Askar FRA300 Pro Quintuplet APO Refractor
The Askar FRA300 Pro: The Most Compact of the Flat-Field Refractive Astrograph Line!
If you’re in the market for a high performance refractor with a minimal footprint, this Askar FRA Quintuplet series telescope is the way to go! A premier, portable astrograph designed to deliver quality flat field images with crisp stars, this wide field refractor is an invaluable tool for detail-driven astrophotographers. FRA stands for “Flat-Field Astrograph”, denoting its exceptional level of sharpness and offering built-in flat field correction—without the need for an additional field flattener. Precision-built and exhibiting exceptional optical quality, the Askar FRA300 Pro is a must have!
With a 300 mm focal length, this Askar FRA astrograph opens the doors to a host of imaging opportunities! The Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex, the Flaming Star and Tadpoles Nebulae, and the Pleiades Open Star Cluster, just to name a few, fill the frame with vibrant, colorful nebulosity. Engineered for excellence, the FRA300 Pro refractor optical tube is assembled from high-quality CNC machined components that have a smooth spray coating and light oxidation process. The included tube ring, multifunctional carrying handle, and Vixen-style dovetail plate are red anodized to match the FRA300 Pro astrograph body, providing a sleek, sophisticated look. Also included is a robust 2.5” Rack & Pinion focuser, along with a built-in 360° rotator to help you find the perfect imaging angle. As the smallest and fastest telescope within the FRA series, this portable, yet highly powerful astrograph helps you make the most out of your trips to dark skies!
Full Frame, Flat Field Imaging Right Out of the Box
Designed with five lens elements in a 3+2 configuration, this quintuplet astrograph corrects the incoming light with a high degree of precision. Each piece of glass is skillfully configured and meticulously aligned to bring each ray of light to a sharp focus, enabling striking clarity and pinpoint stars within your field of view! All surfaces of these five lenses are multicoated for maximum light throughput, while the fully air-spaced design ensures peak color correction. Additionally, one of these elements is extra-low dispersion (ED) glass, further bolstering optical performance. Taking a look at the spot diagram, the Askar FRA300 Pro shows a central star point with an RMS radius that can reach 2 µm at the center of the field of view. Even the most dedicated astrophotographers will be impressed by its razor-sharp results! As a Petzval refractor, sharp stars can be expected across the entire 44 mm image circle thanks to its inherent flat field. Even with full frame cameras, resolve beautiful detail all the way to the far edges of the field of view—without the need for an additional field flattener. Backspacing calculations are also not necessary with this Petzval design. As long as your imaging train can reach focus, the entirety of your field of view will be in focus. This means there’s no need to fumble with spacers and adapters, just attach your camera and you’re ready to start imaging!
Small in Size, Big in Performance
The Askar FRA300 Pro blends portability, high optical precision, and top-notch craftsmanship for astrophotographers seeking stellar performance. Enjoy capturing the cosmos with a high degree of precision, whether you plan to image star clusters, nebulae, or distant galaxies. Down below we take a deeper dive into the incredible aspects of this Askar astrograph, highlighting its wide field capabilities, travel-friendly, yet robust design, as well as the key inclusions found within this package!
A Wide-Field Workhorse
Equipped with a 300 mm focal length, an extensive variety of targets are available for capture! This wide field astrograph is suitable for framing popular targets like the Lagoon Nebula, the Orion Nebula, the North America Nebula, and plenty more. Large galaxies such as the striking Andromeda Galaxy, Triangulum Galaxy, and the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds fit nicely within the frame as well. The rated 60 mm aperture is wonderful for collecting ample light on these targets for bright, detailed images. With a 300 mm focal length and 60 mm aperture, the Askar FRA300 Pro features a resulting focal ratio of f/5. Three camera adapters come standard within this package (M42, M48, and M54) for quick, seamless integration with your dedicated astroimaging camera, DSLR, or mirrorless camera.
Powerful & Portable
Compact, lightweight, and equipped with its own carrying handle, the Askar FRA300 Pro is the perfect on-the-go companion! This small, yet mighty refractor weighs in at only 4.98 lbs., adding little bulk to your travel kit. Additionally, this featherlight payload offers seamless compatibility with today’s most popular star trackers, bringing the precision of high-caliber optics to portable setups. Take advantage of dark skies far from city lights with ease. Thanks to Askar, you have the freedom of capturing stunning, tack-sharp images wherever your astroimaging journey takes you.
Dial In the Sharpness
The onboard 2.5” Rack & Pinion focuser delivers precise, smooth focus. Dual-speed in design, two separate knobs help you hone in on the details! First, find rough focus with the large knob, then utilize the smaller, high-resolution knob for further refining. This precision machined, robust focuser is highly durable and provides a solid mount for your imaging equipment. Also compatible with a large majority of electronic autofocusers on the market today, you’re well equipped for automatic, hands-free focusing.
Setting You Up For Success!
Askar includes a number of accessories within this package to get you out and imaging in no time. For seamless adaptation to your equatorial mount out of the box, a tube ring and a dovetail mounting plate come standard within this package. This tube ring holds your refractor snug, while the Vixen-style dovetail pairs with a wide variety of mounts on the market today. 300 mm in length, this dovetail plate makes finding perfect balance on your equatorial mount a breeze. Also included is a dual use handle bar for effortless transport and versatility. Easily mount accessories such as your guidescope, your WiFi camera control device, and plenty more atop this handle bar with its built-in finder base. As mentioned above, three camera adapters are included: M42x0.75, M54x0.75, and M48x0.75. When utilizing the M48 adapter, its built-in threads offer seamless compatibility with 2” filters. After your camera is connected, finding the perfect framing with the integrated 360° rotator is quick and easy! Simply loosen the locking screw, rotate your camera to your desired orientation, then retighten the locking screw to hold it in place.
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!
| The Beginner's Guide to Refractor Telescopes |
| 10 Things You Need to Know About Nebulae |
| How to Connect a Camera to a Telescope |
| No Fuss Astrophotography Telescopes for Beginners |