Apertura CarbonStar 200 Imaging Newtonian
APS-C Optimized Astrophotography Excellence
Bring superb astrophotography results to your APS-C camera with this premier imaging option from Apertura! With incredible optical performance for more demanding sensors and modern features designed to support them, this telescope allows you to create expressive ethereal landscapes of the cosmic curiosities of our universe with today's excellent mid-sized sensors. Bring the power of CarbonStar to your setup today and make your system shine!
Apertura's CarbonStar line-up is designed with impressive imaging performance in mind, and with this entry in the series you'll realize more aperture, more equipment coverage, with this same superior astrophoto capability. The 200 mm primary mirror has been paired with an f/4 focal ratio design that brings you more light gathering capability than similarly priced refractors, with more speed than most similarly sized catadioptric optic offerings. This 800 mm focal length view gives APS-C sized sensors with medium sized pixels a superb pixel match for excellent image sampling, and a field of view which can create stunning shots of intriguing deep sky objects like the Pleiades and Eagle Nebula. Apertura has outfitted the Apertura CarbonStar 200 Imaging Newtonian with premium features and materials throughout: with enhanced aluminum overcoated borosilicate mirrors that resist thermal effects, a carbon fiber tube, and aluminum end caps which combine to form a sleek 26.5" long and 15.8 lb. form factor, both D and V-style bars included for ultimate mount compatibility, and more that make this imaging Newtonian a powerful pick for your imaging rig!
Building a (Bigger) Better Imaging Newtonian
With this entry in the CarbonStar series, Apertura continues to revitalize the imaging Newtonian concept! With the CarbonStar 200, Apertura has brought large aperture excellence and value to the astrophotography space. Drawing on the principles from their initial foray into modernizing an Imaging Newtonian , this telescope is engineered from the ground up to be a spectacular astrophotography option—featuring the same focal plane shift for added equipment stability, stray light defeating baffles and rear cell cover, modern materials and manufacturing processes, and support for some of today's most popular accessories like electronic focusers. The secondary mirror size was similarly refined, replacing the smaller mirror with one that can pass the 200 mm mirror's peak brightness and bring the CarbonStar Imaging Newtonian performance to the APS-C sensor size. With bright and illumination across this 28 mm field, this scope takes shining micro 4/3 capabilities from the 150 to larger sensor cameras like the renowned ZWO ASI2600 series; which when coupled with other changes like the robust rack and pinion focuser cement this scope as a standout imaging option for astrophotographers using some of the heaviest hitting systems of today. For more information on how Apertura has optimized their CarbonStar Imaging Newtonian line for today's astrophotographer, check out our article Modernizing an Imaging Newtonian!
An Impressive Astro Photo Package
The Apertura CarbonStar 200 Imaging Newtonian combines an optimized optical design with astrophotography focused supporting components for an excellent imaging value package!
Forward Thinking Construction
Blueprinted with today's
astrophotographer in mind, the Apertura CarbonStar 200 Imaging Newtonian
brings the classic photographic Newt design into the modern age. Gone is the
metal tube, replaced with carbon fiber that provides similar rigidity and
robustness—but with less weight and more thermal stability. Capping
this sleek and modern body are CNC machined aluminum ends, which provide
light yet incredibly stiff mountings for the optics. This melding of modern
materials and methods helps hold your critical optical alignment longer to
ensure you can spend more time admiring the incredible images this scope
provides. Apertura didn't stop at functionality either; with the smooth and
modern machining on the rings and end caps anodized red for powerful pop, a
clear matte finishing on the tube to showcase the cutting-edge carbon fiber,
and a bold logo to bring the imaging Newtonian solidly into the modern age
aesthetic!
Rock Solid Rack and Pinion Focuser
For handling even
the most heavyweight APS-C setups with ease, Apertura has built the
CarbonStar 200 with a rack and pinion focuser system. Combining a 'toothed'
bottom rail with a linear top rail, this system has the bite and rigidity
for holding robust imaging equipment in place while also providing a smooth
focusing experience. At 2", this focuser is compatible with the vast
majority of coma correctors and equipment on the market today; with an
1.25" to 2" included and M56 threads (hidden behind the stylish
silver end cap) for additional equipment coverage. Focusing your gear of
choice in can be done either with the precise 10:1 dual speed focus knobs,
or with an electronic focuser like the
ZWO Electronic Automatic Focuser (2025)
(sold separately) thanks to the EAF ready design which can accommodate most
popular 'bracket-style' autofocusers right out of the box!
Superb Stray Light Control
Without any optical
elements at the very front of the scope, the Newtonian design is inherently
more resistant to stray light than SCTs, refractors, Mak-Cass's, or other
designs with large glass surfaces up front. However, just because there is no
surface to catch the glare of lights in your environment, Newts are not
immune to illumination concerns; and this is where stray light guards come
in! With 13 knife-edge baffles built in, the Apertura CarbonStar
200 Imaging Newtonian helps block stray light from rebounding off the tube
wall into your optics. This is coupled with a rear cell cover, which can be
popped in place once your scope is acclimated to shield the rear of the
mirror cell. Together these protections prevent loss of contrast, uneven
gradient, or other stray light artifacts from impacting your images!
Straightforward Collimation
Often cited as a key
concern for those looking to select a reflector over a refractor is
'collimation'. While it is true that this alignment process is necessary for
getting the most from this telescope's excellent optics, this maintenance is
not the show stopper some may make it out to be! With the right tools even
entry level users can achieve an alignment that will provide incredible
results, and Apertura has made this even more accessible with the CarbonStar
design. This is thanks to the rigid, CNC machined, spider vanes which
protect against the twisting that other popular imaging Newtonians can
experience; allowing you to focus on fine adjustments and not fighting
flexure. Pair this with an accurate yet easy to use tool like the
Apertura Cheshire Collimation Eyepiece
or
Apertura 1.25" Laser Collimator with 45-deg Angled Face
and your optics will be imaging ready in no time!
An Excellent Imaging Companion—the Apertura 1XPCC (Sold
Separately)
Designed for the CarbonStar 200, this add-on from Apertura pushes
your imaging experience even further! With the
Apertura 1x Photographic Coma Corrector
your APS-C camera sees superb star shapes across the frame, without any
modification to your stock scope's framing. Connecting your camera can be
done with the widely compatible M48 threading, with 2" filter (M48)
threads on the telescope side additional utility for one-shot-color or
single filter imagers. This quality corrector features a 2" barrel,
with a generous length to keep the PCC secure and straight in the focuser.
With this upgrade in your corner you can enjoy incredible images with less
processing effort counteracting coma and calibrating frames.
If you're looking to enhance your CarbonStar 200 experience on day one,
be sure to check out the
Apertura CarbonStar 200 Imaging Newtonian with 1x Coma Corrector
package which includes this accessory!
Comes with the Apertura Absolute Warranty
The Apertura Absolute Warranty provides two years of coverage against
product defects. After the initial two-year warranty expires, this product
qualifies for Apertura's Three-Year Accident Replacement Program. In
addition, the Apertura Absolute Warranty is transferable! Download a copy of
the
Apertura Absolute Warranty
for more information on this program, how to make a claim, and why it is
important to keep your original receipt and the product's original boxes and
packaging!
Astronomy Hub: Your one-stop-shop for Astrophotography Knowledge!
Our Gear Experts have compiled a wealth of information to help expand your astrophotography knowledge! Below you’ll find links to articles, videos and "how-to" guides. Just one more reason that our Astronomy Hub is a one-stop-shop for all your astronomy and astrophotography needs!
| A Beginner's Guide to Reflector Telescopes |
| Collimating a Newtonian Telescope with the Apertura Cheshire Collimating Eyepiece |