AIRY APO104T apochromatic refractor
with field flattener, 104mm diameter, 650mm focal length (f6.25), FPL-53
apochromatic 5-elements design (front triplet with 2 ED lenses + rear 2
elements field flattener) with aluminum tube, 2,7" Hybrid-Drive focuser
with fine focus knob, 2" GIOTTO filter drawer, manual field rotator,
PLUS support rings, transport hard case.
AIRY APO104T with field flattener is the perfect telescope for long
exposure astrophotography: thanks to perfect color correction, great
contrast and large flat field with dedicated field flattener (flat field
diameter: 44mm), it creates spectacular images even with big size
sensors (like FullFrame ones). Thanks to particular front lens with 2 ED
lenses (instead of 1 as usual), AIRY APO104T provides the highest
quality images for all applications: unlike other telescopes with
integrated field flattener, you can remove the field flattener and use
the telescope without restriction for visual application or for planets
and Moon imaging. Telescope collimation and optics test included in the price!
AIRY
APO104T apochromatic refractor with field flattener, 104mm diameter,
650mm focal length (f6.25), FPL-53 apochromatic 5-elements design (front
triplet with 2 ED lenses + rear 2 elements field flattener) with
aluminum tube, 2,7" Hybrid-Drive focuser with fine focus knob, 2" filter
drawer, PLUS support rings, transport hard case.
The AIRY APO104T apochromatic refractor with field flattener offers all this along with other first-class features:

5-elements apochromatic design
AIRY
APO104T uses a 5-elements optical design (front triplet with 2 ED lenses
+ rear 2 elements field flattener) just designed for astrophotography,
offering large 44mm diameter flat field and perfect chromatic
aberration! For this reason AIRY APO104T with field flattener is
perfect also for the most difficoult astrophotography where very long
exposure times are required, even with large sensor size camera!
More, instead of the usual triplets that use one ED lens and two Crown glass lenses, our AIRY APO104T with field flattener uses 2 ED lenses (one FPL-53 and one FPL-51), an innovative solution that allows you to get an even better chromatic aberration correction! The result is a perfect image, without any aberration with the colors that reach perfectly the same point of focus.

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Giant Hybrid-Drive da 2,7" focuser, field flattener and GIOTTO filter drawer
One of the strengths of the AIRY APO104T refractor is
its wonderful Hybrid-Drive 2,7" focuser. The mechanical building
precision eliminates the problem typical of normal Crayford focusers
that, during the long exposures required by astrophotography, can have
camera slippage moving the sensor out of focus. For this reason we have
chosen to provide our AIRY APO104T telescopes with the
Hybrid-Drive 2,7" focuser that adds, under the focuser tube, a rack and
pinion thereby maintaining in position even heavy cameras (load capacity
of up 8 Kg). Below the focuser there's also a locking screw: closing
it, you will be sure that your camera will not move any more!
The
field flattener is directly threaded on the focuser's tube to avoid
flexions and the focuser also features a convenient 1:11 fine focus
gear, particularly useful when you need to focus at high magnification.
On the back of the focuser there is an M48 thread (48x0,75) to connect
photographic equipment (requested backfocus: 55mm). You can convert M48
thread to T2 with the included T2 (M42x0,75) adapter. This way you can
connect any photographic instrument (like a camera) that comes with T2
ring, keeping the same 55mm backfocus distance. The
focuser has a very long travel (95mm) to allow the use of both
photographic (cameras with accessories) and visual (eyepieces and mirror
diagonal) instruments. For visual use, we recommend our 50.8mm
XP dielectric mirror diagonal.
Immediately
in front of the flattener there is the GIOTTO 50,8mm filter slider. The
filter slider has a drawer where you can insert any 50.8 mm diameter
filter (equipped with m48x0,75 thread and with cell thickness up to 7mm). With the GIOTTO filter slider you
can easily change the filter with a convenient snap mechanism without
removing your camera! A conveniente rotator field, that oomplete the
included photographic accessories, allows you to rotate the entire rear
part of the focuser: this way you can adjust the imaging object framing,
keeping the focus point.

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OnAxisLock 50,8mm locking device (optional)
Unlike
other telescopes with integrated field flattener, you can remove the
AIRY APO104T field flattener and use the telescope without restriction
for visual application or for planets and Moon imaging. You simply have
to thread (instead of the field flattener) the optional OnAxisLock 50,8mm eyepiece holder for 2,7" Hybrid-Drive focusers and you will have the 50,8mm connection in order to use various accessories like eyepieces, mirror diagonals or Barlow lenses.
The OnAxisLock locking device allows you to perfectly lock the inserted accessory by rotating the outer (red) ring (instead of normal thumbscrews as in other telescopes): a special inner ring tightens accessories with a uniform pressure. The OnAxisLock device
also helps keep perfectly aligned on axis the accessories inserted into
the focuser: you'll be so sure that the connected accessory will be
perfectly centered in the telescope optical axis.
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Precision mechanical construction and 360° quality
You will be amazed of the mechanical quality of our AIRY APO104T with field flattener:
full aluminum intubation made with precision CNC machine is rugged yet
lightweight. All the components are treated at the highest levels to
provide an instrument with which is a real pleasure to photograph or
watch the sky!
The
aluminum front dew shield can be closed to make the telescope more
transportable. The front cap is completely aluminum made. The focuser
can be rotated freely through 360 degrees (without changing the focus
point) to position the camera with the right angle and perfectly frame
the object you want to record. The AIRY APO104T refractor with field flattener is an optics and mechanics jewel, and to carry it or keep it protected at best, it comes with a beautiful aluminum hard case.

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PLUS system support rings:
Forget about the uncomfortable and weak support rings that are often found in cheap telescopes! Our AIRY APO104T apochromatic
refractor has beautiful aluminum anodized support rings, made with high
precision CNC machines, which are part of the PLUS (Prima Luce Universal System)
system. This gives you maximum freedom in adapting the telescope to
your request; at the same time, it has all the threaded holes, holes and
slots suitable for connecting all the PLUS compatible elements, always
with simple M6 screws.
For
example, you can choose to install either a Losmandy or Vixen plate
type, or you can use the holes in the upper part of the rings to install
a telescope in parallel (through the guide rings PLUS compatible) or
another dovetail plat equals to one located below the telescope (to
position where you want guide rings or to allow the sliding Vixen +
Losmandy dovetail clamp).
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A complete line of dedicated accessories:
Our
complete line of accessories for AIRY let you personalize your telescope
according to your needs. Always with quality and operating certificated
instruments!

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4 years extended warranty and Q-certified controls
All our
AIRY apochromatic refractors are equipped with extended warranty, 4
years (instead of 2 of the most telescopes)! This way you will be sure
not only to have a great product but also with quality that lasts over
time! Each telescope is identified by a unique serial number which is
also listed in the manual provided with the package. But our innovation
doesn't end there.
In fact
we have developed Q-certified, a comprehensive control system that we
work out in our laboratory prior to shipment and delivery of the product
you ordered. In fact, before delivering the AIRY APO104T telescope, we
test the collimation and the perfect functioning of all mechanical
components.
In
addition, we pay much attention and care to shipping, carrying a sturdy
packaging and giving it to the courier service. We want to be sure that
you will receive your new AIRY APO104T not only in the shortest possible
time but also with utmost care.

Left:
every AIRY telescope is identified by a unique serial number. Right:
functional and collimation verification of optics on optical bench.
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AIRY APO104T apochromatic refractor with field flattener - scope of delivery:
- AIRY APO104T apochromatic refractor optical tube (D: 104mm F:650mm f/6.25)
- Aluminum intubation
- 2,7" Hybrid-Drive focuser with 1:11 fine focus
- Field flattener with M48 connection and T2 adapter
- GIOTTO filter drawer for 50,8mm filter
- Manual field rotator
- Retractable dewshield
- PLUS support rings
- Aluminum hard case
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M31 galaxy recorded by Domenico De Luca with AIRY APO104T with field flattener and SBIG ST-8300M camera.

NGC7023 nebula recorded by Fabio Semeraro with AIRY APO104T with field flattener and QHY9M camera.

Specifications
Name |
PrimaLuceLab - 104mm APO104T APO Refractor with Flattener |
Manufacturer |
PrimaLuceLab |
Model |
PRI-AIRYAPO104TFLAT |
Custom Stock Status |
Ships in 1-2 Weeks |
In The Box |
PrimaluceLab 104mm APO Refractor Optical Tube
PLUS Tube Rings
2.7" Hybrid Drive Focuser
2" Filter Drawer
Hard Case |
Telescope Aperture |
3.1" - 4" |
Aperture |
104mm |
Backfocus Distance |
95mm |
Case |
Hard Case |
Focal Ratio |
f/6.25 |
Focal Ratio w/ flattener |
f/6.25 |
Focuser |
2.7" Hybrid Drive |
Focus System |
Hybrid Drive (Crayford with Rack & Pinion) |
Image circle |
44mm |
Optical Coatings |
Fully Multi Coated |
Optical Glass |
FPL53 and FPL51 ED |
Optical Design |
Apochromatic Refractor |
Optical Tube |
Aluminum |
Optical Tube Weight |
13.6lbs. |
In the Box
PrimaluceLab 104mm APO Refractor Optical Tube
PLUS Tube Rings
2.7" Hybrid Drive Focuser
2" Filter Drawer
Hard Case

Sir George Biddell Airy
Sir
George Biddell Airy (27 July 1801 – 2 January 1892) was an English
mathematician and astronomer, Astronomer Royal from 1835 to 1881. His
many achievements include work on planetary orbits, measuring the mean
density of the Earth, a method of solution of two-dimensional problems
in solid mechanics and, in his role as Astronomer Royal, establishing
Greenwich as the location of the prime meridian.
from: Wikipedia
THE Ferrari© of Telescopes!
review by Ioan on 10/13/2016
Just received my 104T and accessories. As an
international purchaser from Romania, I did not feel any hindrance due
to communication, as the whole staff speaks perfect English. No
unreturned calls or emails, no frustration or haste sensed on the
seller's side. I bombarded them with 100 pre-purchase questions, and
Filippo personally has responded all of them in due time (usually the
same day). He was also available on Skype, which was a nice treat. I got
to discuss all pre-purchase questions and concerns directly with the
owners/CEO, which is not your everyday shop experience for
state-of-the-art instruments when bought with online distributors and
not the actual brand shop. The intra focal and extra focal collimation
test pictures were sent in advance. Just perfect. In one word, the level
of personal, customised service you get when you set your sight on one
of their products matches the quality of the product.
The shipment was done next day after the payment (just cause I paid late
that day), and arrived in exactly the time published on the website,
via UPS. The boxes the OTA and accessories came in looked newly
produced, undamaged, extremely well wrapped and bubbled for extra
safety, not as with other OTAs and accessories I bough from large online
distributors (damaged, old, smelling like mildew as if stored in a
basement, made in C...a markings etc.). No scratches on the products, no
defects, no dusts, no miss-colorations, no part sitting otherwise than
as supposed to, nothing to complain about, products just as they've been
taken out from the production line a minute ago, no hands involved. As a
bonus, they also sent a bunch of additional screws which would fit in
the focuser holes, should I need to attach additional accessories in the
future. You know how it is when you need one to fit in your OTA and
can't find the right dimension...
Now to the OTA. It is truly The Ferrari of telescopes. When seeing,
touching and working the mechanics of the 104T, you get the same feeling
as driving the famous Italian supercar. Nothing compares to it. The
materials and the engineering design of this piece of art leaves
absolutely nothing to desire, and go beyond of what myself could have
imagined, should I ever wanted to design a telescope and rings systems.
Only very talented, dedicated, experienced, competent and passionate
people can put so much care and attention to detail as in this product
and the PLUS system. I guess they got sick waiting for somebody else to
do something like this, so they decided to design and produce it by
themselves.
You should be assured my enthusiasm is genuine, whereas any
exaggerations, although I made none, would still make justice for this
product. The simplest description of the 104T is this: imagine a
telescope just as you'd want it, increase that expectation by 100% (if
you can, or if you can't, then try to theorize) and then be sure that's
what you'll get in the box at your door. And I mean design, mechanics,
feel, colour, optics, fitness of various parts and accessories etc. You
name it.
I'm a very critical and analytical individual, taking my time before
each purchase, and a perfectionist. This was one of those very rare
occasions when I simply can't complain about anything, both on the
shopping experience as well as on the products themselves. If you plan
to buy your ultimate portable telescope with these specifications (f
rate etc.), then the 104T would be the right choice. Unless the
technology will change to make the current known best telescope designs,
optics and builds obsolete, you won't feel any desire or need to look
for something different. I'm sure I won't, as I'm sure this telescope
will bring countless wondrous skies in my life and to my family for many
years to come.
In this
video Filippo presents the AIRY APO104T apochromatic refractor and
explain its main features, especially for astrophotography: