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About this product
Model: askar_fra400_5.6
Part Number: ASAPO7256
Optical Bench Test
At FLO, we check all our Askar telescopes on an optical bench before dispatch.
So you can be confident your telescope will have well-figured optics, negligible false colour and spherical aberration, and no astigmatism (the bane of any optical system!). Star shapes will be round, not triangular, oval or egg-shaped!
New ASKAR FRA400 72mm f/5.6 Flatfield Astrograph
The ASKAR FRA400 (Flatfield Refractive Astrograph) features a five-element optical design that delivers sharp flat-field images with very low chromatic aberration.
With a 72mm objective, two ED elements, and a Petzval optical layout, this f/5.6 scope has a focal length of 400mm, and it’s ideal for capturing stunning wide-field images of the deep sky over a 44mm full-frame image circle. It also performs well as a rich field telescope (star diagonal not included) for visual astronomy.
The ASKAR FRA400 includes a large 3” rack-and-pinion dual-speed focuser that’s fully rotatable through 360 degrees. The focuser tube terminates with an M68x1 thread for direct camera attachment, and it comes with an M68-M48 adapter suitable for connecting most DSLR and dedicated Astro Imaging cameras. It also includes a 2” adapter ring and a 1.25”-2” adapter for use with diagonals, eyepieces, or smaller cameras.
The attractive optical tube of the FRA400 is complemented with a highly functional set of aluminium rings, a Vixen-style dovetail, and a carrying handle. The rings include separate mounting holes for additional accessories. The entire tube is just 317mm long and weighs 2.6kg. The ASKAR FRA400 also features a retractable dew shield.
While the fast f/5.6 focal ratio is ideal for deep-sky imaging, ASKAR also makes an optional FRA72RD focal reducer (not included) for the FRA400 scope to bring the focal ratio to f/3.9 while still supporting full-frame imaging.
A dedicated Focal Reducer reduces the telescope's focal ratio to a very fast f/3.9 and provides an imaging circle that covers full-frame sensors.
The FRA400 is an excellent choice for wide-field imaging with the flexibility to work at F5.6 and F3.9.
FEATURES
- Aperture: 72mm / 2.83in
- Focal Length: 400mm
- Focus Ratio: f/5.6
- Objective Type: Quintuplet Dual ED Air-Spaced APO
- Overall length: 317mm
- Tube Weight: 2.56kg
- Total Weight (with accessories): 2.88kg
- Back-end Adapter: M68x1 Male Thread, 2" Adapter / 1.25" Adapter
- Back focus: 140mm
Telescope Field of View Simulator
Focuser Mechanics
Dimensions
Optics
What's in the box
- Telescope OTA
- Tube rings
- Carry Handle
- Vixen-style Dovetail Bar
- M68 to 2" Eyepiece Holder
- 2" to 1.25" adapter
- M68 to M48 adapter
- Instruction manual
- Quality Control Inspection List
Customer reviews
| Average Rating (6 Reviews): | |
Finally got out with the Askar 17 October 2022 | David
What a great little scope. A pleasure to use. Easy to reach focus. No messing around with feild flatteners. lots of adapter options. excellent quality built. lovely optics, not too heavy. produces sharp images across the field. what's not to like! One of my better purchases for sure.
20 September 2022 | Steven
I'd been using lenses up to this point, and gotten some reasonable images out them, but had to work hard to get them. This however is a truly massive jump in capability. Flat from corner to corner, a great FL for many objects, decent weight for most mounts, I think my portable could even cope. Everything about it just makes it easy, but I'm sure that'll I'll have to work to get the vey best out of it. As one of the other reviewers said it needs a longer bar underneath, it's tail heavy with a camera on and the focuser extended.
However, the staff deserve 5 stars too, putting up with simple questions and a few false starts, they've been so helpful.
27 January 2022 | Anthony
I received the telescope on time as stated, it is extremely well made. Unfortunately due to the poor weather I have not been able to use it.
Very pleased so far.
19 December 2021 | Graham
I had an SW ED 72 which in its self a very good bit of kit but this knocks it out of the park, so I now use the SW from general viewing and the Askar for imaging, I also got the Askar Finder Plate so the guide sits on top of the scope. Many thanks to the Staff at FLO.
03 May 2021 | Andrew
I have had this scope for just under a month and have only used it a few times due to weather and work but from those few times im sold on this scope. No setting up spacing for a FR, round stars straight out of the box! the focuser is good and solid and the build is very good. Would recomend to all.
Great telescope for astro-imaging 08 January 2021 | Lee
The Askar FRA400 offers a lot in a compact package, and is good value for money. I've written a more thorough review on SGL: https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/369728-askar-fra400-f56-quintuplet-apo-astrograph-review/
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