TS-Optics 102 mm f/11 SD - Apochromat with 2.5" RAP focuser

TS-Optics 102 mm f/11 SDP APO Refractor

A refractor with a 2-element objective and a correction like a triplet apochromat, this is realized by the TS 102 mm f/11 SDP Apo. The objective consists of two special glasses, including FPL53 from Ohara (Japan). The apochromat not only holds good chromatic correction in the spectral range of 480-656 nm, but due to the relaxed focal ratio of f/11 and the additional special glass, the correction is still very good even in the violet and short wavelength blue light. This makes the apo a fine telescope for observation and photography, if you want to get the optimal performance out of 102 mm aperture.

Astrophotographic results obtained with this telescope on Astrobin

Here you can find some astrophotographs made with this telescope model: Link to Astrobin

Binocular observation:
If you remove the rear tube end piece, the working distance increases from 150 mm to 250 mm, with the draw tube retracted. This also allows you to combine binoviewers and a 2" star diagonal and observe without glass path compensation.

Technical Information

Teleskop-Service has collected a lot of helpful information about refractors and provided it in English as a PDF file: refractors.pdf

Astrophotographic results obtained with this telescope on Astrobin

Here you can find some astrophotographs made with this telescope model: Link to Astrobin

Review by a customer

Our customer Ronald Zincone has taken a nice image of the moon and also written a review of the telescope:

"There is certainly a niche market for this kind of scope design for those like me who love the long-focal length "planet killer" refractors. It is wonderful to see that telescope designers and dealers are jumping on board for this type of scope. For amateur astronomers who main do visual and observe the moon and planets, refractors are the way to go and especially any scope from f/9 to f20.

I purchased this scope from several months ago and gave it "first light". I was not disapointed! The "doublet" SD FPL-53 and mated second glass element show very minimal CA when I tested on the full moon. The mechanics are professional quality. Love the nice upgraded R&P focuser (as opposed to a Crayford) which is nice and smooth with two speeds.The retractable dew shield is wonderful. The focal length and weight of the scope is just right and I can easily mount on my SW EQ5 with a pier extension. The OTA is beautiful with the classic white. I also purchased the TSBAG (blue) to go with this scope as a nice soft case that protects the scope and makes it easy to carry.

I consider this scope my "dream scope" and "workhorse" scope because of its high-quality optics and mechanics. I am a big fan of both TS Optics and APM. Thank you for making this scope available to the amateur astronomy market. Attached is an image of the moon taken with the TS-Optics 102 mm f/11 SD - Apochromat with 2.5" RAP focuser.

Best,
Ronald Zincone"

Here is the image, you will see the original one Ronald Zincone sent us by clicking on this preview:

Object: Waxing gibbous moon (62% illuminated), mirrored image

Photographer: Ronald Zincone, North Kingstown, RI, USA
Telescope: TS-Optics 102 mm f/11 SD - Apochromat with 2.5" RAP focuser
Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ5

Thanks to Ronald Zincone for this short but informative report and the nice picture!

Safety informations: PDF Download