Brand: William Optics

William Optics RedCat 51 WFID APO Petzval OTA (L-RC51RDIII)

L-RC51RDIII

Brand: William Optics

William Optics RedCat 51 WFID APO Petzval OTA (L-RC51RDIII)

L-RC51RDIII

  • Includes William Optics Slide-Base Uniguide 32mm Scope
$881.00 USD

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$881.00 USD

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Why we love the William Optics RedCat 51 WFID APO Petzval OTA (L-RC51RDIII)

The wildly popular William Optics RedCat has earned it's place as a legendary astrograph. These use premium glass to deliver accurate color, a flat image, and a wide field. They're great little scopes, perfect for imaging massive nebulae like the flame and horsehead in Orion's belt.

Petzval's are the original fast, wide lenses. They were mathematically designed optics that were way ahead of their time when first developed in the 1840's (that's not a typo) and they are still relevant today. They're known for being flat to the edges, so you won't get any bloated or stretched stars in the corners of your images. They're also super-wide, so you can use a massive camera sensor and take in vast swaths of the night sky.

The RedCat is an advanced astrograph that takes advantage of premium modern glass, and cutting-edge camera technologies to take your astrophotography to the next level.

Product Description

As seen on the RedCat 61 series, the patented William Optics Internal Focus Design (WIFD) makes its debut on the RedCat 51 series! The addition of the WIFD system brings something that RedCat 51 fans have all been waiting for: out-of-the box electronic focuser compatibility. This innovation from William Optics provides the ultimate Apochromatic refractor for astrophotography!

This internal focusing design does not shift the length of the OTA in any way, as the optics themselves move within the telescope as opposed to the camera moving. This prevents vignetting seen with traditional rear mounted focusers, and allows for a better redistribution of weight for improved balance of your optical assembly during your night of imaging. This WIFD apparatus offers the ability to automate your astrophotography set up with an electronic automatic focuser as well! When pairing this innovative technology with the high quality Petzval design of the RedCat series, William Optics delivers a telescope with outstanding astrophotography performance.

Designed to be the best, affordable, small, lightweight and fast Apochromatic refactor for astrophotography. The unique optical design includes the highest quality glass for the best possible color correction and flat large image circle. The result is a 51 mm objective lens, in a sleek Petzval design, for a full-frame image.

Includes William Optics Slide-Base UniGuide 32mm Scope

The 32 mm UniGuide guide scope from William Optics has a focal length of 120 mm and a focal ratio of f/3.75. The guide scope comes with a Vixen-style slide-base. This base is compatible with the William Optics saddle carry handle and the Cat Handle bar (neither handles are included).

The back of the William Optics 32mm UniGuide scope comes with an M42 thread for attaching 1.25" cylindrical-type guide cameras such as QHY, SBIG, and ZWO cameras. Tightening knobs will ensure a stable fit for the attached guiding equipment.

  • Aperture: 32mm
  • Focal length: 120mm
  • Focal ratio: f/3.75
  • Length: 265mm
  • Weight: 240g
  • Available Back Focus: 20.1mm

What can I see with a William Optics RedCat 51 WFID APO Petzval OTA (L-RC51RDIII)?

Here are some simulated views of common objects. Results with your telescope will vary with viewing conditions, obrits, equipment and more.

Jupiter with

25mm Eyepiece - 10x Magnification

(Sold Separately)

Jupiter with

10mm Eyepiece - 25x Magnification

Sold Separately

Jupiter with

5mm Eyepiece - 50x Magnification

Sold Separately

Moon with 25mm Eyepiece

10x Magnification

(Sold Separately)

Moon with 10mm Eyepiece

25x Magnification

Sold Separately

Moon with 5mm Eyepiece

50x Magnification

Sold Separately

Andromeda with 36mm Eyepiece

7x Magnification

Sold Separately

Andromeda with 25mm Eyepiece

10x Magnification

(Sold Separately)

Andromeda with 10mm Eyepiece

25x Magnification

Sold Separately

What's in the Box

  • William Optics 51mm Gen 3 RedCat
  • William Optics Slide-Base UniGuide 32mm Scope
  • Dust Cover with Bahtinov Mask
  • 210 mm Vixen Dovetail
  • Mounting Ring
  • Soft Carrying Case
  • Dew Shield
  • Tilt Adjuster
  • Camera Angle Rotation Device
  • Saddle Handle Bar

Specifications

Lens Type: 4 Elements Petzval Design
Focal Length: 250 mm
Diameter: 51 mm
Aperture: f/4.9
Image circle: 48 mm
Focuser: WIFD (WO INTERNAL FOCUS DESIGN) Compatible with EAF
Focus travel: 0-23mm (Ruler to 30mm)
Optional Flattener: No Flattener Required
Adapters: N/A
Lens Material: FPL-53
Camera Format: > Full Frame
T-Mounts Supported: Canon EF, RF Nikon F, Z Sony E Pentax K MFT (M4/3) FUJI X
Tube Length: 346 mm - 298 mm
OTA Weight: N/A
Total Weight: 2.38 kg / 5.25 lbs

Customer Reviews

Based on 2 reviews
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B
B.W.
William optics RedCat 51 WFID

Easy to set up. Easy to use. Enjoying the scope. Looking forward to getting some really great images.

C
C.D.
What a great OTA

This is my first really serious addition to my astrophotography setup. I just got into this last October and got hooked. I was using a zoom telephoto and getting some nice shots but this goes way beyond what I was able to get. Focusing is a dream. Quality is top drawer. I highly recommend the RedCat 51 version 3 to anyone looking to get more serious about astrophotography at a decent price point.

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