After two months of research into refractors, this was the video where I finally decided on Asker 103 APO, more specifically, it was when you pointed out that the imperfection with the 0.6 reducer can easily be corrected with BlurXTerminator. "Would you pay more for a scope that makes round stars, when, after using BlurXTerminator, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference?" The answer can (and probably will) be debated, but it made all the difference for me. I had almost decided on the 107 PHQ, because of it's exceptional optic performance, it was just too expensive. I'm now completely comfortable with choosing the 103 APO as my first refractor, after over a decade with SCT. Unfortunately, my new 103 APO is stuck in New Zealand customs, but I hope to get it some time this year 🙂 ...and let me thank you for one of the best astrophotography channels around! I'm subscribed here and on your Patreon channel, and I'm in particular looking forward to follow your adventures with the 103 APO!
Nice interview and experience with the scope, but I had hoped for some more images. Especially a comparision of the 3 focal lenghts on the same target. I bought the scope two months ago with the 1.0 flattner being in backorder, showing a few weeks ago. I have used the scope with the full 700mm without a flattner on the sun to successfully image an ISS transfer in fromt of the sun that luckily happend directly in my backyard. For a scope of that price the build quality is really good. I'm still waiting to put it to the test at night.
Actually with 58mm backfocus my 0.6 reducer produces quite rounded stars up to the corners with a Micro 4/3 sensor (IMX492). Confirmed with NINA's aberration inspector
Thanks! With the 58mm you kind of confirm the experience of Sarah and me that the backfocus is off and it seems to be quite consistent. But also to note here that with a 4/3 sensor it is quite easy to achieve backfocus as the sensor does not go that far out.
I had to add additional adapters when I was playing with it and never went back and measured it because I knew it was more than 55mm. I measured it this week, 58mm is correct. But I absolutely love my Askar 103apo. Some people tried to talk me out of it when I bought it earlier this year. I am glad I did not listen to them.
Hi Sasha, interesting video. After watching it, last night I shot 10 minute subs using 120APO w/ reducer & ZWO AM5 mount. Result was good, little bit eggy in the corners though. Ran Blur Ext this morning and perfect stars. To be totally honest, I don’t know why everyone isn’t shooting 10 minute subs with tools like blur & noise XTerminator. Very little downside. Benefits are reduced disk space and faster processing. What do you think?
To be totally honest, I don’t know why anyone would shoot 10min subs.... As soon as you can collect photons of the faintest parts of the object you are fine. This is with 3-5min always the case... Disadvantages of 10min pics - guiding errors have a bigger effect, any issue like a plane flying through your pic, strong vibration/wind gust will destroy a full 10min of integration time instead of 3min or so.... With todays computing power the increase in subs to stack in neglectable..
What is your estimated probability that a full frame sensor would show stars near the edges that are also BXT fixable when using the 1.0 flattener or the 0.8 reducer?
99.9% - If they are completely round with the APS-C and we know to which extend BXT can deal with distorted stars, that should be easy-peasy for it....
The channel Astronotna has Askar 103 reviews and imaging videos. I use a C8 SCT. If I need to go wide I’ll probably just get a Hyperstar. I only shoot one target per night. Seven months without being able to image. That’s rough. My summer here in the US hasn’t been that clear.
But I dont understand, why would you change reducer in the middle of the night and shooting session? I my self prepare for shooting before night (choosing target, setting up equipment, etc). So it should not be problem to change reducer in some clean space.
Yesss... you are obviously right..... Still, when I disassembles now the scope in a room to build it back to 700mm, it wasn't a "good" experience. For my personal taste there is too much contamination opportunity and too much risk of anything falling down.... (yes, I'm clumsy....)
FWHM depends on a million factors, so it would be meaningless except you do a comparison with another scope under the same conditions... And when it comes to "budget glass" I really don't care as long as the result is good resp. the stars are round. I would be ok if they create the lenses out of beer bottles, if the result is as it is with this scope 😉
@@viewintospace the stars are round because Askar design the lens group to give large spot sizes, which helps to mask aberrations. Hence my comment regarding FWHM. Anyway, I should know better than to click on these 'puff pastry reviews', which lack any real depth. Enjoy your round large spots. Askar are very good at outreach to influencers, that much is true.
Look, if I want the stars smaller, I had BXT and a million other scrips which makes them smaller 😁 As Sarah said, if you have the funds for a Tak, go for it, I would not dispute a second that it makes betters stars (before BXT), but most of us do not have the funds for a Tak, and for its price, the Askar scopes do an amazing job. BTW - I have the reputation for being often too negative, so thanks for the puff pastry complement... 🤣
Based on various comments I can now confirm that the backfocus of the x0.6 reducer is exactly 58mm.
After two months of research into refractors, this was the video where I finally decided on Asker 103 APO, more specifically, it was when you pointed out that the imperfection with the 0.6 reducer can easily be corrected with BlurXTerminator.
"Would you pay more for a scope that makes round stars, when, after using BlurXTerminator, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference?"
The answer can (and probably will) be debated, but it made all the difference for me.
I had almost decided on the 107 PHQ, because of it's exceptional optic performance, it was just too expensive. I'm now completely comfortable with choosing the 103 APO as my first refractor, after over a decade with SCT.
Unfortunately, my new 103 APO is stuck in New Zealand customs, but I hope to get it some time this year 🙂
...and let me thank you for one of the best astrophotography channels around! I'm subscribed here and on your Patreon channel, and I'm in particular looking forward to follow your adventures with the 103 APO!
Thanks so much for your kind words!! Wish you fun and success with your 103APO!
I'm a simple man. I see a video with Sarah Mathhs, I watch.
Nice interview and experience with the scope, but I had hoped for some more images. Especially a comparision of the 3 focal lenghts on the same target. I bought the scope two months ago with the 1.0 flattner being in backorder, showing a few weeks ago. I have used the scope with the full 700mm without a flattner on the sun to successfully image an ISS transfer in fromt of the sun that luckily happend directly in my backyard. For a scope of that price the build quality is really good. I'm still waiting to put it to the test at night.
Yes, I would have also liked to do more images.... MUCH more images... but then.... 🌨️ 🌨️ 🌨️ 🌨️
Actually with 58mm backfocus my 0.6 reducer produces quite rounded stars up to the corners with a Micro 4/3 sensor (IMX492). Confirmed with NINA's aberration inspector
Thanks! With the 58mm you kind of confirm the experience of Sarah and me that the backfocus is off and it seems to be quite consistent. But also to note here that with a 4/3 sensor it is quite easy to achieve backfocus as the sensor does not go that far out.
I had to add additional adapters when I was playing with it and never went back and measured it because I knew it was more than 55mm. I measured it this week, 58mm is correct. But I absolutely love my Askar 103apo. Some people tried to talk me out of it when I bought it earlier this year. I am glad I did not listen to them.
Hi Sasha, interesting video. After watching it, last night I shot 10 minute subs using 120APO w/ reducer & ZWO AM5 mount. Result was good, little bit eggy in the corners though. Ran Blur Ext this morning and perfect stars. To be totally honest, I don’t know why everyone isn’t shooting 10 minute subs with tools like blur & noise XTerminator. Very little downside. Benefits are reduced disk space and faster processing. What do you think?
To be totally honest, I don’t know why anyone would shoot 10min subs.... As soon as you can collect photons of the faintest parts of the object you are fine. This is with 3-5min always the case... Disadvantages of 10min pics - guiding errors have a bigger effect, any issue like a plane flying through your pic, strong vibration/wind gust will destroy a full 10min of integration time instead of 3min or so.... With todays computing power the increase in subs to stack in neglectable..
What is your estimated probability that a full frame sensor would show stars near the edges that are also BXT fixable when using the 1.0 flattener or the 0.8 reducer?
99.9% - If they are completely round with the APS-C and we know to which extend BXT can deal with distorted stars, that should be easy-peasy for it....
The channel Astronotna has Askar 103 reviews and imaging videos. I use a C8 SCT. If I need to go wide I’ll probably just get a Hyperstar. I only shoot one target per night. Seven months without being able to image. That’s rough. My summer here in the US hasn’t been that clear.
But I dont understand, why would you change reducer in the middle of the night and shooting session? I my self prepare for shooting before night (choosing target, setting up equipment, etc). So it should not be problem to change reducer in some clean space.
Yesss... you are obviously right..... Still, when I disassembles now the scope in a room to build it back to 700mm, it wasn't a "good" experience. For my personal taste there is too much contamination opportunity and too much risk of anything falling down.... (yes, I'm clumsy....)
Well if that is the case I undersuand :)
FWHM? Askar: Great Marketing, good machining, budget glass and correction
FWHM depends on a million factors, so it would be meaningless except you do a comparison with another scope under the same conditions... And when it comes to "budget glass" I really don't care as long as the result is good resp. the stars are round. I would be ok if they create the lenses out of beer bottles, if the result is as it is with this scope 😉
@@viewintospace the stars are round because Askar design the lens group to give large spot sizes, which helps to mask aberrations. Hence my comment regarding FWHM. Anyway, I should know better than to click on these 'puff pastry reviews', which lack any real depth. Enjoy your round large spots. Askar are very good at outreach to influencers, that much is true.
Look, if I want the stars smaller, I had BXT and a million other scrips which makes them smaller 😁 As Sarah said, if you have the funds for a Tak, go for it, I would not dispute a second that it makes betters stars (before BXT), but most of us do not have the funds for a Tak, and for its price, the Askar scopes do an amazing job. BTW - I have the reputation for being often too negative, so thanks for the puff pastry complement... 🤣
Erster!!!! I have it - I love it!!! 🎉