William Optics Zenithstar Z61 or Zenithstar Z73? Which one?

Are you deciding on what refractor is right for you? Is it between the William optics Zenithstar Z61 and Zenithstar Z73? Are you getting into astrophotography and buying your first scope? Want to learn more about these two refractors?
In this video I break down the specs, what the Zenithstar Z61 and Z73 come with, How to decide between the two and sample images taken from both scopes.
I hope this video helps in your decision
Check out my video on how to set backfocus on each of these refractors here : • How to set backfocus o...
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[@Psychlist1972]

The cases are nice, but only for shipping it to you. Once you set up the scope with the reducer/flattener or the auto focuser, the case becomes instantly useless unless you do a complete tear-down each time (I do not). This is true with all the WO cases. I have a Z73. It's a nice scope for the most part. The focuser is a bit clunky, but overall, it is a good package for the price. I travel with it because I can't shoot from my yard. When in doubt, always go for larger aperture so you can get more detail in your shots. The reducer on the Z73 knocks you down to a very wide field, just about the same as the native focal length of the 61. Your photos, especially the pillars of creation, look great!

[@astronotna]

Thanks Pete! It was my first time taking a photo on the pillars And I couldn't agree with you more on the case! I find myself packing my z73 in a camera backpack due to the electronic focuser. Thanks for checking out this video and my channel! Wishing you clear skies

[@meianoitee01]

I love the colors you choose for your pictures. That's amazing

[@astronotna]

Thanks so much! I really appreciated that!

[@wmon77]

Very helpful video. Went with the Z61ii because of the size and weight. Plan to use it on my Skywatcher AZ-Gti mount. Thanks for your help!

[@astronotna]

Glad it helped!! I love mine still! Thank you for watching this one!

[@RayPaganJr]

I got those same glasses. Nice video. Trying to decide on my first telescope. I’d like to have it for both astrophotography and viewing. Can’t own two.

[@thepedalsadvocate7389]

GREAT video! Am currently going through this decision

[@astronotna]

I'm totally excited for you. Glad this helped!!

[@christophergreendyk5620]

Thanks for this! I am still debating which one to go for, but I think I am leaning to the Z73..

[@astronotna]

My pleasure! They are both great scopes congrats on your future purchase!

[@Frankietomatoes6189]

Another great video

[@astronotna]

Thanks Frankie!!

[@febsat]

I realize the video is about comparing two different scopes, but when teasing us with photos, it would be nice to know what other components in the optical train were used (filters if any & camera). They play a very important role. Thanks for posting the video.

[@astronotna]

Febsat camera used was a zwo asi 183mm pro with zwo 1.25" narrowband filters inside a zwo 5 position filter wheel. Hope this helps you further.

[@Neanderthal75]

I have the Z61 for over a year now, but it developed a pinched optics and tried to fix it on my own , but now its out of collimation. Ever since then I moved to a 150mm Newtonian, which is more work to start with (collimation before each session) , but over the year, I have tried 2 other telescopes too. I have to say the Z61 does excellent when it works as intended. Anyone buying new one, please test it ASAP and watch your star shapes and if you notice anything out of ordinary ask a more experienced astronomer/photographer or ask the store you bought it from.

[@ly8370]

Refractor does not require collimation. Yours is more like a defective optics.

[@AZ4Runner]

Nice Comparison of the 2 scopes

[@astronotna]

Thanks so much! And thanks for checking this video out!

[@BRP42]

Thanks for posting this content! It definitely helps with making a decision. One question though: how did you get the William Optics info in Stellarium? There are limited selections available to me, and William Optics isn't any of them. Likewise, my camera isn't listed (Canon SL2, A.K.A. 200D).

[@astronotna]

Your welcome I'm glad this helped out. You can add them manually in stellaruim just hit the wrench icon in the top right corner!

[@RazorChrist]

Yeah I've been really struggling with deciding. I think what it'll come down to for me is the mount I get. Right now I'm looking at the Star-Watcher EQM-35. I dunno if I'll need a beefier mount for the Z73, but the EQM-35 might be able to handle it with the rest of the payload.

[@astronotna]

Hey Razell Blight your not alone! I struggled with this myself. The Skywatcher eqm 35 should be just fine for the Z73! Just try to get the biggest mount you can. That way when you graduate to larger scopes you won't have to buy a mount too. The HEQ 5 is the next step up if your budget allows. Thanks for checking out my video and this channel appreciate it and congrats on your future purchase!!

[@RazorChrist]

@@astronotna yeah I looked at the HEQ5, but sadly right now it's not in my price range. I'm just getting started in this amazing world, so I don't want to go full tilt too quickly. But I do want to make purchases that will allow me to upgrade in the future, which is why I'm not opting for one of the smaller star tracker mounts to start. Keep up the great content!

[@astronotna]

@@RazorChrist Sounds like a solid plan to me and I will try not to disappoint!

[@ly8370]

I went for the Z61 because of its smaller size and weight. I don't have a car or a backyard for shooting. So I need a small telescope where I can hand carry it to a nearby park.

[@rogermachler2303]

Vielen Dankfür Dein Video viel Grüsse aus der Schweiz roger

[@astronotna]

Your very welcome! Thanks for watching this one!

[@coltoncyr2283]

so what is the reason of WHY you zone this Brand? just curious. i watched a few videos of this telescope. ive also looked into SVBony telescope. and i cant understand the differences, they are almost the same costs.

[@astronotna]

Hi Colton! William optics gear is what I own and use. I have lots of knowledge on it. I've never used Svbomy gear so I would be very uncomfortable producing a video on equipment I've never used. That being said if I could get my hands on a sample the first thing I would do would be a comparison video.

[@Cary_mac]

What camera were you using for your example photos??

[@astronotna]

Hey C M i used a Zwo asi 183mm pro

[@copper12heavy69]

Are both lenses in these doublets fpl53 glass or just one?

[@astronotna]

Not sure, William Optics is very unclear on this. I am assuming so as the specs lead you to believe this. Although to my understanding 1 element FPL 53 does the job. I've seen alot of higher end triplet designs have 1 element FPL and 2 elements of ED glass. Good question here. I may contact William Optics out of curiosity.

[@vgsingh1]

How do you add a 2 inch filter to the flat61

[@astronotna]

The flat 61 has threads for a 2 inch filter inside it. The part your camera adapter mounts to unscrews to allow you to add a filter to it.

[@astronotna]

I demonstrate this at 1:41 if you need to see it visually. maybe ill put it on my list for solo video subjects soon. That is a great question

[@woody5109]

Splitting hairs, you nodules it when you said “it’s all a about the tracker”

[@vincenzomiceli]

at 2:44 your focuser seems very loose...

[@astronotna]

Feels OK to me shot with it the other night. I do bolt a eaf to it sometimes so there might have been some play there. Hasn't done anything wierd yet. I'll check it out. Thx

[@entropytango5348]

Its all pretty much the same...just a different focal length....still the same ordinary performance. Get yourself a Takahashi instead