telescopecomparison · 2-way
Takahashi TSA-120 vs Takahashi Mewlon-210
Takahashi
TSA-120
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Takahashi
Mewlon-210
Best suited for experienced imagers chasing detail running a permanent observatory setup.
Key differences
-63% focal length
-43% aperture
Faster by 4.0 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Takahashi TSA-120 | Takahashi Mewlon-210 |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | Refractor | cassegrain |
| Optical design | Triplet APO | Dall-Kirkham |
| Aperture | 120mm | 210mm |
| Focal length | 900mm | 2415mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/7.5 | f/11.5 |
| Image circle | 44mm | — |
| Full-frame support | Yes | No |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 7.5kg | 15.5kg |
Advantages of Takahashi TSA-120
- Wider field — 900mm vs 2415mm focal length
- Faster optics at f/7.5 vs f/11.5
- Larger image circle (44mm) — supports bigger sensors
- Lighter (7.5kg vs 15.5kg) — easier to travel with
Advantages of Takahashi Mewlon-210
- Tighter framing — 2415mm vs 900mm focal length
- 75% more light-gathering aperture
Best for — Takahashi TSA-120
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — Takahashi Mewlon-210
- Small galaxies, planetary nebulae, lunar & planetary detail
- High-resolution long-exposure work
- Faint-object imaging under dark skies
Takahashi TSA-120 — 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 Mewlon-210 — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.85° × 0.57°Scale: 0.32"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.56° × 0.37°Scale: 0.32"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.27° × 0.27°Scale: 0.32"/px
Takahashi TSA-120 — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Takahashi Mewlon-210 — recommended user
Best suited for experienced imagers chasing detail running a permanent observatory setup.