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telescopecomparison · 2-way

Askar FRA400 vs Askar FRA500

Askar FRA400
Askar

FRA400

Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a portable travel rig.

Askar FRA500
Askar

FRA500

Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a backyard imaging setup.

Key differences

-20% focal length
-20% aperture

Specifications

SpecificationAskar FRA400Askar FRA500
Optics
TypeRefractorRefractor
Optical designPetzval Quintuplet APOPetzval Quintuplet APO
Aperture72mm90mm
Focal length400mm500mm
Native f/ratiof/5.6f/5.6
Image circle44mm60mm
Full-frame supportYesYes
Physical
Weight3.9kg5.4kg
Advantages of Askar FRA400
  • Wider field — 400mm vs 500mm focal length
  • Lighter (3.9kg vs 5.4kg) — easier to travel with
Advantages of Askar FRA500
  • Tighter framing — 500mm vs 400mm focal length
  • 25% more light-gathering aperture
  • Larger image circle (60mm) — supports bigger sensors
Best for — Askar FRA400
  • Large emission nebulae and star clusters
  • Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — Askar FRA500
  • Large emission nebulae and star clusters
  • Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Askar FRA400 — typical FOV & scale
  • With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 5.16° × 3.44°Scale: 1.94"/px
  • With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 3.37° × 2.25°Scale: 1.94"/px
  • With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 1.62° × 1.62°Scale: 1.94"/px
Askar FRA500 — typical FOV & scale
  • With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 4.13° × 2.75°Scale: 1.55"/px
  • With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 2.69° × 1.80°Scale: 1.55"/px
  • With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 1.29° × 1.29°Scale: 1.55"/px
Askar FRA400 — recommended user

Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a portable travel rig.

Askar FRA500 — recommended user

Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a backyard imaging setup.

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