telescopecomparison · 2-way
Takahashi FC-100DZ vs Explore Scientific ED102 FCD-100
Takahashi
FC-100DZ
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a portable travel rig.
Explore Scientific
ED102 FCD-100
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Key differences
+12% focal length
Slower by 1.0 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Takahashi FC-100DZ | Explore Scientific ED102 FCD-100 |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | refractor | refractor |
| Optical design | Apo doublet fluorite | Apo triplet FCD-100 |
| Aperture | 100mm | 102mm |
| Focal length | 800mm | 714mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/8.0 | f/7.0 |
| Image circle | 44mm | 44mm |
| Full-frame support | No | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 3.3kg | 5.5kg |
Advantages of Takahashi FC-100DZ
- Tighter framing — 800mm vs 714mm focal length
- Lighter (3.3kg vs 5.5kg) — easier to travel with
Advantages of Explore Scientific ED102 FCD-100
- Wider field — 714mm vs 800mm focal length
- Faster optics at f/7 vs f/8
Best for — Takahashi FC-100DZ
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- High-resolution long-exposure work
Best for — Explore Scientific ED102 FCD-100
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Takahashi FC-100DZ — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.58° × 1.72°Scale: 0.97"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.68° × 1.12°Scale: 0.97"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.81° × 0.81°Scale: 0.97"/px
Explore Scientific ED102 FCD-100 — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.89° × 1.93°Scale: 1.09"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.89° × 1.26°Scale: 1.09"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.91° × 0.91°Scale: 1.09"/px
Takahashi FC-100DZ — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a portable travel rig.
Explore Scientific ED102 FCD-100 — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.