic aberration, ensuring sharp, high-contrast images right to the edge of the field. The three-element field flattener reduces the original 220 mm focal length to 180 mm, changing the focal ratio from f/5.5 to f/4.5. With a 55 mm sensor distance (back focus), the corrector can be easily connected to the most commonly used cameras.
The telescope optics are capable of covering sensors up to full-frame format, with an M48 thread provided for accessories. For use with a DSLR camera, all that is needed is the appropriate M48 adapter ring, while dedicated astronomy cameras can also be attached with ease.
With its classic black-and-red finish, the Askar FMA180 PRO f/4.5 APO OTA is particularly eye-catching, while its design also places strong emphasis on practicality. The model features a Vixen dovetail bar mounting option, and a standard finder shoe is also integrated into its telephoto-style design. Focusing is handled by a precisely adjustable internal helical focuser. The optical tube can be freely rotated through 360°, making it easy to set the desired framing.
