SVBONY SV503 102ED f7 - any experience?

[nfotis]

As I was looking idly at the SVBONY site (aren't we all? 🙂 ) ,  I noticed that the SV503 family got a new member:

https://www.svbony.com/sv503-102F7-ED-doublet-refractor/

To tell the truth, it looks interesting. The 80ED has  a good reputation, as far as I know.

 

N.F.

 

[vlaiv]

It is probably same as this (and number of other scopes branded differently):

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p4964_TS-Optics-ED-102-mm-f-7-Refractor-Telescope-with-2-5--R-P-focuser.html

It is FPL51 doublet, has some residual color (very small amount by all accounts) and is very good visual instrument. I know I would like one instead of regular 4" achromat - either short one at F/5 or long one at F/10 - it will give better image than both.

[nfotis]

Availability for both types seems a bit... iffy? I am wondering for such a refractor as a a visual and solar instrument mostly (for moon and planets, I have a Skymax and a C9.25 already)

I guess that's not ideal for photographers, I suppose?

It seems that for shooting with OSC you want at least a triplet lens.

For monochrome sensors, I understand that's not a big deal, since you can refocus on every colour separately?

N.F.

 

[vlaiv]

11 hours ago, nfotis said:

I am wondering for such a refractor as a a visual and solar instrument mostly

I think it would do a good job as 4" all around visual instrument. Maybe not the best at high power / planetary, but otherwise better than your average 4" achromat. If you want very good high power views as well - there is version with FPL-53 glass, but it costs about 80% more.

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p9868_TS-Optics-Doublet-SD-Apo-102-mm-f-7---FPL53---Lanthan-Objective.html

(again, availability is issue - all gear seems to be affected to some extent)

11 hours ago, nfotis said:

I guess that's not ideal for photographers, I suppose?

It seems that for shooting with OSC you want at least a triplet lens.

For monochrome sensors, I understand that's not a big deal, since you can refocus on every colour separately?

In my view, even version with FPL-53 is not really suited for OSC. You can use it with special filters like Astronomik L2-L3.

This one with FPL-51 can be used with mono. Narrowband will work great, but even LRGB will need to use L3 for luminance as regular full spectrum luminance will be a bit blurry because of level of CA.

In absence of other option - I'd happily use it as imaging scope with a few tricks (I've used Skywatcher ST102 with some trick to produce decent images - so this will be way better experience).

[nfotis]

Well, I succumbed on the temptation and ordered one via the SVBONY site, along with the 0.8 reducer/flattener, which promises to make it a quite good combination:

https://www.svbony.com/sv503-ed-telescope-sv193-focal-reducer-flattener/#F9359D-W9152D

As I don't have any DSO camera at the moment (only a planetary camera, and some dSLRs), I will be rather limited in my camera tests.

N.F.

 

[Skyline]

I have high hopes for svbony, their producing good gear for a fraction of the price.

I have seen that 102ED as well and it don't seem that bad either.

Edited November 15, 2021 by Skyline

[Mr Spock]

FLO are offering the 102mm f7 FPL-53 (Starfield) at a reasonable cost. I have to admit it's tempting.

[nfotis]

It's my understanding that the FLO version isn't exactly the same (2.5" R&P focuser, while the SVBONY seems to have a 2" focuser, different glass), hence its higher price.

Because I don't have any refractor scope (my Canon telephoto lenses are different beasts), I cannot make a very informed comparison.

N.F.

 

[Mr Spock]

Yes, the FLO version uses FPL-53 (and Lanthanum) instead of FPL-51, so better corrected for CA - but also costs a lot more. Though there's nothing wrong with the FPL-51 version - it should give very satisfying results.

[vlaiv]

Altair Astro has FPL-51 version and by the looks of it - it is more affordable than SVBONY model - at least for UK buyers

(not sure how VAT is handled - but AA version has no import duties and exVAT price is better than SVBONY):

https://www.altairastro.com/starwave-ascent-102ed-f7-refractor-telescope-geared-focuser-468-p.asp

Only unknown is availability.

 

[JBadger]

On 15/11/2021 at 22:22, vlaiv said:

Only unknown is availability.

 

They were out of stock last week when I emailed; I bought one from Harrisons instead https://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/altair-starwave-102f7.html#SID=1706

[Toltec]

Ordered one from Altair this morning. Slight mission creep, started looking at binoculars, then decided a cheap 100mm achro might be better and ended up with one of these...

[nfotis]

Received mine, direct from the SVBONY site, in a package deal with their 0.8x reducer/flattener.

Quite impressive-looking (and quite a bit larger than I expected, compared to a 400mm/5.6L lens).

Too cloudy/rainy, unfortunately. I may be able to test it tomorrow on some land targets.

N.F.

[nfotis]

The weather is still quite variable, so I shot some indoor photos of the scope.

My observations (this is my first ever refractor):

- quite a plain packaging outside, quite good plastic cradle inside (a corner had been cut in order to fit the flattener/reducer package inside)

- Surprisingly large, the photos don't do it justice (I included a DSLR camera with a 70-200/2.8 lens and a soft drink, to give a sense of scale)

- The dual speed focuser side had its own plastic cover, I suppose that it's installed in order to protect it while in transit.

- No manual/documentation included. As this is a OTA only package (no diagonal, finder or eyepieces included), you are expected to know which end of the tube goes in front 🙂

- Subjectively, it feels quite well built (a few dust bunnies on the front elements were blown away easily). The focuser includes also a rotator, so you can frame your target as you well please. A built in retractable shield should help with reflections and dew. The large ED glass element in front has a greenish cast.

If I manage to find some time tomorrow, I hope to shoot some land targets at least.

Cheers,

N.F.

[nfotis]

On 04/12/2021 at 19:48, Toltec said:

Ordered one from Altair this morning. Slight mission creep, started looking at binoculars, then decided a cheap 100mm achro might be better and ended up with one of these...

Don't worry, that happens all the time 

(I sympathize, it has happened to me as well)

N.F.

 

 

[nfotis]

This blog post gives you a list of possible ways to mount a guide scope to the 102ED 

https://www.svbony.com/blog/How-to-mount-SV106-to-SV503/

 

[Toltec]

2 hours ago, nfotis said:

Don't worry, that happens all the time 

(I sympathize, it has happened to me as well)

N.F.

 

 

Arrived today, my wife has taken it surprisingly well

The Altair version does not have the focusser rotator, otherwise is is very much the same, there is a serial number on the objective ring, mine is 0063. I had about an hour last night that was clear enough to do a bit of binocular viewing, but it looks like it is going to be cloudy for a week now.