Askar FRA400 f/5.6 Quintuplet APO Astrograph review

[Lee_P]

I recently bought an Askar FRA400 f/5.6 Quintuplet APO Astrograph. I couldn’t find much info about it in advance – the best was a thread on Cloudy Nights – so thought it might be useful to other folks to jot down some of my feedback. I’m happy to answer any specific questions or clarify any points written in this review.

 

One-line review
This is a great telescope that’s fun and easy to use, but with a few issues potential buyers should be aware of.

 

Background
I got into astroimaging a few years ago, using a Sky-Watcher Evostar 80ED DS-Pro and ASI1600 mono camera plus filters. I enjoyed it, but the arrival of a new baby took a lot of my time (and energy!) so I sold everything with the intention of coming back to the hobby a little later. Barely a year on and I was missing astroimaging a lot, so decided to get back into it, but this time trying to create a simpler set up that would get me imaging on a clear night with the minimum of hassle.

I bought a William Optics Zenithstar 73 II APO 2019 with reducer / flattener, but had terrible issues with streaky corner stars due to backfocus problems. I tried a few things with the help of FLO (great customer support, of course) but in the end returned the telescope as it looked like I’d gotten a duff one. Luckily, at this time FLO started stocking Askar FRA400 f/5.6 Quintuplet APO Astrographs. Its Petzval design promised to be free of backfocus issues (assuming no reducer), which given recent experiences was music to my ears. I decided to go for it, and pushed the button.

I’d be coupling it with a ZWO ASI 2600MC-PRO USB 3.0 Cooled Colour Camera. I went OSC to keep things simple. However, I live in Bristol city centre – Bortle 8 light pollution – so added an Optolong L-eXtreme to my basket so I could still do narrowband imaging.

I decided to forego the optional Askar f/3.9 Full Frame Reducer for FRA400/5.6. This was for four reasons. 1) The L-eXtreme isn’t as effective with very fast systems; 2) 400mm is good to frame the targets I’m most interested in; 3); with the reducer I’d need to get the backfocus spot-on, and I’d had enough of that with the WO ZS73; 4) I’d save £269!

 

My kit
Askar FRA400 f/5.6 Quintuplet APO Astrograph
ZWO ASI 2600MC-PRO USB 3.0 Cooled Colour Camera
William Optics 32mm Slide-base Uniguide Scope
ZWO ASI 120MM Mini USB 2.0 Mono Camera
ZWO EAF - Electronic Automatic Focusmotor
ZWO ASiair Pro Wireless Astrophotography Controller
Optolong Dual-Band L-eXtreme Filter (2”)
ZWO 2″ Filter Drawer with M48 / M42 Connections
Primaluce Lab 30mm PLUS Spacers
William Optics DSD 245 Plate
Dew heater straps
Orion Sirius EQ-G mount

 

Image quality
Not being a pixel peeper, I’m not qualified to write a detailed analysis of image quality here, but I will post a single sub so people can make up their own minds. I can say though that I’m very happy with the views – both through the eyepiece and via the camera. There are some aberrations (fringing maybe?) around stars at the edges of the frame -- zoomed examples included below. 

 

Issues and solutions
Build quality on the whole is good, a different league to the 80ED, but not quite up there with the WO ZS73. The dew shield is a little loose, and on the cusp of sliding down under its own weight when the telescope is pointing straight up. I solved this by putting a white elastic band on the main tube, just behind the dew shield – a DIY fix but works just fine. The lens cap also feels a bit loose, but hasn’t fallen off. The default focusser is ok, but doesn’t quite have the premium feel of the WO ZS73. I upgraded with a ZWO EAF, which was very easy to install, and works perfectly. I'd consider this a must if you're astroimaging.

The supplied dovetail is quite short, and makes it difficult to achieve balance if using a heavy camera. I solved this with Primaluce Lab 30mm PLUS Spacers and a William Optics DSD 245 Plate. This allows for good balance, plus there’s room for an ASIAIR PRO to be attached at the back.

All my accessories are attached to the left-side of the telescope, making it slightly off-balance. However, there are enough holes in the spacers and tube rings to allow for the dovetail to actually be attached slightly off-centre to the telescope, allowing for it to all be well balanced. You can buy a Finder Plate to open up more options.

The telescope comes with a conical M68 to M48 adapter. Askar say this is threaded for 48mm filters – ideal for my L-eXtreme, or so I thought. I couldn’t really see where there was a thread in the adapter. I e-mailed Askar customer support, and got a reply two days later saying that the thread is inside the adapter. Fair enough, there is a thread in there, but no way of actually getting a filter inside and screwing it tight. It’s really odd. I e-mailed Askar again to ask for clarification, but this time didn’t get a reply. So, I don’t rate their customer service. From more research online, it looks as if some of the adapters come in two parts that screw together, presumably to give access to the thread. In the end I bought a ZWO 2″ Filter Drawer with M48 / M42 Connections. This fixed the issue, and is very convenient, but is an extra cost that should be considered.

The ASKAR FRA400 doesn’t come with a carry case, which is a bit of a shame.

 

Summary
I’m really happy with my ASKAR FRA400, and think it’ll serve me well for years to come. Once the initial issues were overcome, I’ve been finding it a lot of fun. It’s compact and light -- I can carry the OTA with all attached accessories in one hand. It pairs well with the ASI2600 and L-eXtreme. The ASIAIR PRO controls everything very neatly as well. If I see a gap in the clouds, I can set everything up (tripod and mount in the garden, attach telescope, polar align, autofocus, start imaging) in 20 – 25 minutes. I’m looking into a DIY pier in the garden, which should reduce this to 5 – 10 minutes.

 

Images

Single FITS sub, straight from the camera (with L-eXtreme):

Light_IC1805_300s_Bin1_gain100_20201224-224655_-9.7C_0039.fit

 

Single 300s sub with L-eXtreme, debayered, stretched, and resized to 50%:

 

Random star from the centre of the frame:

 

And the edge of the frame:

 

8.5 hours of integration time. One of my very first attempts at processing with PixInsight, so definitely not the limit of what the telescope can do, but more an indication of what a beginner can achieve in Bortle 8 skies:

 

Views of the Askar FRA400 in my garden:

Edited January 8, 2021 by Lee_P

[simmo39]

Thanks for the review, You have answered most of my questions about this scope. As Columbo would say, just one more thing. The plastic  ( well I think its plastic ) cone spacer between the camera and scope is that sturdy enough or is it worth replacing it?

Simmo

[Lee_P]

1 minute ago, simmo39 said:

Thanks for the review, You have answered most of my questions about this scope. As Columbo would say, just one more thing. The plastic  ( well I think its plastic ) cone spacer between the camera and scope is that sturdy enough or is it worth replacing it?

Simmo

I love Columbo! The cone spacer is the M68 to M48 adapter. It's made of metal and is very sturdy. No need to replace it.

[vineyard]

That's an excellent review, and a lovely image as well!

[Space Oddities]

Great review and gorgeous heart, well done!

Your cable management is also very impressive 😋

[geeklee]

Great review.  Thanks for adding the detail on mechanics of the scope and equipment used to get around the various challenges.  

[scitmon]

Thank you for the review, they certainly are a tempting upgrade from the SW DS-Pro's.  I too am toying between mono/filters and colour/dual band filters.  Very informative.

[Lee_P]

On 11/01/2021 at 09:09, scitmon said:

Thank you for the review, they certainly are a tempting upgrade from the SW DS-Pro's.  I too am toying between mono/filters and colour/dual band filters.  Very informative.

It's a tough choice as the gap between mono and OSC has narrowed recently. Maybe that means that both are good options! All things being equal, mono would offer higher quality, but I went OSC and L-eXtreme for the convenience of a simpler imaging workflow and making the most of gaps in the UK's cloudy skies. I'd recommend thinking about how long you plan on using your new camera for before you'll likely want an upgrade -- for me, maybe five years or so. Then think about what option will best suit you over that specific timeframe. I may well go back to mono in the future, but for now OSC suits me best. Good luck with whatever you choose, and try not to get analysis paralysis!

[simmo39]

Finally raised the cash for this beast! looking fwd to getting one into action when flo get stock. 

[Lee_P]

Here's another photo with the Askar FRA400, ASI2600MC-Pro, and Optolong L-eXtreme. This is proving to be a great combination even from my light-polluted city centre.

 

 

* February 2021
* Bristol, UK (Bortle 8 )
* Telescope: Askar FRA400 f/5.6 Quintuplet APO Astrograph
* Camera: ZWO ASI 2600MC-PRO
* Filter: Optolong L-eXtreme
* Mount: Orion Sirius EQ-G
* Guide: William Optics 32mm; ZWO ASI 120MM Mini
* Software: PixInsight, Photoshop, Lightroom, Topaz DeNoise AI
* 450 x 12 seconds
------------------------------------------------------------
Total integration time: 15 hours

Edited March 4, 2021 by Lee_P

[Adam J]

On 12/01/2021 at 14:49, Lee_P said:

It's a tough choice as the gap between mono and OSC has narrowed recently. Maybe that means that both are good options! All things being equal, mono would offer higher quality, but I went OSC and L-eXtreme for the convenience of a simpler imaging workflow and making the most of gaps in the UK's cloudy skies. I'd recommend thinking about how long you plan on using your new camera for before you'll likely want an upgrade -- for me, maybe five years or so. Then think about what option will best suit you over that specific timeframe. I may well go back to mono in the future, but for now OSC suits me best. Good luck with whatever you choose, and try not to get analysis paralysis!

I would disagree with that statement, on a technical level the gap between mono and OSC is exactly the same as it always has been, my observation is that sensor technology as advanced to the point that you can get results with a OSC that could only have been acheived with mono in past years / sensor generations. However, the gap between an OSC ASI2600MC-Pro and the ASI2600MM-Pro is exactly the same as the gap in performance between a older KAF8600 mono and OSC, its just that the OSC KAF8600 was below the sensitivity threshold required for it to take top draw images in a reasonable intergration time. But thats not quite the same thing as the gap narrowing and given three hours of data with the mono 2600 vs three hours of data with a OSC 2600 the mono will still win perticually in narrow band imaging and despite the advent of filters like the L-Extream. 

I think this will become clearer as we see images start coming with the ASI2600MM pro in the next year.

I agree with your choice not to go with the reducer, I think that its a big ask with a APS-C sized chip and that life will be easier all in all with the more tame F-ratio.

Adam

Edited March 3, 2021 by Adam J

[Lee_P]

9 hours ago, Adam J said:

I would disagree with that statement, on a technical level the gap between mono and OSC is exactly the same as it always has been, my observation is that sensor technology as advanced to the point that you can get results with a OSC that could only have been acheived with mono in past years / sensor generations. However, the gap between an OSC ASI2600MC-Pro and the ASI2600MM-Pro is exactly the same as the gap in performance between a older KAF8600 mono and OSC, its just that the OSC KAF8600 was below the sensitivity threshold required for it to take top draw images in a reasonable intergration time. But thats not quite the same thing as the gap narrowing and given three hours of data with the mono 2600 vs three hours of data with a OSC 2600 the mono will still win perticually in narrow band imaging and despite the advent of filters like the L-Extream. 

I think this will become clearer as we see images start coming with the ASI2600MM pro in the next year.

I agree with your choice not to go with the reducer, I think that its a big ask with a APS-C sized chip and that life will be easier all in all with the more tame F-ratio.

Adam

I could have been clearer in my comment, but I was referring to the development of dual and tri-band filters. I image from a city. Back when I was using mono that was really the only sensible choice. But now OSC (plus filter) is a valid option -- it's what I'm using and am getting what I consider to be very satisfactory results. Hence, the gap between mono and OSC has narrowed recently, thanks to filters like the L-eXtreme.

Edited March 4, 2021 by Lee_P

[simmo39]

Well my scope has come! hopefully will give it a quick first loght tonight. I agree this is a nice scope, seems well made and looks good. Just hope that it performs ( Im sure it will ).

[Lee_P]

3 hours ago, simmo39 said:

Well my scope has come! hopefully will give it a quick first loght tonight. I agree this is a nice scope, seems well made and looks good. Just hope that it performs ( Im sure it will ).

Congrats, can't wait to see what you do with it 😃

[b36lbx]

Great review, thanks for sharing the info and the sample file. Can I please ask what settings did you go for in the Asiair Pro autofocus, I really struggle to find the best combo.

Many thanks

[Lee_P]

58 minutes ago, b36lbx said:

Great review, thanks for sharing the info and the sample file. Can I please ask what settings did you go for in the Asiair Pro autofocus, I really struggle to find the best combo.

Many thanks

Sure!

AF EXP: 2s for no filter / light pollution filter. 5s if I'm using the L-eXtreme.
Step Size: 30
Autorun settings: every 1H, before Autorun start, after Auto Meridian flipped.

For the more general settings...
Fine (Slow) Step: 10
Coarse (Fine) Step: 30
Max Step Limit: 60000
Backlash: 0

 

Is that all the info you're after?

[b36lbx]

2 hours ago, Lee_P said:

Sure!

AF EXP: 2s for no filter / light pollution filter. 5s if I'm using the L-eXtreme.
Step Size: 30
Autorun settings: every 1H, before Autorun start, after Auto Meridian flipped.

For the more general settings...
Fine (Slow) Step: 10
Coarse (Fine) Step: 30
Max Step Limit: 60000
Backlash: 0

 

Is that all the info you're after?

Perfect, thank you very much.

[Lee_P]

Just updating this thread with some more example photos...

 

* January 2021
* Bristol, UK (Bortle 8 )
* Telescope: Askar FRA400 f/5.6 Quintuplet APO Astrograph
* Camera: ZWO ASI 2600MC-PRO
* Filter: Optolong L-eXtreme
* Mount: Orion Sirius EQ-G
* Software: AutoStakkert!3, RegiStax 6, Lightroom, Photoshop
* ASIAIR PRO
* 500 frames

---

The Soul Nebula
* January 2021
* Bristol, UK (Bortle 8 )
* Telescope: Askar FRA400 f/5.6 Quintuplet APO Astrograph
* Camera: ZWO ASI 2600MC-PRO
* Filter: Optolong L-eXtreme
* Mount: Orion Sirius EQ-G
* Guide: William Optics 32mm; ZWO ASI 120MM Mini
* Software: PixInsight and Lightroom
* ASIAIR PRO
* 72 x 300 seconds
Total integration time: 6 hours

---

The Pacman Nebula
* Jan - Feb 2021
* Bristol, UK (Bortle 8 )
* Telescope: Askar FRA400 f/5.6 Quintuplet APO Astrograph
* Camera: ZWO ASI 2600MC-PRO
* Filter: Optolong L-eXtreme
* Mount: Orion Sirius EQ-G
* Guide: William Optics 32mm; ZWO ASI 120MM Mini
* Software: PixInsight and Lightroom
* ASIAIR PRO
* 90 x 300 seconds
Total integration time: 7 hours 30 minutes

---

The Orion Nebula
* February 2021
* Bristol, UK (Bortle 8 )
* Telescope: Askar FRA400 f/5.6 Quintuplet APO Astrograph
* Camera: ZWO ASI 2600MC-PRO
* Filter: Optolong L-eXtreme
* Mount: Orion Sirius EQ-G
* Guide: William Optics 32mm; ZWO ASI 120MM Mini
* Software: PixInsight and Lightroom
* ASIAIR PRO
* 89 x 300 seconds
Total integration time: 7 hours 25 minutes

---

The Pinwheel Galaxy and Friends
* March 2021
* Bristol, UK (Bortle 8 )
* Telescope: Askar FRA400 f/5.6 Quintuplet APO Astrograph
* Camera: ZWO ASI 2600MC-PRO
* Filter: IDAS D1 Light Pollution Suppression
* Mount: Orion Sirius EQ-G
* Guide: William Optics 32mm; ZWO ASI 120MM Mini
* Software: PixInsight, Photoshop, Lightroom
* ASIAIR PRO
* 600 x 120 seconds
Total integration time: 20 hours

---

Nova Cas 2021
* 20 March 2021
* Bristol, UK (Bortle 8 )
* Telescope: Askar FRA400 f/5.6 Quintuplet APO Astrograph
* Camera: ZWO ASI 2600MC-PRO
* Mount: Orion Sirius EQ-G
* Guide: William Optics 32mm; ZWO ASI 120MM Mini
* Software: PixInsight, Photoshop, Lightroom
* ASIAIR PRO
* 15 x 120 seconds
Total integration time: 30 minutes

---

M3
* March and April 2021
* Bristol, UK (Bortle 8 )
* Telescope: Askar FRA400 f/5.6 Quintuplet APO Astrograph
* Camera: ZWO ASI 2600MC-PRO
* Mount: Orion Sirius EQ-G
* Guide: William Optics 32mm; ZWO ASI 120MM Mini
* Software: PixInsight, Photoshop, Lightroom
* ASIAIR PRO
* 300 x 120 seconds
Total integration time: 10 hours

---

Vesta
* 29 March - 2 April 2021
* Bristol, UK (Bortle 8 )
* Telescope: Askar FRA400 f/5.6 Quintuplet APO Astrograph
* Camera: ZWO ASI 2600MC-PRO
* Mount: Orion Sirius EQ-G
* Guide: William Optics 32mm; ZWO ASI 120MM Mini
* Software: PixInsight, Photoshop, Lightroom, ezgif.com
* ASIAIR PRO

---

Markarian's Chain
* April 2021
* Bristol, UK (Bortle 8 )
* Telescope: Askar FRA400 f/5.6 Quintuplet APO Astrograph
* Camera: ZWO ASI 2600MC-PRO
* Mount: Orion Sirius EQ-G
* Guide: William Optics 32mm; ZWO ASI 120MM Mini
* Software: PixInsight, Photoshop, Lightroom
* ASIAIR PRO
* 300 x 120 seconds
Total integration time: 10 hours

---

The Iris Nebula
* April 2021
* Bristol, UK (Bortle 8 )
* Telescope: Askar FRA400 f/5.6 Quintuplet APO Astrograph
* Camera: ZWO ASI 2600MC-PRO
* Mount: Orion Sirius EQ-G
* Guide: William Optics 32mm; ZWO ASI 120MM Mini
* Software: PixInsight, Photoshop, Lightroom
* ASIAIR PRO
* 615 x 120 seconds
Total integration time: 20.5 hours

Edited April 18, 2021 by Lee_P

[Nikolas74]

I am really amazed from the results..... That looks even better than with my Redcat51 and same like yours equipment and bortle scale. 

[Lee_P]

7 hours ago, Nikolas74 said:

I am really amazed from the results..... That looks even better than with my Redcat51 and same like yours equipment and bortle scale. 

Thanks, I guess the FRA400's larger aperture helps. 

[simmo39]

Nice shots, I have only managed to get one target done so far and that was the whale and hocky stick ( see dso section ) Im hoping to get one more target before the season closes for me, think that may be M3. Just hope i can do it justice, your shot of M3 is brilliant.

[Lee_P]

I've been using the Askar FRA400 for nearly a year now, and have written an updated review here: https://urbanastrophotography.com/index.php/2021/11/03/review-askar-fra400-f-5-6-quintuplet-apo-astrograph/

(I still think it's great 👍)

[simmo39]

On 03/11/2021 at 14:47, Lee_P said:

I've been using the Askar FRA400 for nearly a year now, and have written an updated review here: https://urbanastrophotography.com/index.php/2021/11/03/review-askar-fra400-f-5-6-quintuplet-apo-astrograph/

(I still think it's great 👍)

Great review, I luv mine but due to injury haven't used it much as I should have. I have got the focal reducer but have not real had chance to test it. Will post a review when that happens.

[Lee_P]

4 hours ago, simmo39 said:

Great review, I luv mine but due to injury haven't used it much as I should have. I have got the focal reducer but have not real had chance to test it. Will post a review when that happens.

Yes please, I'd be interested to hear if it's good!

[raadoo]

On 18/11/2021 at 13:38, simmo39 said:

Great review, I luv mine but due to injury haven't used it much as I should have. I have got the focal reducer but have not real had chance to test it. Will post a review when that happens.

When you get a chance to test the reducer, compare star shapes with and without it. I'm getting severely bloated stars with the reducer on; it could still be something different (i.e. dew / frost) but it'd be worth hearing from others with the FRA400.