Top 154 Telescope Objective Lenses Ideal for Astrophotography

Epic Guide to Cassegrain Astrographs Rankings

Top 154 Telescope Objective Lenses Ideal for Astrophotography

Hey there, skywatchers! Are you ready to dive deep into the world of Cassegrain telescopes and find the top models for deep-sky and planetary imaging? Buckle up! We'll explore the ins and outs of Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutov-Cassegrain astrographs, along with our exclusive rankings.

Decoding Cassegrain Specs

Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes (SCTs) are the most popular type of Cassegrains out there. They are versatile and cost-effective for a given aperture. Many SCTs can be adjusted to f/6.3 using a thread-on reducer, while some even offer a conversion to f/2 Schmidt cameras with the Starizona HyperStar system. Though, an f/2 Schmidt camera allows for short exposure times, it can be tricky to focus and may be incompatible with some cameras like monochrome or DSLR cameras.

Regular SCTs have a less-than-sharp outer field of view by default, necessitating a reducer-flattener to achieve a more reasonable speed for deep-sky imaging and enhance performance. Aplanatic SCT designs, such as the Celestron EdgeHD and Meade ACF, offer better performance for deep-sky imaging, albeit there's little difference in planetary performance. The EdgeHD is slightly superior optically and mechanically, with a broader range of available accessories, while the ACF telescopes cannot be used with HyperStar, but standard SCTs from both Meade and Celestron work with the HyperStar system.

Ritchey-Chretien telescopes boast a sharper and flatter field than SCTs by default, often producing a larger image circle, and typically offer superior focusing systems and mechanical aspects that make them more suited for deep-sky imaging. However, collimating them can be challenging, they're more expensive, they require a field flattener for deep-sky imaging, they produce diffraction spikes like in a Newtonian, and they are subpar for visual or planetary imaging due to their large central obstructions.

Classical Cassegrain telescopes aren't intended for deep-sky imaging, although some can be used for it. Vixen's VC and VMC telescopes represent a Classical Cassegrain variant using small corrector lenses similar to those found in aplanatic SCTs. Like Ritchey-Chretiens, they produce diffraction spikes in images, have slower f-ratios, and have limited accessory support for deep-sky imaging.

Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes should be avoided for deep-sky imaging as they rarely offer fast focal ratios, large image circles, or the ability to be used with a reducer. However, they have minimal collimation requirements and can achieve stunning planetary images.

Cassegrain Rankings for the Win

Under $1000

1. Celestron C6 XLT (SCT) - $839.95 at AgenaAstro
2. Meade 6" ACF (Aplanatic SCT) - $949 at HighPoint
3. Apertura/GSO/TPO/AstroTech 6" f/9 Ritchey-Chretien - unranked
4. iOptron Photron 6" (Ritchey-Chretien) - $499.95 at HighPoint
5. GSO/AstroTech 6" Classical Cassegrain - $599 at AgenaAstro
6. Explore Scientific FirstLight 152mm Mak-Cassegrain (Maksutov) - $749 at Explore Scientific

$1000-$2000 Cassegrain for DSO Imaging

1. Celestron EdgeHD 8 (Aplanatic SCT) - $1599 at HighPoint
2. Apertura/GSO/TPO/Orion/AstroTech 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien - 4.5 stars
   • iOptron Photron 8" (Ritchey-Chretien) - 4.5 stars
3. Celestron 700 Maksutov (Maksutov), Sky-Watcher Skymax 180 (Maksutov), Orion 7" Maksutov (Maksutov) - Partially Recommended
4. Celestron C8 XLT (SCT), Meade 8" ACF (Aplanatic SCT) - Not Recommended

$2000 Cassegrain for DSO Imaging

1. Celestron RASA 800 (Schmidt Camera) - $2999 at HighPoint
2. Celestron C9.25 EdgeHD (Aplanatic SCT) - $2999 at HighPoint
3. Meade 10" f/8 ACF (Aplanatic SCT) - $3299.99 at HighPoint
4. Apertura/GSO/TPO/Orion/ AstroTech 10" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien - $3195.95 at HighPoint

Cassegrains for Planetary Imaging Rankings

Under $1000

1. iOptron 150mm Maksutov Cassegrain (Maksutov) - $848 at HighPoint
2. Explore Scientific FirstLight 127mm Mak-Cassegrain (Maksutov) - $749 at Explore Scientific
3. GSO/AstroTech 6" Classical Cassegrain - $599 at AgenaAstro
4. Meade 6" ACF (Aplanatic SCT) - $839.95 at AgenaAstro
5. Sky-Watcher Skymax 127 (Maksutov) - $880 at HighPoint
6. Orion Apex 127 (Maksutov) - $880 at HighPoint
7. Apertura/GSO/TPO/AstroTech 6' f/9 Ritchey-Chretien - $839.95 at AgenaAstro

$1000-$2000 Cassegrains for Planetary Imaging

1. Celestron C9.25 XLT (SCT) - $1899.95 at AgenaAstro
2. GSO/AstroTech 8" Classical Cassegrain - $1099 at AgenaAstro
3. Celestron 700 Maksutov (Maksutov), Sky-Watcher Skymax 180 (Maksutov), Orion 7" Maksutov (Maksutov) - $1500 at HighPoint
4. Celestron EdgeHD 8 (Aplanatic SCT) - $1599 at HighPoint
5. Celestron C8 XLT (SCT) - $1349.95 at AgenaAstro
6. Meade 8" ACF (Aplanatic SCT) - $1349.95 at AgenaAstro
7. Apertura/GSO/TPO/Orion/AstroTech 8" f/8 Carbon Fiber Ritchey-Chretien - 3.9 stars
8. Apertura/GSO/TPO/Orion/AstroTech 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien - 3.9 stars
9. iOptron Photron 8" (Ritchey-Chretien) - 3.9 stars

$2000+ Planetary Imaging Cassegrains

1. Celestron C11 XLT (SCT) - $3199.95 at AgenaAstro
2. Celestron C9.25 EdgeHD (Aplanatic SCT) - $2999 at HighPoint
3. Meade 10" f/8 ACF (Aplanatic SCT) - $3299.99 at HighPoint
4. Vixen VC200L (Classical Cassegrain) - $2349.99 at AgenaAstro

Armed with this knowledge, you're ready to take your deep-sky or planetary imaging to the next level! Happy hunting, sky adventurers! 🚀🌟

1. In the realm of advanced astronomy and space-and-astronomy gadgets, Cassegrain telescopes offer an exceptional field of view for both deep-sky and planetary imaging.
2. Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes (SCTs) are renowned for their versatility and cost-effectiveness, able to be adjusted for faster speeds using a thread-on reducer or convert to f/2 Schmidt cameras with the Starizona HyperStar system.
3. One of the popular types of Cassegrains, SCTs, have a less-than-sharp outer field of view by default, necessitating a reducer-flattener for deeper-sky imaging and better performance.
4. Aplanatic SCT designs, such as the Celestron EdgeHD and Meade ACF, offer improved performance for deep-sky imaging but have little difference in planetary performance compared to regular SCTs.
5. Ritchey-Chretien telescopes are known for their sharper and flatter field of view and large image circle, making them more suited for deep-sky imaging, although they can be challenging to collimate.
6. Classical Cassegrain telescopes aren't intentionally designed for deep-sky imaging, but some can be used for it, like Vixen's VC and VMC telescopes, which use small corrector lenses for improved performance.
7. Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes should generally be avoided for deep-sky imaging but are outstanding for planetary imaging due to minimal collimation requirements.
8. Whether you're a beginner or an expert in environmental-science and astronomy, the right Cassegrain telescope can help you unlock the secrets of the universe and uncover remarkable sights within our solar system and beyond, all thanks to innovative technology and artificial-intelligence gadgets.

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