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IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
William Optics Image Plane Tilt Adjuster
William Optics Image Plane Tilt Adjuster

William Optics Image Plane Tilt Adjuster

by William Optics
SKU WO-M-FD-RC51
$60.00 - $60.00
$60.00
$60.00 - $60.00
$60.00
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  • Designed exclusively for the William Optics RedCat 51 astrograph
  • Corrects image plane tilt for perfectly round stars across the frame
  • Adds only 12.2 mm of optical path length
  • Connects via M56 female thread to the telescope
  • Provides a standard M54 male thread for your camera or filter wheel
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Warranty

  • William Optics Image Plane Tilt Adjuster for RedCat 51

    The William Optics Image Plane Tilt Adjuster is an essential upgrade for imagers using the RedCat 51, adding only 12.2 mm of optical length to the imaging train. It connects directly to the telescope's native M56 thread and provides a standard M54 output for your camera, enabling precise, independent adjustment to eliminate sensor tilt and achieve a perfectly flat field.

    Achieve a Perfectly Flat Field: The 12.2mm RedCat 51 Tilt Adjuster

    The fast optical system of the RedCat 51 is extremely sensitive to sensor tilt, where even a few microns of misalignment can result in elongated stars in the corners of an otherwise sharp image. This tilt adjuster provides the fine control needed to make the camera sensor perfectly orthogonal to the telescope's optical axis, ensuring the RedCat's flat-field correction is fully realized from edge to edge.

    Seamless Integration with M56 and M54 Threads

    Engineered as a drop-in solution, this adjuster features an M56 female thread on the light-in side that attaches directly to the RedCat 51's focuser drawtube. The light-out side provides a male M54 thread, a common standard for connecting to most filter wheels, off-axis guiders, and dedicated astronomy cameras. This robust, threaded connection maintains rigidity while allowing for the necessary micro-adjustments to perfect your images.

  • What is the primary purpose of the William Optics Tilt Adjuster for the RedCat 51?

    Its purpose is to correct for sensor tilt. This is a slight misalignment between your camera's sensor and the telescope's focal plane, which can cause stars to be sharp in the center of your image but elongated or out-of-focus in the corners. This device allows you to make fine adjustments to align the sensor perfectly, ensuring sharp stars across the entire field of view.

    How do I know if I need this tilt adjuster for my RedCat 51?

    If you notice that stars in the corners of your images are not perfectly round while the stars in the center are, you likely have sensor tilt. The effect is most noticeable with large sensors and the fast optics of the RedCat 51. This adjuster is the definitive solution to that problem.

    Will this WO-M-FD-RC51 tilt adjuster work with other telescopes?

    No, this adjuster is designed specifically as an upgrade for the William Optics RedCat 51 astrograph. Its threading (M56) and optical length (12.2 mm) are engineered to integrate seamlessly into that specific optical train.

    How does the 12.2 mm optical length of this tilt adjuster affect my imaging train?

    The 12.2 mm of length it adds must be factored into your total back focus distance. You will need to reduce the length of your other extension tubes by 12.2 mm to ensure your camera sensor remains at the correct distance from the RedCat 51's final lens element.

    What are the input and output threads on the William Optics Tilt Adjuster?

    The adjuster has the following connections:

    • Telescope Side (Light-In): M56 x 0.75 female thread
    • Camera Side (Light-Out): M54 x 0.75 male thread

    If I'm imaging the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) with my RedCat 51 and a full-frame sensor, why is this adjuster critical?

    Imaging a large target like the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) with a full-frame sensor pushes the RedCat 51's image circle to its limits. Any minor sensor tilt will be immediately obvious as misshapen stars in the corners of your frame, ruining the large, flat field you're trying to capture. This tilt adjuster is critical for ensuring that the thousands of stars across M31's spiral arms are rendered as perfect pinpoints.

  • Compatibility William Optics RedCat 51
    Telescope Connection (Light-In) M56 x 0.75 Female Thread
    Camera Connection (Light-Out) M54 x 0.75 Male Thread
    Optical Length 12.2 mm

    • William Optics Image Plane Tilt Adjuster

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  • William Optics 2-Year Warranty