Askar FRA400C - 72 mm f/5.6 Quintuplet Dual ED APO Multi-Functional Refractor - FRA400C

Askar FRA400C 72mm Quintuplet Multifunctional Refractor

• Designed for astrophotography, daytime photography & visual observations day & night!

• Adjustable aperture from f/22 to f/5.6

• 72 mm Quintuplet Petzval self-flattening design with two ED elements

• Full-frame 44 mm Image Circle

• Supports 50-60mm focus distance (55mm is recommended)

• Integrated helical focusing ring with locking screw

• Three photographic adapter sizes at rear (M72, M54 & M48)

• Built-in 2" filter threads in M48 adapter

• With 2" and 1.25" adapters & 290mm Vixen dovetail plate included

• Entire OTA easily rotates for camera angle adjustment

• Retractable lens hood

Askar calls the FRA400C their budget-friendly version of the FRA400.  Unlike the FRA400, whose main focus (no pun intended) is astrophotography, complete with a heavy-duty 3" focuser & rotator, the FRA400C is designed more like a multi-functional camera lens, and is great for daytime photography, day/night visual use, and astrophotography.  Like a heavy-duty manual focus camera lens, the Askar FRA400C is designed with an integral helical focus ring and aperture ring that adjusts the focal ratio from f/5.6 to f/22.  While this system does not come with a CAA (camera angle adjuster), you can easily rotate the entire OTA to adjust the angle for imaging.  

One important feature of the FRA400C is the optics, and Askar has used the same quintuplet lens design that they use on their more expensive FRA400.  With a Petzval optical structure, this scope does not need a flattener, and back focus is easier to deal with.  The FRA400C supports a distance of between 50 mm & 60 mm.

We definitely like the multi-functionality of the FRA400C.  You can add an optional focal reducer if you like, which would bring the effective focal ratio down to f/3.9.  For imaging, you can choose from three different photo adapter sizes available on the rear of the scope...M72*1, M54*0.75, or M48*0.75 with a built-in 2" filter adapter.  If you'd like to do some observing, this 72mm lens comes with a 2" and 1.25" eyepiece adapter and accepts standard eyepieces and other accessories.  Speaking of accessories, like the FRA400, this Quint accepts popular motorized focusers from ZWO, iOptron, QHY or PrimaLuceLab!

FRA400C Specifications

• Aperture: 72mm

• Focal Length: 400mm

• Focal Ratio: f/5.6

• Objective Lens: Quintuplet dual ED air-spaced APO

• Format: 44mm. Full-Frame

• Aperture Blades: 17 pieces

• Graded Aperture: f/5.6-f/22

• Closest Focus Distance: 5m

• Focusing Mode: Manual focus

• Filter Diameter: M82

• Total Length: 370mm (inclulding dew shield); 420mm (without dew shield)

• OTA Weight: 2.68kg

• Total Weight (including handle & dovetail plate): 3.18kg

• Rear-end Adapter: M72/M54/M48(with M48×0.75 filter thread)

• Rear-end Connection Distance: Supports 50-60mm range (Recommended 55mm)

• What's In the Box: FRA400C with dovetail, 1.25inch/2inch adapter & manual

Askar FRA400C User's Manual (PDF)