Well, sorry to say that this SVBONY SV 503 70 scope is optically, not that great. The center it's good optically, not great but unless you are using a small sensor DSLR/Astro camera smaller than a APS-C, you won't like the image quality. Very blurry on the outer edges, with and without the SV193 Focal Reducer. But the quality of the scope and reducer is very good way better than it's optical quality. Don't get the 70mm but the SVBony 80mm is much better optically, yes a bigger and heavier scope but does not cost that much more.
The SV 503 70mm cost is great but sad the image sharpness for daylight photography very poor and for Astro like the Moon is only made for a small sensor APS-C smaller!!
Sorry to say going back. I guess you get what you pay for? OTA $369, .8x Reducer $140 ish does not really help that much.
I am not 100% sure but I think this scope is very similar as to the Astro-Tech AT70ED scope, I do like the SVBONY 503 70 dual rings & long dovetail, over the AT70ED design but cost less. But optically should be the same?
So back to the SharpStar 61EDPHII as is as well made as the above, and maybe a bit better image quality at the edges? Now the new SharpStar 61EDPHIII Triplet Apo $550 maybe a much better choice?
Christopher
