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INSTRUCTION MANUAL
ESPRIT 150 ED Super APO
Copyright © Sky-Watcher
SL131119
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Table of contents
Table of Contents
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 2
Getting started ................................................................................................................................... 3
Parts description .................................................................................................................................. 3
Unpacking the telescope ...................................................................................................................... 3
Preparing the telescope for an observation .......................................................................................... 4
Cooling the telescope .......................................................................................................................... 4
Aligning the finder scope .................................................................................................................... 5
Using the telescope for visual observation ............................................................................ 6
Inserting the eyepiece .......................................................................................................................... 6
Focusing .............................................................................................................................................. 6
Using the telescope for prime focus imaging ....................................................................... 7
Installing the field flattener and a DSLR (Digital Single-Lens Reflex) camera .................................. 7
Installing a 48mm filter inside the focal extender ............................................................................... 8
Installing the field flattener and a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) camera ........................................ 8
Installing the field flattener and a CCD camera - continued ............................................................... 9
Focusing .............................................................................................................................................. 9
Framing the picture ............................................................................................................................. 9
Useful tips for all observations ................................................................................................ 10
Removing the finder scope ................................................................................................................ 10
Using the indexed scale ..................................................................................................................... 10
Rotating the focuser........................................................................................................................... 10
Specifications .................................................................................................................................. 11
Telescope specifications .................................................................................................................... 11
Threads specifications ....................................................................................................................... 11
Different releases : Case and Accessory box....................................................................... 12
Different releases: The Helinear Focuser ............................................................................ 13
Focusing with the Helinear focuser ................................................................................................... 13
Before doing prime focus imaging .................................................................................................... 13
Framing a picture with the Helinear focuser ..................................................................................... 13
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Introduction
The spirit of perfection, by Sky-Watcher
Designed with the discerning astronomer in mind, Sky-Watcher top-of-the-line Esprit refractors
deliver the kind of imaging performance one would expect from telescopes costing much more. With
their three-element air spaced objective lens design, false color is completely eliminated, yielding
exceptional contrast and sharpness.
The 3" CNC machined 1:11 rotatable dual speed linear power focuser provides a smooth, rock-solid
focusing with zero image shifts. The Esprit ED 150mm refractor comes with a 9 x 50 right angle
finder scope, 2-inch Star diagonal, D-style dovetail, retractable dew cap and padded case. Everything
you need to get out under the stars.
The 2-element thread-on 48mm field flattener guarantees excellent field flatness across the entire 44
mm imaging plane. Its oversized lenses ensure a larger and clearer aperture and also extremely
minimized halation.
Quick overview:
• 150 mm apochromatic, 3-element refractor
• 1050 mm (f/7)
• Metallic high-transm issio n lens coa ting s
• 3" CNC machined 1:11 dual-speed focuser
• Zero color fringing even on bright objects
• 44 mm image circle
• Knife-edge Baffled Optical System
• 2" Diagonal with dielectric coatings
• 9x50 erect-image 90° finder scope
• Tube rings with dovetail D (Losmandy style) bar
• Aluminum foam lined case
• Full frame corrected focal plane
• Thread-on field flattener
NEVER USE YOUR TELESCOPE TO LOOK DIRECTLY AT
THE SUN. PERMANENT EYE DAMAGE WILL RESULT.
NEVER USE AN EYEPIECE-TYPE SOLAR FILTER.
NEVER USE YOUR TELESCOPE TO PROJECT SUNLIGHT
ONTO ANOTHER SURFACE; THE INTERNAL HEAT BUILDUP WILL DAMAGE THE TELESCOPE OPTICAL ELEMENTS.
USE A PROPER SOLAR FILTER FIRMLY MOUNTED ON THE
FRONT OF THE TELESCOPE FOR VIEWING THE SUN.
WHEN OBSERVING THE SUN, PLACE A DUST CAP OVER
YOUR FINDERSCOPE OR REMOVE IT TO PROTECT YOU
FROM ACCIDENTAL EXPOSURE.
NEVER LET A TELESCOPE POINTING THE SUN
UNATTENDED.
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Getting started
Parts descript ion
1. Retractable dew cap
2. Tube rings
3. D (Losmandy) dovetail bar
4. 9x50 erect-image 90° finder
scope
5. 3" 1:11 dual-speed focuser
6. 2" dielectric diagonal
7. 2" eyepiece f= 28mm
Unpacking the telescope
Your telescope is inside the sturdy aluminum padded
case, designed to securely carry the telescope and the
tube rings. The case has two castors on one side to
facilitate transport.
The case contains and protects the telescope and its accessories. Once open you will find:
1. The telescope with dew cap retracted.
2. The 9x50 erect-
image finder scope
with tube rings and mount.
3. The 2" (50.8mm) diagonal.
4. The 2-element thread-on field flattener
(used for photography only),
guarantees excellent field flatness
across
the entire 44 mm imaging
plane, allowing picturing the sky wit h
large sensors.
5. Fie ld flatt ener extender tube for DSLR
camera, used to place the camera
exactly on the corrected focal plane.
6. 2" eyepiece, f= 28mm.
7. Thread-on field flattener adaptor, used
to install the field flattener
on the
focuser's drawtube.
Some parts may be optional,
depending on the dealer's
country.
Please check with him if any
doubt.
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Preparing the telescope for an obs erv a ti on
A
. Upon delivery, and when not used, the
telescope and its accessories are inside the
aluminum padded
case. Unpack the
telescope
and assemble it to your mount
using the included D (Losmandy style)
dovetail bar. Please refer to your mount
manual to properly install the telescope.
B. To extend the dew cap unscrew the two
screws on the aluminum ring (1)
, then
gentle pull the dew cap forward (2). When
in position, tighten
the two screws to
ensure the dew cap stays in position (3).
C. The 9x50 erect-image finder scope is a
small fixed magnification scope mounted
on the optical tube. When it is correctly
aligned with the telescope, objects can be
quickly located and brought into the field
of telescope (see also "Aligning the finder
scope" chapter, on next page)
To
install the finder scope on the telescope
insert the positive dovetail of the finder
scope support inside the negative dovetail
mounted on the focuser, as shown in
picture.
Cooling the telescope
Telescopes require time to cool down to outside air temperature. This may take longer if there is a big
difference between the temperature of the telescope and the outside air. This minimizes heat wave
distortion inside telescope tube (tube currents). Your telescope would require at least 30 minutes
cooling off to outside conditions. Tip: use this time for planning your session and mount accessories.
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Aligning the fin der s co pe
The 9x50 erect-image finder scope is a small fixed magnification scope mounted on the optical tube.
When it is correctly aligned with the telescope, objects can be quickly located and brought to the
center of the field.
The alignment should be done at first use and over time if the alignment is no more accurate.
Alignment is best done outdoors in day light when it's easier to locate objects
If it is necessary to refocus your finder scope, sight on an object that is
at least 500 meters (or yards) away. Loosen the locking ring by
unscrewing it back towards the bracket. The front lens holder can now
be turned in and out to focus. When focus is reached, lock it in position
with the locking ring
Choose a distant object that is at least 500 meters (or yards) away and
point the main telescope at the object. Adjust the telescope so that the
object is in the center of the view in your eyepiece.
If you are using the star diagonal the image will be left/right
inverted, like images in a mirror.
Having an erected image, the view you have in the finder
scope has the same orientation as the landscape.
Check the finder scope to see if the object, center ed in the
main telescope view, is centered on the crosshairs.
If not
unscrew the three blocking rings on the rear ring, then adjust
the three small screws to center the finder scope.
Do not over tighten the screws
when aligning the finder
scope. When the finder scope is correctly oriented, screw the
three blocking rings in position.
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Using the telescope f or visual observation
Inserting the eyepiece
• Loosen the two thumbscrews (1)
on the end of the focuser tube.
• Insert the 2" diagonal (2) into t he
focus tube and re-
tighten the
thumbscrews (1)
to hold the
diagonal in place.
• Loosen the diagonal's screw (3).
• For 2" eyepieces (4a)
, insert it
into the diagonal and secure it by
re-tightening the thumbscrew (3).
•
For 1.25" eyepieces first insert
the 2" to 1.25" adapter (4b) into
the diagonal and secure by retightening the screw (3). Loosen
the adapter's screw (5) and insert
the 1.25" eyepiece (6) inside t he
adapter ring, then secure it by re-
tightening the screw (5).
Focusing
• Make sure the locking lever below the focuser (1) is
unlocked (position as shown in picture).
• Slowly turn the focus knobs (2) one way or the other,
until the image in the eyepiece is nearly sharp.
• To finely focus the image turn the 1:11 knob one way or
the other until the image is perfectly sharp (3).
• Lock the screw below the focuser (1) if a heavy load is
attached (pull the lever at 90°).
The image usually has to be finely refocused over time, due
to small variations caused by temperature changes. This
often happens when the telescope has not yet reached
outside temperature.
Refocusing is almost always necessary when you change an
eyepiece.
When looking through a diagonal, the image
is inverted left to right, as an image in a
mirror. This is normal and has no incidence
for astronomical observations.
If you plan to do terrestrial observation often, like bird
watching, optional image-erecting devices such as the
Amici prism or the erected 90° diagonal may be the right
tool.
Your reseller will be glad to advise you about the best
optional part that can be used with your telescope.
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Using the telescope f or prime focus imaging
Before installing the field flattener
onto the drawtube of the
focuser, the 2" ring adaptor (2)
needs to be unscrewed and
removed.
In order to easily unscrew the ring, hold with one hand the ring (1)
at the end of the drawtube and then unscrew the 2" ring adaptor
(2) with the other hand.
The Sky-Watcher ESPRIT 150 Field flattener
has been specifically designed for your
telescope. It guarantees excellent field flatness across
the entire 44 mm imaging plane
and ensures full illumination with extremely minimized halation and zero color fringing
even on bright objects.
No "universal" field flattener
available on the mar k e t wil l de li ve r the premium results
achieved with the Sky-Watcher ESPRIT 150 Fie ld fla tte n e r.
The Sky-Watcher ESPRIT 150 Field flattener is not compatible with other telescopes,
even refractors with the same aperture and same focal length.
Installing the field flattener and a DSLR (Digital Single-Lens Reflex) camera
1. Screw the drawtube adaptor (1) at
the end of the focus tube.
2.
Screw the field flattener (2) onto
the drawtube adaptor (1).
3.
Screw the extender tube (3) onto
the field flattene r (2).
4.
Screw the enlarged 48mm T-Ring
(4) onto the extender tube (3).
The enlarged 48mm TRing may not be included
with your telescope and
should match your DSLR
camera's manufacturer and
model. Please check with
your reseller to get the
correct 48mm Enlarged T-
Ring for your DSLR
camera.
5. Install your DSLR camera on the
48mm enlarged T-Ring (4).
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In order to get the premium results the field flattener for
ESPRIT 150 can deliver the distance between the last
lenses
to the sensor should be exactly 100mm. This
distance is called the field f latten er "back focus".
The rings are designed to provide 100mm of back focus
with any DSLR camera. Modifications to this layout, i.e.
by adding a radial guider, will lead to blurry stars images
in the field edges.
Installing a 48mm filter inside the focal extender
A 48mm (2") filter can be mounted inside the DSLR extender tube if
needed. By example using a light pollution reducer filter may allow pictures
of the night sky even in suburban areas.
1. Inside the focal extender a 48x0.75 mm thread ca
n receive any
48mm (2") filter.
2. Insert the filter and screw it on the thread. Do not over tight the
filter.
Use a tissue when screwing the filter to avoid fingerprints.
Installing the field flattener and a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) camera
Installing an astronomical CCD camera and its accessories (filter wheel, radial guider…) behind the
field flattener is not as straightforward as installing a DSLR camera. All DSLR cameras have the exact
same distance from the border of the T-Ring adapter to the sensor, thus share the same extension rings
to ensure the 100mm back focus distance.
CCD cameras differ from one model to another, even in the same brand name, by the threads used and
the body-to-sensor distance. Accessories also have different possible threads and depths, thus the
combination of a CCD camera and its accessories can have any total length and any coupling thread.
A custom coupling ring is needed in order to assemble the CCD camera and its accessories (called the
"optical train ") to the telescope's field flattener. The custom ring should be machined
*
to have:
1) A female M62x1 thread, to screw and secure the ring to the field flattener exit.
2) A thread compatible with the first component of the optical train.
3) A length to ensure that the distance from the last lenses of the field flattener to the CCD
sensor is exactly 100mm.
As it can be difficult to evaluate the position
of the field flattener lenses inside the frame,
the distance can be more conveniently
measured from the lenses mount edge, as
shown in the picture on the left.
From there to the sensor, the correct distance
should be exactly 96mm.
Most CCD cameras have also the distance
from their body thread to CCD sensor noted
in the manual, thus evaluating the length of
the custom ring you need can be precisely
evaluated.
*
Refer to your local dealer about custom ring supply.
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Installing the field flattener and a CCD camera - continued
1.
Screw the drawtube adaptor (1) at the
end of the focus tube.
2.
Screw the field flattener (2) onto the
drawtube adaptor (1).
3.
Screw the custom ring (3) onto the
field flattene r (2).
The custom ring needs to be
sturdy enough to secure the
optical train to the field
flattener.
4.
Screw your optical train to the custom
ring (3).
Focusing
• Make sure the locking lever below the focuser (1) is
unlocked (position as shown in picture).
• Slowly turn the focus knobs (2) one way or the other,
until the image in the eyepiece is nearly sharp.
• To finely focus the image turn the 1:11 knob one way or
the other until the image is perfectly sharp (3).
• Lock the screw below the focuser (1) if a heavy load is
attached (pull the lever at 90°).
The image usually has to be finely refocused over time, due
to small variations caused by temperature changes. This
often happens when the telescope has not yet reached
outside temperature.
Framing the picture
When the object you want to picture is in the middle of the circular 44mm field, most often its
orientation on the rectangular camera sensor is not what you expected (figure A). You can easily
reframe the picture on the camera sensor by unscrewing the blocking ring (1) at the end of the focuser
drawtube, then turning the adapter ring (2) with all the optical train until the framing suits your needs
(figure B). When done screw the ring (1) to lock position, and you are ready to picture the sky.
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Useful tips for all observations
Removing the finder sco pe
During an observation, when the desired target is acquired, it
is possible to remove the finder scope from its support. When
needed the finder scope can be inserted again.
This can be useful when the observer's head is in a position
where the finder scope becomes an obstacle to observation.
Using the indexed scale
The indexed scale on the focuser drawtube gives an accurate
indication on the focus position for various accessories.
Once the position for one accessory is known it is very easy to
approximate the focus position.
Due to the precision needed to reach perfect focus a fine
tuning is advised.
Rotating the focuser
The whole focuser body can be rotated. It is useful when the
focuser knobs aren't in a convenient position.
1. Remove all accessories from the focuser.
2. Fully retract the drawtube inside the focuser body.
3. Unscrew the "boat wheel" like large aluminum ring.
4. Rotate the focuser body.
5. Tight back the "boat wheel" like large aluminum ring.
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Specifications
Telescope spe cif ic at i ons
Optical Design
Refractor (air-spaced triplet APO)
Field Flattener
Thread-on (2 lenses)
Aperture (mm)
150 mm (5.9 in)
Focal Length
1050 mm (41 in)
Focal Ratio
7
Finderscope
9x50, erect-image, right-angle
Diagonal
2" dielectric coatings
Tube Rings
With 3" (D Style) dovetail plate
Highest Useful Magnification
354 x
Lowest Useful Magnification
21 x
Limiting Stellar Magnitude
13.4
Resolution (Rayleigh)
0.93 arc seconds
Resolution (Dawes)
0.77 arc seconds
Light Gathering Power (Compared to Human Eye)
459 x
Optical Coatings
Fully multi-coated
Fully Illuminated Field With Field Flattener
44 mm (1.7 in)
Optical Tube Length (Retracted Dew Cap)
92 cm (36 in)
Optical Tube Weight
15 kg (32 lbs)
Telescope Visual Backfocus∗
>170mm (6.7 in)
Field Flattener Backfocus**
96mm (3.8 in)
Threads specifications
Rings/
Threads
Focuser
Tube
Drawtube
Adatpor
Field
Flattener
DSLRl
Ext. Tube
Enlarged
T-Ring
In Ø
n/a
M74x1 F.
M65x1 F.
M62x1 F.
M48x0.75 F.
In screw depth
n/a
7 mm
7.5 mm
8.5 mm
variable
Out Ø
M74 x1 M
M65x1 M.
M62x1 M.
M48x0.75 M
Camera
Out screw depth
6 mm
6 mm
6 mm
6 mm
n/a
∗
The visual back focus of the telescope is the distance from the end of the focuser tube (with 2’’ adapter
installed) to the focal plane. This means, all accessories needing 170mm back focus or less can be installed.
**
The back focus of the field flatte ner is the distance from the back of the field flattener (flat surface at the exit)
to the focal p lane. To obtain flat wide field image s, the sensor should be positioned at exactly (+-1mm) this
distance. See also detailed explanations on bottom of page 8.
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Different releases∗: Case and Accessory box
Some of the first ESPRIT 150 series are delivered with a different case and accessory box.
Your telescope is inside the sturdy aluminum
padded case, designed to securely carry the
telescope and the tube rings.
The accessory box contains the following parts:
1.
The 2" (50.8mm) diagonal with dielectric
coating.
2. The 9x50 erect-
image finder scope with tube
rings and mount.
3. The 2-element thread-on field flattener
, used
for photography only, guarantees excellent
field flatness across the entire 44 mm imaging
plane, allowing picturing the sky with large
sensors.
4. Thread-on field flattener
adaptor, used to
install the field flattener
on the focuser's
drawtube.
5. Field flattener
extender tube for DSLR
camera, used to place the camera
exactly on
the corrected focal plane.
6. 2" eyepiece f= 28mm
Some parts may be optional,
depending on the dealer's country.
Please check with him if any doubt.
∗
Sky-Watcher offers this prod uct with the best available quality i n accordance with the legislation o f the local
market. This can lead to small differences over time and depending on the area of sale in the world. These
differences do not influence the overall quality which is of the high standard guaranteed by Sky-Watcher
worldwide.
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Different releases: The Helinear Focuser
Some of the ESPRIT 150 series are delivered with a different focuser: the Helinear focuser.
Focusing with the Helinear focuser
• Unlock the locking screw below the focuser (1).
• Slowly turn the focus knobs (2) one way or the other,
until the image on the eyepiece or the camera sensor is
nearly sharp.
• To finely focus the image turn the 1:11 knob one way or
the other until the image is perfectly sharp (3).
• Lock the screw below the focuser (1).
The image usually has to be finely refocused over time, due
to small variations caused by temperature changes.
Before doing pri me f ocu s i magin g
Before installing the field flattener onto the drawtube of the Helinear
focuser, the 2" ring adaptor (2) needs to be unscrewed and removed.
In order to easily unscrew the ring, the blocking thumbscrew (1) at the
end of the drawtube needs to be tight to lock the rotating end cap.
Framing a picture with the Helinear focuser
When the object you want to picture is in the middle of the circular 44mm field, most often its
orientation on the rectangular camera sensor is not what you expected (figure A). You can easily
reframe the picture on the camera sensor by unlocking the thumbscrew at the end of the focuser
drawtube and turning all the optical train until the framing suits your needs (figure B). When done
relock the thumbscrew, and you are ready to picture the sky.
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We want to ensure that your experience with a Sky-Watcher
product is the best it can be. To make that happen we have a
comprehensive technical and customer support available,
alongside with the list of distributors and dealers worldwide, on
our worldwide internet site:
http://www.skywatcher.com
Sky-Watcher offers this product with the best available quality in
accordance with the legislation of the local market, and reserves the
right to modify or discontinue, without prior notice to you, any model
or style telescope.
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