$1000 Refractor vs. $4000 Refractor for Astrophotography

This is a video comparing the difference between a cheap refractor telescope and a very expensive refractor telescope. I compare the focusers, field flatteners, building materials, and optical differences between the two for astrophotography. You surprisingly do not gain much performance for the extra money, and if you are starting out I recommend you go with a cheaper scope. If you are using a full frame, you have to go with more expensive telescopes.
Here are some telescopes I recommend to you as a beginner, they're all mostly the same just get whatever is in stock (and don't forget a field flattener):
Orion ed80tcf: bit.ly/3d8QU3B
Askar FRA400: bit.ly/3B7DQDE
RedCat51: bit.ly/3qw0Bw6
WO GT81: bit.ly/3eBOx9T

[@nikaxstrophotography]

Image comparisons would be a better comparison

[@capturethephotons2078]

You can make great images with that 1000 dollar telescope. You can also make poor images with that 4000 telescope. Images won't tell the whole tale.

[@nikaxstrophotography]

@@capturethephotons2078 he's comparing scopes, same targets same processing same astronomer then there should be close enough

[@griffith500tvr]

I would never buy a Takahashi, for the money you can buy a Williams optics telescope, a camera and a mount....

[@JeffHorne]

Great comparison. Thanks, Bray!

[@stevesanacore7459]

I’ve had a few Taks (FSQ 106, SKY 90, TOA 130 ETC), and they were wonderful, but very expensive these days. But comparing to the low end scopes seems silly. I’m wondering how the mid priced refractors compare? Scopes such as Explore Sci APO’s, Astro Tech APO’s, Skywatcher, Tele-Vue, etc. It would be nice to get a recommendation of the middle ground in APO Refractors. Otherwise your info is excellent. Thank you.

[@entropytango5348]

A sensible review. Love my Taks

[@drde4010]

BabyQ was my favorite imaging scope. Had the Epsilon 180 and FSQ106.

[@Miguel_Noppe]

Nice comparison, but tak is a bit expensive for my taste . I'll stick to my Esprit 120 for now. Although my upgrades have pushed the price over 4K also. But it's a 120mm scope.... Your mosaics are awesome btw !

[@poolsidestargeezer9338]

I have an ED80T-CF for solar and for learning astrophotography. I have my heart set on an SCT near term, so the Tak purchase will be a little further down the line. Thanks for doing a comparison!

[@palmereldrich]

I am reminded of the so-called superiority of Takahashi ota's. For about 1/3 the price my Sky-Watcher 100ED F/9 meets or beats them-honestly-its a light limited tube !! Gosh almighty !! Got mine in 2019 before the increased prices but still would do the same thing today at 60% more $$ Wisdom before money.

[@jaedinthompson1845]

itd be cool if you could compare an askar petzval scope to a more expensive tak petzval

[@capturethephotons2078]

I have a William optics GT81 so i guess I'd be right in the middle. Mine is a triplet design for a little over two grand with dedicated adjustable field flattener/.08 reducer. Clear skies

[@1specialk8900]

What’s the dovetail plate you have on there?

[@woody5109]

We all start out the same way, budget minded. Once you get hooked and start to feel the pull of the SP black hole..there’s no going back.

[@NeilCorke]

Very interesting!

[@chrisvig123]

The Tak is also known to have poor focuser at such an extreme price range 😯

[@TheRhike]

If your are using FF camera, what size of filters do you need?

[@shubhamcweb]

At least 2” mounted. 50mm round/square is better.

[@rickbria8420]

You should’ve had the telescopes on a table and pointing to different parts of the telescope you’re discussing. most of the time you were in focus and the telescopes were not.

[@griffith500tvr]

Shame you did not show the difference in image quality

[@Mr77pro]

You're in a different league financially if the $1000 Orion triplet is a "beginner" scope. But love your images just the same

[@td6935]

Cool another video i watched eventho i wont ever be able to afford it 🙂

[@jdw715]

Let's see some images with each.

[@georgewilkie5090]

"Slightly larger telescope that's comparable to this Takahashi", lol.

[@MrMa1981]

Brian False?