telescopecomparison · 2-way
Takahashi FC-100DZ vs Takahashi Epsilon-180ED
Takahashi
FC-100DZ
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
+60% focal length
-44% aperture
Slower by 5.2 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Takahashi FC-100DZ | Takahashi Epsilon-180ED |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | refractor | astrograph |
| Optical design | Apo doublet fluorite | Hyperbolic Newtonian |
| Aperture | 100mm | 180mm |
| Focal length | 800mm | 500mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/8.0 | f/2.8 |
| Image circle | 44mm | 44mm |
| Full-frame support | No | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 3.3kg | 12.5kg |
Advantages of Takahashi FC-100DZ
- Tighter framing — 800mm vs 500mm focal length
- Lighter (3.3kg vs 12.5kg) — easier to travel with
Advantages of Takahashi Epsilon-180ED
- Wider field — 500mm vs 800mm focal length
- 80% more light-gathering aperture
- Faster optics at f/2.8 vs f/8
Best for — Takahashi FC-100DZ
- 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-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
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-100DZ — 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.