Which William Optics telescopes are compatible with the Flattener 8?
The Flattener 8 is designed for William Optics' larger refractors that feature a focuser with a female M92 x 1 thread. It is made for the Fluorostar 132 (FLT132), Fluorostar 156 (FLT156), Gran Turismo 102 (GT102) and Gran Turismo 153 (GT153). Always confirm your telescope's focuser thread before purchasing.
Does the WO Flattener 8 provide a fully corrected field for a full-frame sensor?
Yes, it is explicitly designed to provide excellent correction and illumination for full-frame sensors (36x24mm), as well as smaller APS-C and M4/3 formats. You can expect sharp, pinpoint stars from the center to the corners of your full-frame camera.
How does the 0.72x reduction of the Flattener 8 affect my imaging time?
Focal reduction makes your telescope "faster" by concentrating the same amount of light onto a smaller area. A 0.72x reducer shortens exposure times by a factor of (0.72)^2, or approximately 0.52. This means a 10-minute exposure without the reducer would require only about 5 minutes to achieve the same signal-to-noise ratio with the Flattener 8 installed.
What is the required back focus for the William Optics Flattener 8?
While the optical length is 77 mm, the required back focus (the distance from the flattener's rear flange to the camera sensor) depends on the telescope: 63.4 mm for the FLT132, 60.8 mm for the FLT156, 67.1 mm for the GT102 and 60.4 mm for the GT153, with adjust distances of 8.4 mm, 5.8 mm, 12.1 mm and 5.4 mm respectively.
What are the connection threads on the WO Flattener 8?
The Flattener 8 uses two primary threads:
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Telescope Side: M92 x 1 male thread.
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Camera Side: M48 x 0.75 male thread (also known as the 2" filter thread standard).
Is the 1098 g weight of the Flattener 8 a concern for my telescope's focuser?
At 2.42 lbs, the Flattener 8 is a substantial piece of optical equipment. It requires a high-quality, robust focuser capable of handling heavy imaging trains without slipping or flexing. The rack-and-pinion focusers found on the William Optics telescopes it's designed for are more than capable of supporting this weight along with a camera.