Sharpstar 61mm f/5.5 ED Triplet Apo Refractor Telescope # 61EDPHII
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US Customers in Hawaii and Alaska:
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International Customers:
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Please Note: In recent days, with the buzz around the Radian 61, we have received a few inquiries whether this scope uses FPL-53 glass or whether there are two optical versions of this scope in the market. Based on the information provided to us by Sharpstar:
1) They use an ED element in this scope but they will NOT disclose what that glass type is.
2) Despite some speculation to the contrary in online forums, there is only ONE optical version of this scope worldwide. While some other international dealers state that this scope has an FPL-53 element, Sharpstar itself does not specify this.
Also, please note that we will not be able to match the slightly lower price of this scope offered by one other US dealer as their price is a violation of our MAP agreement with Sharpstar. With the current tariffs in place, our net profit margin on this item is already ridiculously low.
Please Note:
- All Sharpstar/Askar refractors undergo physical, mechanical and optical QC inspections at the factory, and an inspection checklist is included with each telescope.
- We may partially open the scope boxes to ensure that the scope has been inspected/certified by the manufacturer but we do not open the scope and inspect it again.
- However, if you would like us to perform a mechanical and cosmetic inspection of your telescope again before we ship it, just request this in the comments field when you place your order. We will be happy to do this at no extra cost for this scope, but this will delay your shipment by 1-2 business days. Note that we are unable to perform optical tests/inspections.
Product Details
The original Sharpstar 61EDPH doublet refractor was widely praised by astrophotgraphers who valued its superb optics and build quality. Building on the success of the 61EDPH, the 61EDPH II refractor introduces additional features and capabilities that meet the needs of serious astrophotographers seeking a premium instrument for wide-field imaging.
Sharpstar 61EDPH II Optics
The 61EDPH II upgrades the original doublet objective of its predecessor with an air-spaced apochromatic triplet objective with one ED element. With a focal length of 335mm and a fast focal ratio of f/5.5, this fully multi-coated objective offers superb color correction and image sharpness in a highly compact design. The performance of the objective is enhanced by the internally-blackened aluminum optical tube that helps maximize image contrast. When the dew shield is retracted, the optical tube is just 235mm long.
Sharpstar 61EDPH II Image Circle and Astrophotography Performance
For the price, this fast apochromatic telescope offers excellent value and can approach the performance of telescopes that cost three or four times as much. This is especially true when matched with astronomy cameras with smaller 1" and 4/3" sensors. Cameras with larger APS-C and full-frame sensors may reveal slight aberrations at the edge of the field, especially when using the focal reducer.
Sharpstar 61EDPH II Included Accessories
The anodized tube rings and matching carrying handle and finderscope bracket offer a stylish and beautiful appearance. The handle includes slots and mounting holes for attaching accessories such as a guide scope. The 61EDPH II also includes a 10cm dovetail plate for mounting on a standard Vixen-style saddle on an equatorial mount. The dovetail plate also includes a mounting hole for attachment to a standard photo tripod.
The 61EDPH II is equipped with a medium 2.5" dual-speed rack-and-pinion precision focuser. As a further upgrade from the 61EDPH, the focuser is fully rotatable by 360 degrees for ideal framing of targets on the camera sensor.
Reducer/Flattener for the Sharpstar 61EDPH II
Unlike many telescopes at this fast f/5.5 focal ratio, the 61EDPH II accommodates a dedicated 0.8x focal reducer (sold separately), the same Sharpstar reducer used for the 61EDPH. The air-spaced triplet reducer brings the scope to a very fast focal ratio of f/4.5 and an effective focal length of 275mm with an image circle that supports full-frame cameras at a field of view of 7.5 degrees X 5.0 degrees. The 2.3" reducer’s drawtube has female M63×1 thread that attaches to the telescope’s focuser while the other end includes an external male M48×0.75 thread for a camera to ensure the 55mm back focus requirement is satisfied. The back focus can be extended to 99mm by unthreading the back adapter of the reducer which gives access to another M63x1 thread to attaching to the focuser after you attach additional accessories such as a filter wheel. The reducer also includes a female M48x0.75 thread for attaching a filter and a mechanism to rotate the attached camera by 360 degrees.
With its premium color-corrected optics, this little scope also works well for grab-and-go visual observing (without the focal reducer) and includes a 1.25”-2” adapter for use with smaller diagonals and eyepieces.
Sharpstar 61EDPH II Specifications
- Aperture: 61mm
- Limiting Star Magnitude: 10.7
- Focus Ratio: f/5.5
- Resolution: 1.93 Arc Seconds
- Objective Type: Triplet Air-Spaced APO (one ultra-low dispersion ED glass) - Note: the ED glass type has NOT been disclosed by Sharpstar
- Overall Tube Length: 235mm (with dew shield retracted)
- Accessories: Tube Ring, Dovetail Plate, Handle
- Main Tube Outer Diameter: 80mm
- Net Weight: 1.5kg (bare tube) 1.9kg including tube ring and dovetail plate
Other Information
- Country of Manufacture: China
