Telescope for Astrophotography - Askar V Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ส.ค. 2023
- Reviewing the new Askar V modular telescope for astrophotography.
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This is a nice piece of astro - gear! I think the ca is acceptable for the price of the kit. As usual, Mrs. Sarah, you did a fine job reviewing the scope and accessories. Thanks so much for sharing with us!
Thanks for stopping by and saying hello! It’s nice to hear your thoughts on this scope and accessories. Cheers!
I totally love your videos. You are so knowledgeable. I do not know why, but I could listen to you for hours. I have always wanted to improve on my moon and sun photography.
Thank you, Bruce, that is very kind of you. I hope to have some solar photography tutorials in the future. Wishing you clear skies!
Askar V Modular Telescope:
Agena Astro: bit.ly/3QuSjTh
Amazon: amzn.to/48bv3Ab
Another great video Sarah! Very thorough! Thank you
Thank you! 😄
Great review and demo of the different configurations Sarah! I'm considering the Askar V for my Star adventurer GTI.
Thank you, Denis! I think that the Sky Adventurer GTi with the 60mm imaging configs would be great.
Great job Sarah, nice in depth review!
Thanks, Ken! It's been really fun reviewing the Askar V!
Excellent review Sarah, nice piece of kit, thanks for sharing
Thank you, Stephen. I've enjoyed becoming familiar with and seeing what it can do. Thanks for saying hello!
Excellent review Sarah! Looks to be a versatile scope.
Thank you! It is quite versatile. Hope all is well!
Great video! I actually just bought this scope and the same camera. I'm looking forward to some clear skies!
That’s awesome - congrats! I hope you have clear skies very soon :)
very thorough and frank review. Thanks so much.
Thanks, Keith!
An interesting concept with the modular design, well thought out optically.
A great unbiased review, well explained and presented
I would have to agree with you, well thought out, indeed. Thanks also for the kind words and for taking the time to stop by. Cheers!
Outstanding review! Thank you!
Many thanks! Cheers!
“Not awful”, “Not too shabby” - thanks a lot Sarah for being so honest!!!!! 🙏🏻👍🏻
Of course :D
Great review Sarah considering so many variables. I use the 533MC Pro so that was helpful.
Thanks! Lots of things going on to test this, but also very fun and interesting. I’m glad you found this helpful!
Howdy! Just found your channel. Excellent content. I appreciate the insight into astrophotography!
Hey Britt! Thanks very much. Cheers!
Great review and demonstration! This looks like a very handy scope! The price seems decent as well!
Thank you, Conor! It's a nifty device at a fair price.
Exactly what I wanted to learn. Thank you.
Glad to hear that! Cheers.
Very nice review, I like that it is an optical specification review, it's the only channel I know that does this like that. If and when you get a chance to do a Newtonian telescope optical review, without and with corrector, I would be very interested. Additionally testing a Newtonian with the ccd at the secondary position without using a secondary at all would be interesting.
Thank you for the kind words and thank you for the wonderful ideas. I'll add those ideas to my list and try to find myself a Newtonian here. Cheers!
Great Hands on Reviews makes me want to spend money. Excellent
It's a really interesting design, no doubt! Cheers :)
Great review! What a nice option. The CA is a deal breaker for me but gives me hope for similar future designs
Thank you for the kind words and thank you for sharing your thoughts on the CA. I'm always curious to learn what others' tolerance levels of CA and other aberrations are. Cheers
Great review, thanks.
Thanks for stopping by.
thank you - great review
Thanks, Mike!
Love the new logo sequence.
Thanks!! Glad you like it :)
The Askar V and an AM5 would be my dream portable rig. Thanks Sarah.
It’s quite the pair :)
Excellent review Sarah as always! Think I’m gonna stick with my Astro-Tech AT72EDII though which is hard to beat from a price to performance perspective and honestly I’m just dabbling in DSO photography…DSO just keeps me from going crazy during the 9 months of the year I am waiting for prime planetary imaging season to arrive! 😂
Thank you, Rick! You have a nice scope there with the AT72EDII for DSO imaging! And I hope your planetary imaging season is off to a great start this year :) cheers!
What time of the year is planetary viewing season, is it always the same months ever year? Which planets are best to view during the season?
@@Mr.Thermistor7228 Generally August to November in my experience…
Just getting into astrophotography. I recently made an impulse purchase of the Dwarflab Dwarf II and love it and will most likely upgrade.For now can you recommend a post processing software? Love your vids.
Thank you and congrats on starting your astro journey! For post processing (non-linear data), I would recommend Photoshop, PixInsight, GIMP (free), and/ or Siril (free). For pre processing, DeepSkyStacker (Windows), Astro Pixel Processor, Siril, or PixInsight are all great options depending on your operating system, budget, and patience. Hope this helps and cheers!
Excellent review - can you use the field flattener with the reducer and extender?
Thank you! The reducers and the extender are both correctors themselves (field flatteners). So the V Flattener isn't needed with them. Great question!
Solid!
Top KEK once again.
Peace be with you.
Many thanks! Cheers
Nice review! Would you need any additional adapters if you wanted to use a DSLR for this scope?
Thanks! If you were to attach the DSLR to any of the three correctors, you would just need a T-Ring adapter that would go between the camera (attached to your camera's lens mount) and then attaching the T-Ring to the back of the corrector. If you have an APS-C sized camera sensor then I would recommend using the M48 thread of the corrector but if it's a full-frame, I would use the M54. You'll need additional adapters or accessories if the latter to achieve the correct back focus. But with the M48 adapter to the T-Ring to the camera, that should be the correct back focus already for that configuration. Hope this helps!
Broken cassette player, LOL. Great review, Sarah!!
Thank you, Tom!! :D
This is a really interesting product, and there's definitely a market for it, for people who like their gadgets, but I'm guessing a lot of pros would steer clear of it.
But it would be a great little thing to take to star parties, and on camping trips because it's really versatile, you could shoot Andromeda, then switch out the objective and maybe get a close up of the Hercules cluster or something.
Yes, very interesting, indeed. I have really been enjoying it. To your point, it's nice to be able to have FOV/ focal ratio options. Especially on camping trips, star parties, etc. Cheers!
Nice review! After watching your video on the AM3, do you think that this scope would be a good fit? I was glad to see the positive review (since I already have the Askar V), with some CA, which I believe is totally acceptable. I’m contemplating selling my AM5 and getting the AM3 (although it would be hard to part with the AM5 - it’s like the perfect mount). The only reason that I’m considering this is because I had a back injury (accident) a few years ago and trying to get everything as light weight as possible. Thanks!
Thanks Kurt! Sorry to hear about your injury - major kudos for keeping at it with astrophotography despite it all. I do think that the Askar V and the AM3 would make for a nice combo. Just running some initial numbers with the 80mm objective lens and heaviest corrector, along with an astro cam like the ASI2600MC Pro and a guide scope, + guide camera, you're looking at about 5.5 kg. Which is still below the max weight capacity without a counterweight for the AM3 (max payload capacity w/o counterweight is 8 kg). I still plan on testing the Askar V's heaviest and longest focal length combo with the AM3 to see how it performs though. More to come in the next few months. Cheers
@@SarahMathsAstro Yes, thanks. The original injury and subsequent surgeries have definitely helped. Quick question (I hope): What is the best way to ask you for something like a review on, let’s say, the ASKAR 103APO? When I just saw the advertisement the other day, I went “oh no, maybe I should have waited”, but then I looked at the weight and thought I still may a good choice.
@kurtbauch5491 glad to hear that it’s better. You can ask here on TH-cam or any of my social media platforms via messages or comments. TH-cam at the moment is best though.
Hey Sarah, I believe the link for the telescope in the description has a different link. I am directed to the ZWO AM5 instead of the telescope
Hey! Thanks for letting me know. Apologies! Here's the correct link: bit.ly/3QuSjTh
If I would’ve known about this earlier I wouldn’t have bought my EHD 8! What a time to be alive to experience the hobby! I’m seriously considering selling my EQ6R to buy into this system.
Couldn’t agree more! It’s a beautiful time! There’s some really cool products out there that are way more accessible to us than before, which is amazing :)
Sarah, a follow-up question re the Askar. I assume you were using an ASI AIR for image capturing? How do you hand the focal length setting in the ASI AIR app when you change the configuration from 80 to 60mm and add various modifiers? Do you leave it blank, let the app decide, or change it to reflect the particular combination of optics, extenders, etc.?????
Hi Robert, I’ve done all of the above within the ASIAir app. But during my testing I eventually ended up going with resetting the focal length to 0 in the ASIAir app after I made a configuration change each time. I then would focus the optics, then plate solve and wait for the focal length to update in the app. If it was correct, i.e., matched what it should be for a given objective lens and corrector combo (which it was correct the majority of the time), I moved on to polar alignment. I liked doing it that way because if you, for whatever reason, forgot to make an adjustment to one of the correctors’ scales to match the objective lens, the ASIAir would update the focal length from 0 based on actual measurements from the plate solve. So if the focal length was updated to something wonky from 0, I could catch that I forgot to make the adjustment to the scale. This happened once and I found it very helpful. I would assume other times that if it failed to plate solve after manually updating the focal length to the actual focal length number that a possible issue would be that the corrector isn’t adjusted to the correct scale for the objective lens used. So all that is to say is yes, I set it to 0 :)
Good review.
Thank you! It was fun :)
I almost bought this for the value for money one gets but in the end went with something else 😁 Thanks for the review
What did you end up going with? And thanks for watching and for the kind words!
Well I started 3 years ago with the Redcat 51 and Skyguider Pro and I got the AM5 and ASI2600MM earlier this year and as much as I wanted to get a petzval no backfocus worry scope like the FRA 500 I got the WO FLT91 with the 68III Flattener so my back focus pain is about to begin :) @@SarahMathsAstro
Sarah, I've seen chromatic aberration on a $4000.00 Takahashi. My question is, are there any $1600.00, 60 o 80 mm apochromatic without CA?
Nice video. Did the entire nebulae fit in the image of the 80mm? It seemed it did at 60mm with the camera you chose ?
Nice video. Thanks for making it.
I haven't had the chance to check out a Takahashi (dream scope!), but you know, it's not terribly surprising. Just given the nature of refractors. You can do a lot with glass and types of glass and spacing etc, but there's a lot to consider. I really would be very surprised to find any refractor that is $1,600 without CA at those apertures though. And that's why I really think this system is priced more than fairly.
For the 80mm images, the entire nebulae didn't fit all the way. Although, for the 80mm+ Reducer and 80mm + Flattener, it was close. I should have shown a Stellarium image of the FOV since single subs are challenging to reveal much in Bortle 6/7.
@@SarahMathsAstro Thank you. I wish you continued success in all your endeavors. Again, very nice videos.
@@user-yd1zl1tv8x thank you, it's much appreciated. Wishing all the same for you. Cheers
Are the graphs you showed regarding star elongation, a function in Pixinsight? Thanks. Interesting piece of kit.
It is! It’s the FWHMEccentricity script in PI. You have to have a luminance image for it to work. So you can just extract the luminance data from an RGB image and use that. I use the default settings in the script and then run it and then run it again with the “Source” function. That will generate the FWHM and Eccentricity maps I show in the video.
Thanks !@@SarahMathsAstro
Of course!
Obviously, all the config options would result in differing focusing needs. I seem to feel that they should include the bahtinov mask for the each objective.
Indeed, you do need to refocus for each config. I will probably install an EAF to it, but even manually focusing was pretty easy. But yes, agreed that Bahtinov masks would be great to have included.
Thanks!!! Do you think a SA GTI might handle the weight??
I think any of the 60mm configurations would be fine for the SA GTI. Both for focal length range and weight capacity, you're within good thresholds. For the 80mm configuration with the reducer, you may be able to get away with using this setup if your camera and any other imaging accessories e.g., guide camera, guide scope, filter wheel, dovetail, etc., are lightweight. You just wouldn't want to exceed the 11lb payload limit overall. As for the 80mm with either the flattener or extender, even with only a camera, attached, these configurations are pushing the 11lb payload limit and also, these configurations have longer focal lengths which I don't think you'd be able to get consistently good results. But, possibly with no wind, excellent polar alignment, and guiding. Hope this helps!
Hi Sarah, do you know where to mount a 2” filter. It’s not very clear in the description. I just purchased a ZWO ASI2600 Duo and can’t use my old filter drawer. Thanks!
Hi Kurt, congrats on the new camera. I believe with the duo, the 2" filter would go in the M48 x 0.75 threaded adapter side of any of the three correctors of the Askar V. Peter Zelinka uses the Askar V with the 2600 Duo as well as a filter in a recent video if you want to check out his configuration (since he has direct experience with the Duo): th-cam.com/video/KF_zDDY6ig4/w-d-xo.htmlsi=fcQ7aMxQfvnAd7pz
Cheers!
@@SarahMathsAstro Cool, thanks!!
@kurtbauch5491 yep!!
At time 7:33 is there a lot of dust inside tube, lens?
No, I believe the white residue is just from removing the visual back and adding/ removing the corrective accessories.
Grrat video ty again. As a noob i think ill practice with a dslr first ;)
Thanks! I still use a DSLR :) they're awesome and so versatile.
Have you done a video for using a dslr with a telescope. If not I would love if you did a dslr with telescope for dumbys video. I am totally ignorant but thinking of changing to dslr..
Not yet, unfortunately. But it's on my list. As you may have already seen, I do have two videos on astrophotography with a DSLR/ mirrorless camera and different camera lenses.
-One for Deep Space objects with a star tracker (mirrorless camera + 135mm prime telephoto lens, which functions basically the same as a refractor telescope) here: th-cam.com/video/C-X3ky6x8ss/w-d-xo.html
- and one for photographing the Moon with a DSLR and zoom lens, here: th-cam.com/video/G0ZyR2A4TO0/w-d-xo.html
if you have any other video requests regarding a DSLR and a telescope, please let me know!
What Botrle scale are you shooting in?
I was shooting in a Bortle 6/7 with a waxing crescent Moon.
very complicated setup. looks cool and well made. the dust getting-in-the-instrument factor is a real downer. also, how well might this setup be good for landscape photography when adapted to a full frame Canon, Nikon, or Sony? clearly, the assembly, as shown, is adapted for a 1 inch sensor camera, but still one wonders about full frame possibilities and terrestrial imaging opportunities. the chromatic aberration and degree of noise in the images, taken with the instrument, shown in the video is disturbing to me. NONETHELESS, Sarah, i dig your videos and look forward to seeing the next. Stay Awesome!
I think this setup paired with a full-frame from one of those camera brands would perform fine for landscape photography. Since those full-frame cameras typically have larger pixels, it's not ideal for DSO imaging (although not awful... just not great if you want loads of fine detail in a DSO at these focal lengths), but for landscape, 5.34 micron+ pixels are totally fine, in my opinion. And as long as you have a solid mount head and tripod, you're good to go. The 80mm + Reducer would show the most field elongation at the corners, at least from my testing with the 1-inch sensor. Hope this helps! Thanks for stopping by and thank you for the kind words! Cheers :)
I like the modular design but I think the screwing in of many parts leaves the objective, flatteners, reducers and extenders all slightly crooked. Thus is leads to unwanted tilts that lead to CA…shame because it looks so good but the milling has to be better in my opinion. Thanks for sharing.
Great points. I’ll need to double check and see if Cuiv and/or Nico experienced the same. It could have been just this model or me, with user error in some respect. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I'm not sure why you're calling that blue fringing. I didn't see that. Did you use an IR filter? Looked more like atmospheric dispersion or star bloat. I'd like to see this with some filter tests.
Which part specifically? The first configuration I did the optics test on did have blue fringing from atmospheric dispersion. No filters used in any configs.
I want this, but with 100mm and 120mm/130mm objective lenses!
That would be pretty sweet!
Right? And if the same base scope could use 60, 80, 100 and 120 objectives?? That would be amazing! I really love the concept of a modular scope!@@SarahMathsAstro
Can you do an optical test with a Takahashi refractor to see if they are worth the money?
I definitely would if I could get my hands on one. Having a Takahashi is a dream of mine.
Technically impressive telescope - and indeed a beautiful design.
Couldn't agree with you more.
Did you use a filter on these images?
Excellent question. No filter used here. Just lots of light pollution :)
nice, but, how clear and close can it see on surface of the moon
You would be able to see the Moon at a decent magnification with the longest focal length of this system (600mm). But for clarity, it would also depend on your location’s atmospheric seeing conditions. Hope this helps :)
🔥
:D
You are very good at what you do. Very good! You have the potential to be better and knock it out of the park. The only filter to add to this review is an ahh and umm filter. I know the struggle. Such a crutch. You are trying to cram so much info into such a short time. I was in broadcast TV for 5 years and it was a hard habit to break…but it really separates the pros from the wannabes. Great graphic integration. I ended up buying this scope thanks to your review and some others. Looks to be a winner. Subscribed too! 👍🤩
Thank you! I really appreciate your feedback and constructive criticism. The filler words have been a real doozy for me, especially during my streams of consciousness. Certainly a hard habit to break but it's great to get your insight especially coming from your background. I will keep working at it! I'm also glad this review was helpful and I hope you have many wonderful years with your new scope. Thanks again and thanks for subscribing! :) cheers
Finally, somewhere to mount my broken cassette player!
At last!
SCT owners : "Look what they need to mimic a fraction of our power"
:’)
Is it worth it? I would have to say yes, i predict they will sell alot of these. Nice Review.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this! I've been curious to learn what others' thoughts are on this system since it's something different in the astro market. Cheers!
"That checks out" :)
Haha, you caught that :)
Nice Scope and the Price is okay
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!
👍👏
🙏😃
I need a new credit card to buy it 😅 , & why do I think this will be "so cool" to have even if i don't use it.
I know, right? haha :')
Should've hooked your Ra up to it.
Poor resolution combo due to the large pixels is why I didn’t add it. One of these days I’ll have a full-frame with decently small pixels.
@@SarahMathsAstro Just get a ASI6200MM Pro. Ez 🤣
It's a shame most of the parts are unique to their scope, the industry needs more standardization to help make some things easier to build, modify and afford.
That would be pretty nice. Common products definitely have their advantages.
@@SarahMathsAstro i just started astro and i come from other areas where everything has standard interfaces/mounts so its been weird. I built my own refractor and had some sticking points because all the available focusers are telescope or series specific with outlandish mounting requirements rather than a industry standard flange for the size of tube.
5:48 😋
:D
Who even uses cassette players these days???😮
Not very many people 😅
@@SarahMathsAstro why am I not surprised you have (had) one :))) Did you whack the poor thing with a hammer 🔨? I do love your eccentric sense of humour Ms "M". Anyway (s) Great video btw, it must have taken you a lot of editing. I think they should have made the 60mm a 50mm so that you could effectively get a Redcat51 or a GT81 - both brill scopes. We've actually got some clear skies over the South Coast of England, at long last as Summers (and last Winter) have been a bust 😔😔
Dots on sky :/
Are you referring to the large, darkish circles on some of the test images?
Outstanding review. Joined your Patreon. Would love to know what equipment you would buy today if money was no object as well as a budget-conscious setup.
Thank you so much for the kind words and thank you for supporting the channel and becoming a Patron! You rock!
If money was no object? Oh man. Probably a Takahashi refractor with a Software Bisque telescope mount. With an observatory enclosure, of course :D tbd on the camera situation.
And as far as a budget-conscious setup… I would go for a star tracker with a sturdy tripod, a 135 telephoto lens, and an inexpensive DSLR or mirrorless camera. And a dual narrowband filter :) but that would just be for DSO imaging. For planetary/lunar on a budget, I would probably go with a Dobsonian or a Newtonian telescope and a DSLR or a small planetary camera. Honestly, so many options!
What about you?
@@SarahMathsAstro No clue. It's because of finding your channel that I'm even considering anything better than a noob telescope with an iPhone attachment. After seeing some of your videos and images, I'm thinking I might be able to get some good closeups of the lunar surface, nebulae, planets and galaxies with a serious investment. I'm truly unqualified to answer the question at this point. I like how you explain hardware and software and how to detect shortcomings in imaging. It's very helpful information. I'm learning a lot here.