Askar SQA55 Quintuplet Astrograph - Will This Replace The RedCat?
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The Space Koala Astrophotography by Luca Bartek
Would Askar SQA55 Quintuplet Astrograph telescope be a Askar 50 P killer if you compare them?
There’s no comparison. The 50P is a low-cost ultra wide angle scope to be used with smaller sensors, with significantly larger spot sizes. The SQA outperforms it in every area. Of course it costs 3 times as much as well 😅
Who else immediately thought of Johnny 5 when she was playing with the aperture?
Thanks for another great video Luca! I found exactly the same difference when I upgraded from my RedCat 61 WIFD to the SQA70 a year ago. The difference on a full-frame sensor was so different that I rarely use my RedCat 61 and my beautiful SQA 70 is now my travel scope. There was a negligible difference in purchase price and although the RedCat 61 is very well made the SQA 70 has exceptional build quality. I wish Askar would make a large aperture 135 mm SQA for full-frame!
I have been wondering which one of those two is better, still debating which one to buy but your review did help me see the optical differences.
Cool video. I have the Asi2600 and use Canon telephoto lenses on it. Is the Redcat51 or Askar a good telescope to start with? Would there be a big difference in the images? The telephoto lenses are nice because it can be set to different focal lengths. Thanx for the info. Also can you use 2" filters with either of them?
It’s hard to say something specific as I don’t know what lenses you have (and I don’t have experiences with canon lenses anyway) but in general fixed focal length optics are superior and highly recommended when it comes to astrophotography. Between these 2 models I would definitely opt for the SQA as it has far superior optics based on my tests. Both models support 2” filters either by using a filter drawer or wheel (you have space for it) or also twisted directly into the back
I have a redcat51 wifd, the internal focuser and more useful features such as the built in tilt adjuster wins it for the redcat51 over the askar for me in terms of considering an upgrade, but it's clear there is way better glass in the SQA55. I do think Askar made a mistake though incorporating so many odd features which are only useful for daytime photography. The quick release brackets are an unnecessary gimmick in my opinion and may introduce play into your mounting solution if you're doing long exposure photography, the "dual rotator" seems to have no real use above the traditional rotator as far as I can tell.
hmm, I agree the dual rotator is mostly pointless. Though I have had other refractors where I could rotate the focuser and then a separate rotator for the camera too - I never understood the reason! As for the removable stuff - I think you have a point. For my use it really doesn't matter as I always use an OAG or Duo camera
Thanks for the review! Well I think you exaggerated here a little bit. While the stars in the corner are indeed so much better with the Askar, the difference in the Center is there but in my opinion it’s not “shocking”. Anyway, which version of the Redcat did you test? Maybe the newer revision is now better? 🙂 After your test I would go with the Askar!
well, I was a little shocked because I went into this review being sure that the difference would only be in the corners, because in my memory the redcat had nice stars in the middle - though I hadn't used it for a long time. Mine is a version from 2021, perhaps they have improved on the optics since then with the later WIFD editions. In any case, with a very similar price point, and the same features, choosing between these 2 is a no brainer IMO. Which is disappointing because I love the whole cat vibe - I even bought a customized redcat edition Rainbow Astro mount years ago
@the_space_koala Yeah yeah I absolutely get your point. I found it more disappointing comparing the corners. Its said that the Redcat is flatfield corrected but seeing that coma in the corners is somehow disappointing. Anyways, I loved your review and it encouraged me to buy the SQA55 in the future. Ah and also thanks for your Optolong Synergy video! I loved that too :)
Thanks for the review.
Thank you for another very high quality video. You did say the variable stopping diaphragm is not for night use, but I wondered if it might be useful for lunar photography?
I wouldn’t use it. The problem is that you don’t just decrease the amount of incoming light but also the available resolution. Especially for lunar you want the largest possible aperture - and 55mm is on the small side. To decrease it further would do you a disservice
@the_space_koalathank you so much 😊
Very useful video Luca
You certainly got a shockingly bad Lemon Cat there 😢
A SIX YEAR OLD, TO MY POOR HEARING. squeak, squeak YOU CAN NEVER START TO YOUNG. IN TWENTY YEARS WE WILL SEE. I GET IT NOW WE PAY YOU TO, AND I AM MORE THAN WILLING TO PAY, WE PAY YOU TO DESCRIBE WHAT EVER CROSSES YOUR FLOWER FIELD IMAGINATIONS ABOUT ANYTHING YOU WANT, FOR AS LONG AS YOU WANT. SORRY, I AM LOOKING FOR THE ADORABLE BUTTON AND THEY HAD TO DISABLE MINE AGAIN. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR MOVIE CARRIER.
yip - you're 100% right / the 55 is an upgrade
I have a cat, he is red and I would never replace him :D
These aren't telescopes, they are specialty camera lenses. Canon and Nikon should be making these as a sideline and keep the Chinese from yet another monopoly.
The problem with Canon lenses etc. is that you cannot mount them on any camera. An astrograph can be mounted on Canon, Nikon, Fuji etc. just by buying a cheap adapter. Also lenses do not have the fine focussing and focus locking capability.
cant wait for my sqa55 I even went ahead and got the asi2600mc air with it and did get the focus kit for lazy focusing gonna be my light travel setup and probly use it at home aswell just in general askar really do be bringing some good scopes oh and Koala is there like a cover for the dew shield or you just use the clip was thinking of finding a cover for it
Sorry I just saw this realistically you could just 3D print something if you wanted to! Make it slightly larger and glue felt on the inside
Great channel and enjoy your style of presenting - very easy going. Would love to know if there's a Canon equivalent of the adapter being screwed in to the lens @10:26
yes there is! search for canon bayonet - m48 adapter
Got my RF adapter for the R50 from High Point Scientific for around $60 made by WO.
What is better class of lens than Askar when used with Nikon Z8, or should i just use my Nikon 400mm. Im starting night photography and from Scottsdale AZ can’t seem to get moon photos clear [ - perhaps light pollution]. Thank you‼️‼️
light pollution is unlikely to disturb Moon photography as the Moon is extremely bright. The Askar lens is not going to be a huge upgrade over your current lens when it comes to Moon photography, so if that's your primary goal I would not recommend it. High resolution Moon images call for larger diameter optics, a calm atmosphere and a technique called "lucky imaging". You could already start doing the latter with your current lens and it should provide some benefit to get the sharpest shots out of many
@ agree in concepts. I need many more hours behind the equipment - thanks so much‼️
At first, thank you for an excellent review. Because of my budget right now I chose the SvBony SV555. I think, if it's the updated version, it is a very good little telescope. 😏 And BTW. it's nice to looked you shocked by visiting the results of the Askar SAQ55. It was my first choice - but double the price of the SvBony (it's also in sale directly by SvBony-EU (Germany for me)). 😁
congrats on the new scope, I hope you received a good one. And I was genuinely super impressed with the SQA here :D Clear skies!!
I have a Z61 - and I was really hoping that this would be the replacement for it. I I really wished that Askar made a Rack and Pinion version - I like this style if I am using the lens for a camera - but not as much of a fan for it on a telescope.