William Optics RedCat 51 APO

[FLO]

Meet the new William Optics RedCat 51 APO ? 

A compact 51mm f/4.9 Petzval (4-elements) refractor that includes FPL-53 and FPL-51 glass. 

William Optics claim a 44mm flat-field imaging circle (so covers a full-frame sensor). We cannot confirm that yet but we think if it covers the smaller APS-C then that alone will be impressive! 

It also has a nice integrated field rotator that includes a slot for 48mm filters. Oh, and that red anodising! ?

ETA end-Feb late-March. 

 

[Chris]

Any idea on price, Steve. This could be a marriage made in heaven for the SA mount!

[souls33k3r]

Wait, let me get my divorce papers ready.

[fozzybear]

likewise, where did I leave my spade (new patio planning)…...?

[FLO]

19 minutes ago, Lockie said:

Any idea on price, Steve. 

Not sure but we are estimating around £675 ? 

[Space Hopper]

It looks.......sexy. (sorry)

[knobby]

It's a glorified SLR camera lens ?

[Space Hopper]

 

[Chris]

19 minutes ago, knobby said:

It's a glorified SLR camera lens ?

Only some camera lenses are more expensive and don't have the colour correction and flat field, field rotator, or built in focus mask. 

Still I'm weighing this lens against some L-glass. I just think this is a probably going to be a better option for astro. 

[Davey-T]

Let's hope they can keep the QC up and it doesn't rapidly disappear like the Star71 Mk1.

I'll resist buying one until some other brave soul takes the plunge 

Dave

[FLO]

29 minutes ago, knobby said:

It's a glorified SLR camera lens ?

... designed and manufactured for astrophotography, from CNC machined aluminium, with a smooth calibrated helical focuser, a focus tension ring, a field rotator graduated by degree, a slot for 48mm filters and a reversible dovetail. The first one to arrive will be mine! ? 

Steve

[happy-kat]

Oooh that looks super nice but way out side my grubby hands I think I'd be in Coventry for a year!! Lol

 

[Davey-T]

Just now, happy-kat said:

Oooh that looks super nice but way out side my grubby hands I think I'd be in Coventry for a year!! Lol

 

Only a year ? go for it 

Dave

[DaveS]

56 minutes ago, Lockie said:

Only some camera lenses are more expensive and don't have the colour correction and flat field, field rotator, or built in focus mask. 

Still I'm weighing this lens against some L-glass. I just think this is a probably going to be a better option for astro. 

Only if "L" is for Leica. I think it will have to be going some to beat my 180 mm f/3.4 Leitz Apo-Telyt-R. Having said which, if I didn't already have that lens it would be on my hit-list.

[barkis]

Pure Eye Candy, and some. 
I think the name Desirie fits this beauty. Sorry fellas, I'm waxing a bit lyrical here, but I know now what I want for my Birthday,
which is near Xmas, but I'm a patient  person.

The saying, "The Best Things Come In Small Bundles" is apt too.

Ron. 

 

 

Edited February 6, 2019 by barkis

[haitch]

I never thought I'd be drooling over a nearly £700 scope the size of my finder.

[haitch]

1 hour ago, Davey-T said:

Only a year ? go for it 

Dave

The LP in Coventry is atrocious.

[RobertI]

What a lovely looking piece of kit, perfect for a lightweight mount, clever design fusion of APO scope and SLR lens. 

[tooth_dr]

That is beautiful.

[tooth_dr]

Loving the detail here, very smart.

 

[Space Hopper]

4 hours ago, FLO said:

... designed and manufactured for astrophotography, from CNC machined aluminium, with a smooth calibrated helical focuser, a focus tension ring, a field rotator graduated by degree, a slot for 48mm filters and a reversible dovetail. The first one to arrive will be mine! ? 

Steve

Can i have the second...?? ?

[Davey-T]

5 hours ago, FLO said:

Not sure but we are estimating around £675 ? 

At least it wont need another hundred odd pounds for the usual obligatory WO flattener 

Dave

[RobertI]

From the video, it looks like the dewshield reverses and becomes a slide on protector, very clever! 

[johnfosteruk]

I like it. 

[knobby]

Have to add, my 'glorified SLR lens' was meant tongue in cheek , it would look beautiful on my black and red star adventurer mini !

... Must resist