William Optics UltraCat 56 Refractor
The Most Compact Entry within the William Optics Ultra-Cat Series!
Fitted with five internal lens elements, a generous 56 mm aperture, and the patented William Optics internal focuser, the Ultra-Cat 56 is the perfect choice for those seeking crystal clear astrophotos in a compact form! Capture outstanding detail on sweeping scenes of the night sky and be stunned by the level of sharpness across the entire 50 mm image circle. In addition to its high performance optics, this refractor is furnished with a fast f/4.8 focal ratio for speedy photon collection, a wide 269 mm focal length, and all of the essential accessories to get started.
The Petzval optical design of this William Optics Ultra-Cat 56 means there is no external flattener required for sharp stars right out of the box. This lens arrangement also has another huge bonus: you can skip the backspacing calculations! As long as your camera can reach focus the entire frame will be in focus as well. With its 269 mm focal length and full-frame compatibility, a wide variety of celestial objects are yours for capture. This expansive scope of vision opens the doors to scenes of the Orion Nebula, the Pleiades Open Star Cluster, as well as the entirety of the Andromeda Galaxy. A signature feature of William Optics Cat series of telescopes, this 56 mm version comes equipped with the innovative WIFD focus design for ultra-smooth, ultra-stable focusing. The sleek black and red body of this Ultra-Cat 56 has you imaging in style, and the matching handle bars, tube ring, and dovetail complete this sophisticated aesthetic!
The Brilliance of the Quintuplet Design
Opening the door to a world of highly detailed images, the William Optics Ultra-Cat 56 is a must have for precision-driven astrophotographers! The five internal lenses work together to correct the incoming light with a stark degree of accuracy, eradicating aberration from your captured frames with incredible efficacy. Another key benefit from this quintuplet design is an inherent flat field. No additional field flattener is required for pinpoint stars from edge to edge, streamlining your setup. Backspacing calculations are also a thing of the past! Skip the hassle of finding the perfect distance between your camera sensor and the rear lens, simply attach your camera and you’re ready to go. As the perfect blend of power and simplicity, the William Optica Ultra-Cat 56 has you set up for success.
A Premium Telescope Jam Packed with Features
This William Optics Ultra-Cat 56 Refractor provides exceptional detail on the cosmos thanks to its powerful quintuplet optical design. A high-end instrument for astrophotography, it’s sure to help you reach new heights within your astroimaging journey. Read on as we take a deeper look at its impressive qualities below!
Your Next Astroimaging Powerhouse
Designed specifically for astrophotography, the William Optics Ultra-Cat 56 is an exceptional tool for capturing the cosmos. A host of targets are ready for exposure: the colorful array within the Rho Ophiuchi Cloud Complex, the intricate structure found in the Cygnus Region, and the diverse assortment of objects packed within the Milky Way core. In addition to nebulae, take a deeper look into space past our own Milky Way to resolve stunning detail on large galaxies like the Andromeda Galaxy and the Triangulum Galaxy. This power-packed refractor is full frame compatible and houses a sizable 56 mm aperture. This means outstanding illumination across some of today’s largest sensors! Within the box you’ll find two camera adapters for effortless integration with your imaging train.
WIFD Focuser Design with EAF Compatibility
As opposed to shifting your imaging equipment back and forth for focus, the patented William Optics Internal Focusing Design (WIFD) shifts the optics themselves within the tube. This results in far better weight distribution for enhanced stability during your nights of imaging. A major advantage for users of heavy imaging equipment, the possibility of drawtube sag is significantly minimized! Vignetting is also kept well in check, a common issue seen with traditional rear mounted focusers. This focusing apparatus is also compatible with most of the electronic focusers on the market for hands-free, automated focusing! A convenient focus ruler is built into the body of this refractor, enabling a quick return to previous focusing positions.
Included Sensor Tilt Xterminator
Helping you maximize your image quality by eradicating tilt, William Optica includes their innovative Sensor Tilt Xterminator with your Ultra-Cat 56! This handy tool improves upon the original 4 pull-in and 8 push-out screw configuration, simplifying it to a more efficient 4 push-out and 4 locked screw system. “Seesaw-style”, this accessory makes it easy to quickly adjust any present tilt without having to remove your camera. Simply loosen one screw and tighten the opposing diagonal screw until proper alignment is reached.
The Complete Package
Along with the Sensor Tilt Xterminator, William Optics includes a variety of additional accessories within this package! A signature feature of William Optics scopes, the dual-use objective cap/Bahtinov mask is a handy tool, providing both protection for your optics as well as a simple method of finding perfect focus. Further assisting with focus, you’ll find a temperature gauge in the coarse focusing knob. This thoughtful feature enables precise monitoring of nighttime temperature shifts for systematic telescope refocusing. Atop the handle bar, easily add accessories such as a guidescope or a WiFi camera control device. A set of M4 screw holes on the side of this telescope offer attachment of a user-supplied finder base for additional accessory mounting! Rounding out this outfitting, the included 210 mm dovetail helps you adjoin your Ultra-Cat 56 with a host of setups thanks to its dual-sided design (Vixen/Arca Swiss).
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!
| Achieving Perfect Focus with a Bahtinov Mask |
| Autoguiding |
| Telescope Mount Buying Guide |
| ZWO ASIAir Ultimate Guide |