Sky-Watcher Esprit 80 ED APO Refractor

The Sky-Watcher Esprit 80 ED APO Refractor is a premium telescope designed for both amateur and professional astrophotographers who demand the highest quality in their imaging equipment. This telescope is renowned for its exceptional optical performance, robust build quality, and user-friendly features, making it a top choice for capturing stunning images of the night sky.

Optical Excellence

At the heart of the Sky-Watcher Esprit 80 ED APO Refractor is its apochromatic refractor design, which utilizes a three-element, air-spaced objective lens. This design significantly reduces chromatic aberration, resulting in images with outstanding color correction and sharpness. The 80mm aperture, combined with a focal length of 400mm and a fast focal ratio of f/5, provides a wide field of view, perfect for capturing expansive celestial objects such as nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies.

The lenses are fully multi-coated with Sky-Watcher’s proprietary Metallic High-Transmission Coatings (MHTC)™, which enhance light transmission and minimize reflections. This ensures that the maximum amount of light reaches your camera sensor, producing bright and clear images with high contrast and minimal ghosting.

Precision Focusing

Achieving precise focus is crucial in astrophotography, and the Sky-Watcher Esprit 80 ED APO Refractor excels in this area with its 2.7-inch dual-speed rack-and-pinion focuser. The focuser features a Helinear track, which provides smooth and accurate focusing adjustments. The dual-speed mechanism allows for both coarse and fine focusing, enabling you to achieve perfect focus with ease, even when making minute adjustments.

Field Flattener

One of the standout features of the Esprit 80 ED is the included 2-element threaded field flattener. This accessory is essential for astrophotographers as it corrects edge distortion, ensuring that stars remain pin-sharp across the entire field of view. The field flattener is designed to work seamlessly with the telescope, providing a flat and even image plane that is ideal for capturing wide-field astrophotography images.

Robust Build Quality

The Sky-Watcher Esprit 80 ED APO Refractor is built to last, with a tube made from rolled steel and finished with a glossy white coating. This construction not only provides durability but also adds a touch of elegance to the telescope’s appearance. The telescope is designed to withstand the rigors of frequent use and transportation, making it a reliable companion for your stargazing adventures.

Included Accessories

Sky-Watcher has thoughtfully included a range of accessories with the Esprit 80 ED to enhance your observing and imaging experience. The package includes an 8×50 right-angle finderscope, which helps you easily locate and center objects in the night sky. The 2-inch dielectric diagonal provides a comfortable viewing angle and ensures maximum light transmission for bright and clear views.

For astrophotographers, the M48 camera adapter is a valuable addition, allowing you to attach your DSLR or dedicated astronomy camera directly to the telescope. The V-style mounting foot ensures compatibility with a wide range of mounts and tripods, providing stability and ease of use. To protect your investment, the telescope comes with a padded hard case, which offers secure storage and transportation.

Versatility and Portability

The compact size and lightweight design of the Esprit 80 ED make it highly portable, allowing you to take it to your favorite dark-sky locations with ease. Weighing approximately 3.97 kg for the tube, it is easy to handle and set up, making it an excellent choice for both backyard astronomy and remote imaging sessions.

Performance in the Field

The Sky-Watcher Esprit 80 ED APO Refractor has garnered praise from the astrophotography community for its exceptional performance in the field. Users have reported capturing breathtaking images with remarkable detail and clarity, thanks to the telescope’s high-quality optics and precise focusing capabilities. The fast focal ratio of f/5 allows for shorter exposure times, reducing the risk of tracking errors and making it easier to capture sharp images.

Ideal for Astrophotography

Whether you are a seasoned astrophotographer or just starting out, the Esprit 80 ED is designed to meet your needs. Its wide field of view and excellent color correction make it ideal for capturing a variety of celestial objects, from wide-field shots of the Milky Way to detailed images of individual nebulae and star clusters. The included field flattener ensures that your images are sharp from edge to edge, while the dual-speed focuser allows for precise adjustments to achieve perfect focus.

In summary, the Sky-Watcher Esprit 80 ED APO Refractor is a top-tier telescope that offers exceptional optical performance, robust build quality, and a range of user-friendly features. Its apochromatic design, fully multi-coated lenses, and included field flattener make it an excellent choice for astrophotographers who demand the best in their imaging equipment. With its precision focuser, versatile accessories, and portable design, the Esprit 80 ED is a reliable and powerful tool for exploring the wonders of the night sky.