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telescopecomparison · 2-way

Radian Raptor 61 vs William Optics Zenithstar 61 II

Radian Raptor 61
Radian

Raptor 61

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

William Optics Zenithstar 61 II
William Optics

Zenithstar 61 II

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

Key differences

-24% focal length
Faster by 1.4 f-stops

Specifications

SpecificationRadian Raptor 61William Optics Zenithstar 61 II
Optics
Typerefractorrefractor
Optical designPetzval quadrupletApo doublet FPL-53
Aperture61mm61mm
Focal length275mm360mm
Native f/ratiof/4.5f/5.9
Image circle44mm44mm
Full-frame supportNoNo
Physical
Weight2.6kg1.9kg
Advantages of Radian Raptor 61
  • Wider field — 275mm vs 360mm focal length
  • Faster optics at f/4.5 vs f/5.9
Advantages of William Optics Zenithstar 61 II
  • Tighter framing — 360mm vs 275mm focal length
  • Lighter (1.9kg vs 2.6kg) — easier to travel with
Best for — Radian Raptor 61
  • Wide-field nebulae and Milky Way regions
  • Fast imaging — short exposures per sub
Best for — William Optics Zenithstar 61 II
  • Large emission nebulae and star clusters
Radian Raptor 61 — typical FOV & scale
  • With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 7.50° × 5.00°Scale: 2.82"/px
  • With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 4.90° × 3.27°Scale: 2.82"/px
  • With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 2.35° × 2.35°Scale: 2.82"/px
William Optics Zenithstar 61 II — typical FOV & scale
  • With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 5.73° × 3.82°Scale: 2.15"/px
  • With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 3.74° × 2.50°Scale: 2.15"/px
  • With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 1.80° × 1.80°Scale: 2.15"/px
Radian Raptor 61 — recommended user

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

William Optics Zenithstar 61 II — recommended user

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

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