Interesting Takahashi from 1988: The FC-125

[John]

Browsing the web looking for interesting stuff on scopes, I came across a website for a Japanese seller of 2nd hand telescopes. They seemed to specialise in older / interesting instruments which included a very nice (in my opinion) Takahashi FC-125 which dates from 1988.

Optically it is an F/8 doublet using fluorite for the rear lens element. It has some very interesting features including a rather massive stock focuser.

I imagine that these are quite rare - I don't think I've seen one quite like this before 🙂

The first 3 links below are to photo galleries of the scope. The 4th link is to the site owners report on performance. Interesting comparison with a TOA 130 🙂

https://koji-matsumoto.com/FC-125-1.htm

 https://koji-matsumoto.com/FC-125-2.htm

https://koji-matsumoto.com/FC-125-3.html

https://koji-matsumoto.com/FC-125-4.htm

Maybe one day we will see a 125mm version of the current FC series ? 😋

Edited July 11, 2023 by John

[DirkSteele]

Wow, they don’t make them like they used too! That focuser is quite the beast.

 

Would love it if Tak introduced a new 125.

[The60mmKid]

Koji Matsumoto has an excellent reputation. He mainly sells fine specimens of rare Japanese scopes (and mounts). He has listed quite a few things that I've drooled over, and he has been friendly and helpful when I've contacted him.

I've owned a couple of the scopes that he has compared with others, and his assessments have differed from my own experiences. I'd be inclined to read the FC-125 vs. TOA-130 comments as a personal, interpretive analysis rather than an objective (as possible) one.

[Mr Spock]

Nice scope and a heck of a focuser! 11x70 finder too!

[JeremyS]

20 hours ago, John said:

Browsing the web looking for interesting stuff on scopes, I came across a website for a Japanese seller of 2nd hand telescopes. They seemed to specialise in older / interesting instruments which included a very nice (in my opinion) Takahashi FC-125 which dates from 1988.

Optically it is an F/8 doublet using fluorite for the rear lens element. It has some very interesting features including a rather massive stock focuser.

I imagine that these are quite rare - I don't think I've seen one quite like this before 🙂

The first 3 links below are to photo galleries of the scope. The 4th link is to the site owners report on performance. Interesting comparison with a TOA 130 🙂

https://koji-matsumoto.com/FC-125-1.htm

 https://koji-matsumoto.com/FC-125-2.htm

https://koji-matsumoto.com/FC-125-3.html

https://koji-matsumoto.com/FC-125-4.htm

Maybe one day we will see a 125mm version of the current FC series ? 😋

I’ve lost count of the number of evenings I’ve lost going down internet rabbit holes like this, John 🤣

[JeremyS]

Hmm not sure I like the old Tak colour scheme - I’ll give it a miss 🤣

[saac]

10 minutes ago, JeremyS said:

Hmm not sure I like the old Tak colour scheme - I’ll give it a miss 🤣

Who are you and what have you done with Jeremy? 😆

Jim