Askar 103 APO Telescope Review | Budget Refractor for Astrophotography 

That's great news.

I'm so glad that this video was helpful! Thanks so much for your positive feedback and kind words :)

That's very kind of you! Thank you!! This community is amazing and I'm so grateful.

Hey Mike! Congrats on your new scope and the accessories! I'm really excited for you! Can't wait to hear how things are going with them. Thanks always for your support and positive feedback. It means so much!!

@@SarahMathsAstro You are Welcome!! Thank You again for all your awesome video's and great info!! I am excited too! I will keep you posted on everything! Have a great Day!!

So happy to hear that!

Thanks for your input/ insight on this. I wasn't using a filter for these tests but perhaps it was the internal lock rings' notches skewing the light path that you mentioned. More to look into. Thanks again.

Aww thanks!! I have a new one coming this weekend :D

Congrats on starting your journey! That's really exciting. I'm glad this video was helpful - that's great feedback to hear. You never know what levels people are coming at with videos so thanks so much. Cheers!

@@SarahMathsAstro you are welcome! I agree, it is hard to know what the audience wants and it is also hard to find a balance between people like me (that don't know anything) and experts. You are doing great and I wish you would have more videos :) Thanks you!

Thank you! I've been a big fan of your channel for some time now. Your videos are excellent and I love your backyard. Thanks for stopping by!

Thank you! Those are all great scopes. I can see the challenge. I forever have a soft spot in my heart for any WO FLT but it's also hard to beat the price point of the 103 and 120 apertures. Hoping that you are able to arrive at the best decision for you soon. Thanks again for stopping by. Cheers!

Thank you, kind sir!

Thank you for your feedback, that's very helpful and much appreciated. I went ahead and made a comparison video to show what the .6x Reducer + 103 APO's chromatic aberration and elongated stars looks like before and after using BlurXTerminator in the video linked below. Video: drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1y0GBSYrOjrRn9HkqsZwoRwmUt8Wn4YJF (if it's blurry, it just may need a few moments to buffer) The first image is of the single, 45 second exposure (raw, only debayered), and the second image is of 5 stacked 45 second exposures (debayered + image integration) to see how the chromatic aberration becomes more apparent in a stacked image/ more light collection and then to see how BlurXTerminator version AI 4 corrects for that along with the elongated stars. For the pinched optics/ issue with the larger star and triangle-like diffraction spike, the more integration time, the more apparent it will be in your final stacked image from my experience. Particularly when there are a lot of large, bright stars in the frame and when you're using a scope with a long focal length/ are very zoomed in. I hope this helps, and thanks again for your input! Sarah

Doubly thanks, Friend!! Very much appreciated :D

It’s a great little (semi-big) scope. Thanks for stopping by!

Thank you, Sascha!

Thank you for your kind words and thank you for taking the time to watch! I haven't had issues since so we will see come colder evenings again. More in-depth reviews are coming, too. If you have any requests, please let me know and I'll see if I can get that specific product to review. Thanks again and cheers!

Thank you, Anthony.

This is excellent news. Cheers, friend!

Thanks for your insight here. It's much appreciated. Cheers!

Yes. I think if it actually had pinched optics there would be other indications. There wold be indications in other parts of the aberration analysis.

Thanks, Keith!!

Sounds like you have a great scope on your hands! Thanks so much for subscribing, too. It means a lot! Cheers!

@@SarahMathsAstro You're welcome Sara. It is a fantastic mirror. John from Galaxy optics made the mirror. I am lucky to have super dark skies 20 min from my house.

Thank you! And thank you for your feedback - that was very helpful! I’ll be sure to keep that nugget of info now. Cheers!

Yep. Correct. The vidicon tubes were 1 inch in diameter, ie., that was the outside diameter of the glass tube. The actual imaging region was 16 mm across the diagonal. It's confusing for people just looking at the sensor size and not knowing the history.

Thanks! And that's awesome news about the telescope and the reducer. Wishing you many clear evenings.

Excellent work, Rainer! Thank you!!

Thanks so much for the support! It's much appreciated :)

Anytime...!!!@@SarahMathsAstro

Thank you, Dennis. Yeah, for the price, they're hard to beat. I've been rather impressed.

Thank you for taking the time to come by! Your cat sounds like a very handsome fellow. Wishing you both all the best!

Hey, a lot of millionaires/ billionaires keep their money tied up in non-liquid funds so their bank accounts are sometimes 0. Thanks for the kind words, friend and hope you’re doing well!

Thank you for your kind words. Cheers :)

It’s definitely worth looking into :)

Thank you!! :)

Agreed 🎉❤

Thanks, Jan!!

Thanks so much, Paul!

So I’m really looking at a budget refractor and trying to make this work before I go with the purchase. The .6 reducers corner elongated stars might be a back focus issue that can either be solved with an Askar back focus adjuster or adding shims. At post BlurX AI 4 might fix it as well. But i do get where you are going reviewing in an unbiased raw form of the scope and short captures to assess the quality.

Thanks for your feedback!

Thank you, and thanks for checking it out. Hope all is well.

Hi Gihan, thank you for the kind words. That mount would be a nice choice for this 103APO. I have not reviewed the Explore Scientific 102mm though. Cheers

Thank you for stopping by.

You're very welcome. I just uploaded a video to Google Drive to show the comparison of what the chromatic aberration looks like before and after with the 103 APO + 0.6x reducer using BlurXTerminator version AI 4. The first image is of the single, 45 second exposure (debayered) of Mirfak before and after - which shows great results with BlurX and then the second image is of a stacked image that contains 5, 45 second exposures of Mirfak (debayered) before and after with BlurX. Both times BlurX cleaned up the CA well and the elongated stars I had due to improper back focus. Video here: drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1y0GBSYrOjrRn9HkqsZwoRwmUt8Wn4YJF (if it's blurry, it may just need a moment or two to finish buffering) Thanks!

Thank you indeed. Nice illustration. It also show though Blur is a great tool, it does not fix everything :-) @@SarahMathsAstro

Hi since your review several people managed to people managed to improve the image quality by adjusting the back focus. Did you also try that ?

Thank you for your really kind comments, they mean a lot. I've learned much from other members of this amazing community. I'm just grateful to be able to share and give back. Thank you also for supporting me over on Patreon, that's incredibly generous of you and goes a long way. Thanks again and cheers!!

@@SarahMathsAstro you’re most welcome!

Thanks and thanks for taking the time to check it out and provide feedback!

Thank you, Abdur! Very excited to check out your newest review!

Thank you! Clear skies to you, too :)

Thank you! And I'm sure those results are fantastic!

Yes with both subjects add a Powermate too..regards Les

Thanks, Joe! That's great news that you're enjoying the scope. Always nice to have a bit more reach for galaxy season, that's for sure. Hope you've been well!

Thank you! I agree with you on all of the above. I’ll have to try and include more field of view samples/image tests for framing. Thanks for your input!

Definitely. I hope one day to have a OSC APS-C or full-frame with small pixels. Nico Carver from Nebula Photos was able to test this scope with a full-frame camera with small pixels in this video here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-G1zM-lz7Fx4.html

This is excellent to hear! Very happy to hear that you've had such positive results with the scope and the reducers.

Thank you so much, Alan!

I think you’re right about this.

Are we taking about aperture vignetting? It could be

So many, indeed! That’s a great idea, too. Such different focal lengths. Cheers!

@@SarahMathsAstro I have a 8" SCT but it is old and needs more work done on it. So trying to get something in between the 360mm WO and the 2000mm Meade. Thanks for the videos

Thanks for taking the time to check out the videos and provide feedback. I haven't had any issues with the Vixen dovetail, but if I had more accessories added, I might consider getting a Losmandy. I believe Askar has one that can be purchased for it.

Nico Carver uses a FF OSC camera with small pixels to test this scope here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-G1zM-lz7Fx4.htmlsi=KJ3-2W-qJLucmht3 Cheers!

I've used both the ZWO AM5 and the EQ6-R Pro mounts with this scope and accessories along with heavier imaging trains (ASI2600MM Pro + filter wheel). Both did just fine.

Larry, I'd imagine that this would do pretty well for daylight photography (not solar of course since you'd need lots more gear for that). But yeah, with the 55mm threads on the back of the flattener, .8x reducer, and .6x reducer, you may be able to get your camera attached.

I think so :)

You are very kind! Thank you :)

Thank you@@SarahMathsAstro! By the way, I have a question : Is there any change in the total number of light wavelengths for an off star when observing them ? Sorry ! I use English, using google translate !

Interesting approach!

​@@SarahMathsAstro yeah , more noise more science .

Thank you for your input on this! I'm still not sure what exactly this is. I think it may have been some sort of internal shavings in the way or something. Looking more into now that I'm back from eclipse travels. Regarding your question, I don't have direct experience with the 94EDPH, but have heard nice things about it. I think if you're looking for a bit more reach and resolution, with some flexibility in terms of focal length/ ratios with the optional accessories, this would be a good option. It's fairly lightweight still, too.

I sure hope so, ha! Thanks and congrats on the 72mm. I hope you've been enjoying it :)

It's in the works :)

Thank you! Yes, you can connect a DSLR to the 48mm rear adapter. You'll need a t-adapter for your specific camera that can accommodate M48 x 0.75 threads (the base of the rear adapter of one of the accessories - either the 1x flattener, the 0.8x reducer, or the 0.6x reducer). Here's one that will likely work: amzn.to/3wNrF00 You are correct about the phrase "imaging train" as well. We use that a lot in astrophotography. It's very interesting to hear what other phrases are used in different contexts. Thanks!

@@SarahMathsAstro Thank you so much! ☺

Gracias por pasar :)

This is a sensor/ camera group I’ve been looking more into. I’d like to test it for myself to give a better opinion.

I will take that into consideration for future reviews. Thanks for this!

Congrats! Have you had a chance to use it yet?

Apologies for not explaining further. Pinched optics is a type of distortion that is usually due to the objective lens of a refractor being secured too tightly with screws. When the objective lens are secured too tightly, they can cause these weird defraction looking spikes through large, bright stars. I wasn't 100% sure of what it was though since it can be challenging to really nail down a cause of something like this. But it can be corrected for by loosening the screws which I am going to try once I get some tools.

@@SarahMathsAstro Thanks for the explanation :) I hope you will do a video on it.

Hi Rainer, thank you. Yes, I can confirm that the back focus is 58mm from my testing for the 0.6x reducer configuration. Cheers, Sarah

@@SarahMathsAstro Thank. Interesting that ASKAR is still announcing 55mm. Again, thanks a lot. I like ther 420mm FOV with an APS-C chip after checking what it covers. regards Rainer

@@SarahMathsAstro Hi Sarah, Sorry to undig this matter again. I recevied my 0.6X reducer/flattener and indeed the backfocus is around 58mm but I am still fidlling to find out the exact point. Yesterday when I did my first adjustment it was cloudy and I was able to get close. At the moment it is 57.95mm. I have the ASKAR Backfocus adjuster and I think I am still a bit too far. I still see triangle shaéd stars in the 4 corners. U have an APS-C schip = Poseidon-M camera. Do you have an exact measurement? Thanks Rainer

Hi Rainer, 58mm is about the extent that I found was needed. I could try to get very, very precise but would need another clear night to test. Apologies!

@@SarahMathsAstro No problem, Iwill continue testing this today regards

What size relative to the OTA do you think is best for a dovetail?

@@SarahMathsAstro The much smaller Redcat 51 or Williams Optics smaller Refractors. Larger OTAs should not have those dovetails anymore. I never use them.

Thanks for taking the time to watch. I've been interested in trying out the PHQ series as I've heard/ seen promising results from them. As for a mount, I used the AM5 and the Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro mounts for this scope and the rest of the imaging train.

I wouldn't necessarily say it's closed off (in terms of the glass internally not being exposed when detaching the backend). That is something to consider, no doubt. I think if you're not changing it out constantly, that certainly helps. I felt like I got more dust with the Askar V and changing everything out while testing because I was going through/ swapping so many different pieces of glass (the two objectives/ the different optical accessories), taking them on and off, etc. But with the 103 and the back end, I didn't have much of an issue with dust, or at least it didn't appear to be an issue. If anything, I would tilt the tube down and use a blower and let the dust fall out if there appeared to be any. Great questions and valid concern. Thanks!

Yes, very nicely.

@@SarahMathsAstro Thanks so much!

@stevenjones6748 you’re very welcome!

I still have the HD11. The HD11 is mostly for lunar and planetary, or at least for me it is. and the Askar 103, along with my other refractors, are usually for deep space objects like nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters.

Wow! Yes! I love Squarepusher as does my husband.

Hey there! You could go with either or. I know many visual astronomers who love their schmidt cassegrains (SCTs - I never get the spelling right with this one, lol), Dobsonians, and refractors. I think if you're looking for something with a lot of visual prowess in terms of resolution and light collection, and don't mind having to collimate mirrors and have a place to store it, then Dobsonians/ Newtonians are pretty phenomenal for visual as are SCTs. Refractors are too, don't get me wrong. They're incredible. They're just very expensive for the same amount of focal length, etc. Refractors are great though for their optical quality and the fact that they require less upkeep to use them, in terms of not needing constant collimation (if ever after the first time from the factory), like Dobsonians/ Newtonian, and SCTs do. I don't know if that helped at all, but hopefully.

@@SarahMathsAstro Thanks so much for your input Sarah. I really appreciate it. I think back to the days I had that old Meade refractor and I couldn't see barely any color in Saturn or Jupiter looking with the naked eye. Watched a video late last night where someone did comparison between $1K and $10K refractor and the difference was unreal. Am I correct in assuming with mono camera you can get higher resolution and the filters make it so you basically sample singe frequency (or group of frequencies) to build a kind of artificial color image by giving each sample the equivalent of (RGB)? Although I think you call it something else by what you were saying in one of your other videos, and what little I've read up on it. And that you can get more detail with mono vs full color camera? (but I'm assuming you need to take more pictures to assemble final image). Sorry for all the questions. If I ask more I should probably send you some $ for your time....LOL. BTW, I was recently drooling at a 14" SCT Meade but I've got a ton more research to do before I'll move forward with anything. Like trying to see differences in Equitorial vs Fork mounts. Even started thinking about how in hell I'd unload that 14" if I could manage to swing it.... the tube alone weights 120 lbs....LOL. Hope you're having a nice evening and thank you again for your time.

Great question and apologies for not touching on what it is. Pinched optics basically refers to the optics of the scope (glass or mirror) being distorted in some way. It can be caused by thermal expansion or contraction in a short amount of time for the optics (e.g. a quick temperature shift like going from warm to very cold). Sometimes retainer rings can be the culprit as well as other things that cause stress to the mirrors or glass lenses. The former reason is a little easier to test for but requires patience in terms of temperature changes and seeing how that changes anything. The latter can be challenging at times to diagnose and sometimes you end up taking a lot apart. I haven't had the issue with the 103 since that video and even in my earlier tests with it so it appears to have been resolved for now at least.

I just looked it up and it would be visible in the very early morning from the US. May be hard to see with the Sun rising earlier. Check out theskylive.com/comets

The Askar V has an extender, along with a reducer/ flattener and a flattener and two different objective lenses that you can use with all three optical accessories. Oftentimes extenders can degrade image quality considerably. At least that’s what I’ve seen when it comes to them with cameras (teleconverters, specifically). But if well made, they can be great still.

@@SarahMathsAstro Wow!!! Thanks for pointing that out! The Askar V is GORGEOUS! If they had an optional 100mm and/or 120mm objective for that I would be very tempted to spend too much money on that! I think the 103 APO is already over my current budget, but I may have to just go with it anyway! I just wish the 103APO had the very classy silver accents, not a huge fan of the orange aluminum, silly, but I care too much about design aesthetics! Anyways, maybe while I wait and save money for my next refractor, maybe Askar will make larger aperture options for the, or like the current Askar V?? Oh, and yes, in my experience teleconverters for camera lenses are a compromise, but generally the lower extension work well, but higher extensions like 2.0x can degrade enough that it's not much better than cropping on the image file. But camera lenses are already very complex with a ton of optical elements. Given the more simple, highly optimized for sky distance subjects telescope options, I would hope extenders designed for a scope would perform well. Maybe for AP people just use smaller cameras? For visual people just use barlows? It's disappointing it seems the flatteners, reducers, extenders seem made for camera use only and you can't use them for visual observing? I don't understand why exactly, just mechanically you can't put eyepieces or diagonals on the end?

Thank you and thanks for your feedback/ idea too!

Self taught

What's the possibility of you acquiring an Orion 8 inch classical to do planetary photography, Most of your equipment is slightly high-end. Has anybody ever asked you about problems and how to resolve the Problem of Newtonian Telescope 8 inch, I know you have sponsors and impromotors on your it's not possible to answer the question thank you for listening. James

Most of my experience is with refractors and SCTs. I would post a question in the forums of CloudyNights.com though - someone with your specific telescope may be able to help out better.

Ok

Oh hiiiiiii :)

Yeah, still trying to diagnose if it was for sure pinched optics or maybe a bolt or something in the OTA somewhere sticking out. This is a pre-production version so maybe that has something to do with that. I think a lot of the other scopes that are reviewed, at least on YT are also pre-production units.

Take off the dew shield from the OTA and twist the front end lens just a slight bit

Askar are pretty decent. But the 0.6x is the culprit, and the dark wedge iron cross is a result of this degree of reduction. All their scopes are in fairness very good at native focal length.

I am wanting to know visual performance. The Moon views and Solar with white light Lunt wedge. Also planet viewing.

@kellytaylor3915 I’ve read positive things about it for visual of those subjects.

Yeah i hate it when people in this hobby say things are "budget" and they are over $1k. Newtonians for life!

@@Sogstronomy dont need to track for hours when you can just brute force it with a giant aperture.

I definitely see your point here.

Budget is always relative.

​@@drithenCalling a 1k scope "budget" is laughable,

For a refractory, pinched optics could be caused by retainer rings for example. Colder temperatures make them more pronounced. I'm still not sure if this is pinched optics though.

So the retainer ring is actually so tight that it's differetially compressing the lens glass??@@SarahMathsAstro

Can never forget to accessorize

@@SarahMathsAstro my sw gti has green anodised accents so ill only be buying green telescopes, etc in future, as red and green can never be seen ;)

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Keep complaining, if you want a scope for observing you'll either get a reflector or a dobson. Theses scopes are made with astrophotography in mind.

Sorry bout your frustration :/ I think it's just the case of, to each their own. You probably know of Ed Ting already, but if you haven't I hope you'll check him out. He has some excellent visual astronomy videos here on RU-vid.

@@SarahMathsAstro No problem. I am a visual observer, never been bitten by the astrophotography bug. But I guess this is what most hobbyists are into nowadays. Yes, I know of Ed Ting. Super nice guy with great content.