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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 Redcat 71 WIFD
William Optics Redcat 71 WIFD
William Optics Redcat 71 WIFD
William Optics Redcat 71 WIFD
William Optics Redcat 71 WIFD
William Optics Redcat 71 WIFD
William Optics Redcat 71 WIFD
William Optics Redcat 71 WIFD
William Optics Redcat 71 WIFD
William Optics Redcat 71 WIFD
William Optics Redcat 71 WIFD
William Optics Redcat 71 WIFD

William Optics Redcat 71 WIFD

by William Optics
SKU WO-T-C-71RDII
$1,398.00 - $1,398.00
$1,398.00
$1,398.00 - $1,398.00
$1,398.00
Price Match Policy!
  • Apochromatic Petzval-like Optical Design
  • WIFD (William Optics Internal Focuser Design)
  • Integrated Bahtinov Mask in Dust Cap
  • Included M48 Camera Adapter
  • Dual Vixen/Arca-Swiss Mounting Plate
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Warranty

  • William Optics Redcat 71 WIFD

    The William Optics Redcat 71 WIFD is a premium apochromatic refractor designed for the discerning astrophotographer seeking a larger aperture in a portable, flat-field instrument. Its Petzval-like optical system corrects for field curvature across a wide imaging circle, delivering sharp, color-pure stars from edge to edge without the need for a separate field flattener. This design, combined with a fast focal ratio, illuminates faint, extended deep-sky objects like the North American Nebula (NGC 7000) with exceptional clarity and contrast.

    Apochromatic Petzval-like Optics for Flat-Field Imaging

    The core of the Redcat 71 is its four-element Petzval-like lens arrangement. This sophisticated optical design acts as its own flattener, a critical advantage for astrophotography. You can connect your DSLR or dedicated astronomy camera and achieve a flat, corrected field of view right out of the box, eliminating the complexity and potential spacing errors of using an external flattener.

    As an apochromatic refractor, the Redcat 71 uses specialized glass to bring all colors of the visual spectrum to a single, sharp focus. This prevents the distracting purple fringing around bright stars common in simpler designs, ensuring your star fields are rendered with natural, high-fidelity color.

    WIFD Internal Focuser for Zero Image Shift

    A key innovation in the Redcat 71 is the William Optics Internal Focuser Design (WIFD). Unlike traditional drawtube focusers that move the camera, the WIFD system moves the optical elements internally. This design completely eliminates image shift and focuser sag, even when using heavy imaging trains with filter wheels and off-axis guiders.

    • Maximum Stability: Your camera and accessories remain fixed, maintaining perfect optical alignment throughout the focusing process for consistently sharp results.
    • Precise Adjustments: The robust mechanism allows for smooth, meticulous focus control, which is essential for achieving critical sharpness on high-resolution sensors.
    • Integrated Bahtinov Mask: To aid in this process, the dust cap features an integrated Bahtinov mask, providing a simple and highly accurate method for reaching perfect focus every time.

    CNC-Machined Build and Integrated Mounting System

    Crafted from solid CNC-machined aluminum, the Redcat 71 WIFD is built for both durability and portability. The entire package is designed to be field-ready, with an integrated mounting system that provides immediate compatibility with a wide range of equatorial mounts and accessories. The included soft carry case makes it an ideal instrument for traveling to dark-sky sites.

    • Dual Dovetail Plate: The mounting ring is attached to a versatile plate that features both a Vixen-style and Arca-Swiss rail, allowing you to connect to nearly any modern mount without extra hardware.
    • Multi-function Handlebar: The top handle not only makes the telescope easy to carry but also doubles as a mounting saddle for guide scopes or other accessories.
    • Camera Connection: The included M48 adapter provides a standard, wide-aperture connection point for most astronomy cameras and DSLR M48 T-rings.

    Redcat 71 vs. Redcat 51: More Aperture for Deeper Views

    The Redcat 71 is the direct step-up from the legendary Redcat 51, designed for imagers who are ready for more resolving power and light-gathering capability.

    • Redcat 51's Advantage: The smaller Redcat 51 remains the champion of ultimate portability, fitting in a camera bag and being perfectly suited for lightweight star trackers.
    • Redcat 71's Advantage: The Redcat 71's larger aperture gathers significantly more light. This translates directly to brighter images, shorter exposure times, and the ability to resolve finer details in galactic dust lanes and faint nebulae. It represents a tangible increase in imaging power while maintaining the grab-and-go convenience the Redcat series is known for.

  • Do I need a field flattener for the William Optics Redcat 71?

    No, you do not. The Petzval-like optical design of the Redcat 71 has a built-in field flattener. This provides a flat, corrected field of view across a large image circle, ensuring sharp stars from corner to corner without requiring any additional accessories.

    What is the benefit of the WIFD focuser on the Redcat 71?

    The WIFD (William Optics Internal Focuser Design) is a major upgrade for astrophotography. By moving the optics internally instead of the camera, it offers two key benefits:

    • Zero image shift or tilt: It prevents the camera from sagging or tilting, which is a common issue with heavy imaging setups on traditional focusers.
    • Enhanced stability: It creates a rigid, stable imaging train, which is critical for maintaining sharp focus over long exposures.

    How does the Redcat 71 WIFD perform on large targets like the Andromeda Galaxy (M31)?

    The Redcat 71 WIFD is an excellent choice for very large celestial objects. Its wide, flat field of view is ideal for framing the entirety of massive targets like the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) or the North American Nebula (NGC 7000), especially when paired with an APS-C or full-frame sensor.

    Can I use the Redcat 71 WIFD visually on a portable mount?

    Yes. While optimized for imaging, the Redcat 71's fast, high-contrast optics make it a superb rich-field telescope for visual use. Its compact size and the included soft case make it a great travel scope. It pairs well with sturdy portable mounts and star trackers, but you should always confirm your mount's payload capacity.

    What kind of dovetail plate does the Redcat 71 come with?

    The Redcat 71 includes a versatile dual-side dovetail plate. One side is a standard Vixen-style rail, and the other is an Arca-Swiss rail, providing native compatibility with a wide variety of astronomical mounts and photographic tripods without needing extra adapters.

    How do I achieve perfect focus with the Redcat 71 WIFD?

    The Redcat 71 makes critical focusing simple. The lens cap has an integrated Bahtinov mask. Simply place the cap on the front of the telescope, point at a bright star, and adjust the WIFD focuser until the central diffraction spike is perfectly centered between the other two spikes.

    • Main Tube

      × 1

    • Bahtinov Cap

      × 1

    • M48 Camera Adapter

      × 1

    • Dual-side Plate

      × 1

    • Mounting Ring & Handle bar

      × 1

    • Soft Carry Case

      × 1

    • Allen Key Set

      × 1

  • William Optics 2-Year Warranty