Just imagine! High resolution images are yours when you do astrophotography with this huge 12″ Quattro Imaging Newtonian! With super fast f/4 optics you’ll achieve a wide field of view to match even full frame sensors, and you’ll be able to take shorter exposures, too. In fact, f/4 optical systems capture images six times faster than those with a focal ratio of f/10!
Easy to use for fast results
The Sky-Watcher 12” Quattro Newtonian is the perfect telescope for visual observers who enjoy the extra light-gathering and striking wide field of view as well as for astrophotographers of all levels,. A Newtonian reflector is streamlined and simple, and because it isn’t as complicated as a Schmidt-Cassegrain or Maksutov, you’ll enjoy more aperture and resolution for the money.
The primary and secondary borosilicate mirrors in the f/4, 1200mm focal length Quattro Imaging Newtonian are fully multi-coated and offer 94% reflectivity. The interior of the metal optical tube is painted black to keep exterior reflections from making their way inside the telescope.
Dual-speed 10:1 linear power focuser
If you’ve ever focused a telescope, you’ll know how important the focuser is to the quality of your observing experience. For astrophotography, focusing is even more important. To be successful, an astro-imager needs a sturdy focuser with the ability to fine focus, and one that is strong enough to hold their camera without flexing. The Sky-Watcher 12” Quattro reflector has a 2” dual speed linear track focuser, and it comes with a 2” to 1.25” adapter so you can use both 1.25” and 2” eyepieces, nosepieces, and other accessories. Make larger changes to focus with the course focus knob, and then zero in precisely on your subject with the fine focus knob. It takes ten turns of the fine focus dial to equal just one turn of the course focus, so that should give you an idea of just how meticulously you can focus with this imaging system.
Losmandy-style dovetail attaches to a wide range of mounts
In order to be a successful astrophotographer, you will need to mount your 12” Quattro on a heavy-duty mount. The 12” Quattro optical tube assembly weighs approximately 40 pounds, so choose a mount that has a weight capacity of at least 45 – 50 pounds to cover the weight of your accessories. This telescope comes with a D-style—also known as a Losmandy style—dovetail, which means it will slide into any mount with a Losmandy or Dual Losmandy/Vixen saddle plate. Two metal cradle rings slide around the Quattro OTA and attach to the D-series dovetail for a solid connection. It is easy to take the optical tube assembly off of the mount without removing the tube rings, since they open and close like a clamshell and secure together with a large knurl-headed bolt.
Also included is an 8×50 straight through finderscope and bracket. The bracket slides onto a finder foot that is bolted to the OTA, making it easy to slide on and off between observing sessions.
Optional Coma Corrector available
Sky-Watcher makes an accessory for the Quattro line that will correct the comet-like appearance of stars along the edge of the field that is typical of parabolic mirrors used in Newtonian telescopes. The four-element ED corrector is optimized for use with all Quattro Imaging Newtonians. It is made with fluorite and Schott glass, and can handle full frame sensors.