The combination of Explore Scientific's 0.8x focal reducer and FCD-100 80 mm Air-Spaced Triplet Refractor creates a 5-element wide-field astrophotography system ready to reveal wonders of the night sky. Because the focal reducer can be replaced with a diagonal, the astrograph can transform into a visual instrument that offers stunning visual views of the night sky.

The 0.8x focal reducer turns this f/6 telescope (focal length 480 mm) into an f/4.8 telescope (focal length 384 mm), allowing users a field wide enough to photograph the entirety of the Andromeda Galaxy, the Cygnus Loop, or the Heart Nebula. 

The 80 mm aperture allows more light to collect onto your camera sensor than telescopes with smaller apertures. This telescope gathers:

• 1.3 times more light than a 70 mm telescope
• 1.8 times more than a 60 mm telescope
• 2.6 timers more than a 50 mm telescope

In addition, the telescope offers true diffraction-limited optics with genuine HOYA FCD100 extra-low dispersion (ED) glass, that is very similar in characteristics to Ohara FPL-53. Through technological innovation, we have successfully launched the mass production of high-performance optical glass at the apex of the FCD family. Combining it with optical glass of high refractive index allows us to achieve unprecedented advanced chromatic-aberration correction. Hoya FCD100 is considered the best glass ever produced by Hoya.

While the Essential Series 80 mm telescope with FCD1 glass is a fine instrument, if you want to dive deep into astrophotography, the FCD100 glass offers better transmission of red light (where many of the great nebulae shine) and better contrast. That means your photographs are going to pop.

Used with the 0.8x focal reducer, this telescope is an air-spaced 5-element optical design that virtually eliminates chromatic aberrations. This telescope generates brilliant high-contrast images by combining genuine HOYA extra-low dispersion (ED) glass and proprietary EMD enhanced multi-layer deposition coatings on all optical surfaces.

Included in the Box:

• FCD-100 ED 80 mm f/6 air-spaced refractor telescope
• 0.8x Focal Reducer with ends caps and adapter with 42 mm T2 ring thread
• 99% reflective 2-inch diagonal
• Explore Scientific 2.5-inch hexagonal focuser rugged enough to load 10 pounds onto the focuser
• 2 focuser extension tubes
• Hybrid Finder Scope Base installed on scope. (Finder scope not included.)
• Built-in dew shield
• Dust cover/lens cap

Limited Warranty is one year, which converts to the Explore STAR Transferable Extended Life of the Product Warranty when product is registered within 60 days of purchase. Click Here to register.