28 replies to this topic

[Phacops82]

Hi

I have found such a mystery scope. I had read a lot about classic long achromates, I was just curious about them. However, such equipment has not reached Poland in the past. Unitron or Polarex were not available here, and I don't count modern Chinese ones. Especially since I'm not talking about diameters such as 50-60mm. With WO 132 f7, it generally does not need typical planetary equipment. Until I saw it. First look, it's a classic achromat, about 80mm and the right length. It was at a good price, so I took it out of curiosity.

 

 

It has a very unusual mounting 1,5" and 2,5"

Focuser is realy heavy-duty 3kg

has a signature "FOK".

This is the only inscription on the entire instrument.

 

clamps

With no dovtail

 

And of course the lens

This is achromatic dublet about 85mm. The focal length measured in the sun indicates 1300mm. So he is f15. He's sitting in a cell.

 

 

 My plan for it is to renovate it. It's already painted now. Then attach it to the tripod. I also need to make a converter from 2.5 to 2 inches. This scope is from time when 0.965 inch ruled Why is this 2,5" with a lot o space? I think it might have been an astrograph, or ATM.

What can be said about this scope?

 

 

 

[Phacops82]

This scope with box that is with WO 132 f7 and ATM made from Century Tele-Athenar 600mm f5 (not f4,5 as it is in the descriptions, because its lens is 120mm not 133mm)

[deSitter]

Looks like FOX. Is it embossed or just a stick-on label?

 

Very interesting find! At 3.5" f/15 a good achromat performs like a modern ED scope with almost no color.

 

-drl

[Phacops82]

Looks like FOX. Is it embossed or just a stick-on label?

 

Very interesting find! At 3.5" f/15 a good achromat performs like a modern ED scope with almost no color.

 

-drl

This is FOK and it sticks. This name may mean nothing. Who made telescopes with such parameters as this one? The diameter of the focuser is exactly the same as the diameter of the cell. I can not to believe that this is ATM.

[Kasmos]

My first guess is that it's German, but I can't match it to the common brands.

 

Second guess is Russian made, but no matches yet.

[RichA]

Hi

I have found such a mystery scope. I had read a lot about classic long achromates, I was just curious about them. However, such equipment has not reached Poland in the past. Unitron or Polarex were not available here, and I don't count modern Chinese ones. Especially since I'm not talking about diameters such as 50-60mm. With WO 132 f7, it generally does not need typical planetary equipment. Until I saw it. First look, it's a classic achromat, about 80mm and the right length. It was at a good price, so I took it out of curiosity.

 n

 

 

 My plan for it is to renovate it. It's already painted now. Then attach it to the tripod. I also need to make a converter from 2.5 to 2 inches. This scope is from time when 0.965 inch ruled Why is this 2,5" with a lot o space? I think it might have been an astrograph, or ATM.

What can be said about this scope?

Very interesting, never seen it before, but I believe I've seen the big spotter. 

Edited by RichA, 06 September 2024 - 01:50 PM.

[Phacops82]

 

WO 132 looks pretty short. It is painted and dovtail made in it. 

 

 

Star test or planetary test. Morpheus 17,5 held in hand in a 1.5" hole. Saturn nice.... now have to wait, until the 2" mount is done.

 

[Phacops82]

My first guess is that it's German, but I can't match it to the common brands.

 

Second guess is Russian made, but no matches yet.

Russian prefer more heavy solutions, 10kg at least. They did classic long achromats at these focal lengths?

[Kasmos]

Russian prefer more heavy solutions, 10kg at least. They did classic long achromats at these focal lengths?

Yeah, more likely German.

[Phacops82]

Yeah, more likely German.

Can you write what producer might did it? What are the clues in favor of German origins. A lot of used equipment from Germany goes to ours, and it could have been that.

[Kasmos]

Can you write what producer might did it? What are the clues in favor of German origins. A lot of used equipment from Germany goes to ours, and it could have been that.

I haven't seen one that matches. The objective cell being the same diameter as the tube doesn't look like any I've found, but overall it looks more like what they did than any Japanese scope I can think of. Especially the focuser

 

The brands I first thought of were Butenschön and Komos

[Terra Nova]

To me, the OTA has an oddly ‘old Zeiss’ look.

[deSitter]

To me, the OTA has an oddly ‘old Zeiss’ look.

Same thought here.

 

-drl

[Werckmeister]

 

 

And of course the lens

2024-09-06_125322.jpg

This is achromatic dublet about 85mm. The focal length measured in the sun indicates 1300mm. So he is f15. He's sitting in a cell.

 

 

 My plan for it is to renovate it. It's already painted now. Then attach it to the tripod. I also need to make a converter from 2.5 to 2 inches. This scope is from time when 0.965 inch ruled Why is this 2,5" with a lot o space? I think it might have been an astrograph, or ATM.

What can be said about this scope?

That is a very nice find!! Are there no markings or a makers name on the lens cell? The lens looks very clear and I dont see any spacers, is it a cemented doublet? 
The paint looks like some old Meesters telescopes I have serviced, but not the overall design. The brouwnish stain may be nicotin.

[Phacops82]

No marks on the cell. Nothing at all except this FOK on focuser. This lens have no coatings on the glass. This focuser looks quite old so this may by pre-war scope? Color ot this scope may have changed during the time. I had cleaned this quite hard and this looked much less saturated, more like white. I have chosed to take this as white. This might be white as original or similar.

This should by cemented lens

Edited by Phacops82, 07 September 2024 - 03:14 PM.

[T1R2]

Could be an amateur job too, lens cell Zeiss, tube / focuser Polarex ...so maybe a amateur job to rehouse a old Zeiss lens. that's my guess.

[Phacops82]

1,5" eyspice standart and 2,5", when this was in use? I cannot find eany equipment with that size. When modern 1.25" and 2" where introduced? This may say how old the focuser is. 

[triplemon]

FOK could be a german akronym for fokus knob or adjuster. So may be no hint on the manufacturer.

[AaronM]

FOK was a name of Lichtenknecker drwatubes. But Lichtenknecker had allways engraved the name, he never used stickers. I guess its an ATM scope with part from different makers.

 

Grettings from germany, Michael Aaron

[Sean Cunneen]

That is a great find, very unique. The large focuser diameter indicates to me it was meant more for photography. Can you see if the focuser uses a rack and pinion? If the teeth are cut into the focuser barrel, I would say that indicates home made. If the rack is a separate piece screwed onto the barrel, then it was made commercially(my guess). I can say, that it shares little in design with Asian/Western designs. The focusing knobs, heft of the focuser, machining/indicator marks on the barrel (are those 10mm increments?) look towards a university build, probably local to you. Again, all guesses on my part. 

 

Sean

[Phacops82]

This is rack and pinion. The rack are cut not in the focus barel but in the separate metal part. I'm sure that this focuser is commercial one. Nobody would do this for fun. Much easier and cheaper is to buy this part. But the size 2,5" and weight 3kg (only for this part) makes me wonder why such large design? That is why I'm thinking about photography as a primary task to this scope. (Wery)Good ATM or not known commercial producer... I'm thinking to use this in ground photography. There is a special space where 1300mm is perfect tool. 

[Kasmos]

Based on what I found in a 1979 Kosmos catalog, my guess is that the focuser is a older Lichtenknecker.

I'm also guessing that at one time they had a bare brass draw tube.

 

(Above) FOK focuser from the 1979 Catalog (composite image)

 

Compare this tech art to the Mystery Achromat's focuser below

IMO, their configuration appears too similar, not to be related.

Plus why would it have a FOK sticker on it if it wasn't?

[deSitter]

Lichtenknecker!!! That's the name I couldn't place.

 

-drl

[Phacops82]

Based on what I found in a 1979 Kosmos catalog, my guess is that the focuser is a older Lichtenknecker.

I'm also guessing that at one time they had a bare brass draw tube.

 

FOK-Focuser.jpg

(Above) FOK focuser from the 1979 Catalog (composite image)

 

FOK-tech-art.jpg

Compare this tech art to the Mystery Achromat's focuser below

Mystery-Focuser.jpg

IMO, their configuration appears too similar, not to be related.

Plus why would it have a FOK sticker on it if it wasn't?

Thanks for sharing, this should be it. In general design this is the same. My looks much primitive or ancient. Is this company made only focuser? Did they have opportunity to make this scope, or who uses those focuser? Maybe the lens can be recognized. 

[Weisswurst Josef]

Lichtenknecker made Optics and complete Telescopes and Accessories.