telescopecomparison · 2-way
Takahashi FC-100DL vs Takahashi Epsilon-180ED
Takahashi
FC-100DL
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a portable travel rig.
Takahashi
Epsilon-180ED
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a permanent observatory setup.
Key differences
+80% focal length
-44% aperture
Slower by 6.2 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Takahashi FC-100DL | Takahashi Epsilon-180ED |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | refractor | astrograph |
| Optical design | Apo doublet fluorite | Hyperbolic Newtonian |
| Aperture | 100mm | 180mm |
| Focal length | 900mm | 500mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/9.0 | f/2.8 |
| Image circle | 44mm | 44mm |
| Full-frame support | No | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 3.3kg | 12.5kg |
Advantages of Takahashi FC-100DL
- Tighter framing — 900mm vs 500mm focal length
- Lighter (3.3kg vs 12.5kg) — easier to travel with
Advantages of Takahashi Epsilon-180ED
- Wider field — 500mm vs 900mm focal length
- 80% more light-gathering aperture
- Faster optics at f/2.8 vs f/9
Best for — Takahashi FC-100DL
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- High-resolution long-exposure work
Best for — Takahashi Epsilon-180ED
- Large emission nebulae and star clusters
- Fast imaging — short exposures per sub
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Takahashi FC-100DL — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.29° × 1.53°Scale: 0.86"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.50° × 1.00°Scale: 0.86"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.72° × 0.72°Scale: 0.86"/px
Takahashi Epsilon-180ED — 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
Takahashi FC-100DL — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a portable travel rig.
Takahashi Epsilon-180ED — recommended user
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a permanent observatory setup.