156 replies to this topic

[AGrayson]

Thoughts? Was planning on getting a redcat 51 for my setup when I've saved enough.

Curious as to how it will perform, especially compared to the mid focal length camera lenses such as the samyang 135...

https://youtu.be/_Uq...WbU7IhLgTsabzW1

[Voyager_sr2]

I preordered it immediately after marketing email came in. Was deciding on whether to get RedCat 51 or at60edp or 135 lens for planned remote setup and this guy kinda in the middle of them.

I just hope it is a real Petzval and not like Pleiades...

[PeteConrad]

It’s essentially a faster FMA 180 Pro. As a FMA owner, I’m intrigued. F3.5 would be a nice upgrade. 

[Phillip Creed]

I'd be more intrigued if there was a MiniCat61, bumping the focal length a bit past 200mm but maintaining f/3.5.  But I suppose that's what the 68mm f/3.8 is for.

Clear Skies,

Phil

[tk421]

I’m thinking about it. I would have preferred something closer to 135mm.

[prostcj]

I placed an order but will have to wait and see.  

[Jireh]

I immediately pre-ordered one as well. I already have a RedCat 51 and had been considering buying a second one to capture twice the data on clear nights. Now I'm wondering if it was a mistake and should I have just bought a second RedCat 51 instead. But I do love some widefield imaging and I was immediately intrigued by the wider field of view.

[rapture91]

I also own the Askar FMA180 Pro and have been really happy with it. However, f/3.5 and 51 mm of aperture sound like a nice upgrade

[Zambiadarkskies]

That looks really interesting.  I have always been wanting a replacement for my Nikkor 180 f2.8 that is better suited for astro and does not have a helical focuser.  The pre-order is tempting.... 

[Foobaria]

Minicat51, i was going to ask same thing but you beat me to it.   Looks interesting, fast f ratio f/3.5, but FL 178, is that "too wide" ?   Portability is a plus.   6 elements.. don't give me another Pleiades design please, want the "no backfocus requirement" Petzval.   Looks like Agena is having a hard time getting enough of them. 

[Voyager_sr2]

Minicat51, i was going to ask same thing but you beat me to it.   Looks interesting, fast f ratio f/3.5, but FL 178, is that "too wide" ?   Portability is a plus.   6 elements.. don't give me another Pleiades design please, want the "no backfocus requirement" Petzval.   Looks like Agena is having a hard time getting enough of them. 

High Point Scientific video states that we don't have to fit in 55 mm backfocus. I think WO have learned something from that disaster launch of Pleiades

[Foobaria]

High Point Scientific video states that we don't have to fit in 55 mm backfocus. I think WO have learned something from that disaster launch of Pleiades

Yep I had one of the first Pleiades 68, its was quite an ordeal.  Now, I'm only buying Petzval (e.g., Redcat or other).  I've owned an RC61 and an RC71, but sold last one to move, now looking again. 

[jameslew]

I pre-ordered tonight; from looking at Agena Astro's site the first batch was allocated the first day so who knows how long it will take.  Then again, my AM5n is also delayed.  'salright, the PNW weather has started to do its yearly grey sheet thing so it probably doesn't matter anyway whether it's here now or March (other than instant gratification fever.).

[Agena Astro]

>>Looks like Agena is having a hard time getting enough

 

It's not just us - every dealer will have the same issue. As noted on our site, William Optics told us to start taking pre-orders, and then told us a day later that the first batch will be *extremely* limited (like in the mid single digits!) with no ETA for subsequent shipments.

 

Sincerely,

Tom

AgenaAstro.com

[Foobaria]

>>Looks like Agena is having a hard time getting enough

 

It's not just us - every dealer will have the same issue. As noted on our site, William Optics told us to start taking pre-orders, and then told us a day later that the first batch will be *extremely* limited (like in the mid single digits!) with no ETA for subsequent shipments.

 

Sincerely,

Tom

AgenaAstro.com

Yeah i think its either a supply problem on WO side, or maybe an unexpected higher demand.  

[jlinsobe]

$898.00 usd is still a bit high.  

 

Hopefully they won’t charge an extra $100.00 for the MiniSpaceCat, if it ever comes out.

 

I’m still wondering why the Spacecat 51 WIFD is $100 more than the redcat 51 wifd.   

[dtripz]

$898.00 usd is still a bit high.  

 

Hopefully they won’t charge an extra $100.00 for the MiniSpaceCat, if it ever comes out.

 

I’m still wondering why the Spacecat 51 WIFD is $100 more than the redcat 51 wifd.   

It's a collectors edition, so priced appropriately for what I imagine is a much smaller run. Looks very nice though. WO posted the spacecat mini to their FB page

Edited by dtripz, 06 October 2024 - 02:07 AM.

[akdwivedi]

If it performs like redact, it will hell of a mini telescope. I like that it has proper focuser. I m not big fan of helical focuser.

[rapture91]

Did you guys already have a look at the spot diagram published on their website?

https://williamoptic...pg?v=1725444961

I‘m not an expert unfortunately. Are those values good for such a fast system? Compared to the Redcat 51, both RMS and GEO radii are higher of course..

[msamazing]

Have any of you who bought the RedCat Mini 51 use a wide field camera with an OAG?  The ZWO OAG makes the back focus too long.  If I use a guide scope, I don’t know where to place an ASIAIR or Pegasus Power Box.

[tk421]

I have made a custom ASIAir plate for the Redcat 51 and 71. I’ll take a pic and send you this evening.

[rapture91]

I have been using the ZWO OAG (16.5 mm optimal length) in combination with a filter wheel (21 mm length) and the uncooled ZWO ASI533 MC for my Askar FMA180 Pro, which requires exactly 55 mm backfocus.

Do you use accessories exceeding 55 to 59 mm?

I was in contact with WO support and they told me to stay below 58 mm regarding backfocus.

Cheers,
Johannes

[fmendes]

Have any of you who bought the RedCat Mini 51 use a wide field camera with an OAG?  The ZWO OAG makes the back focus too long.  If I use a guide scope, I don’t know where to place an ASIAIR or Pegasus Power Box.

 

I'm using the regular RedCat 51 with a cheapo OAG (Astromania, I believe) without issues. Back focus is not relevant on Petzval designs, as long as you can achieve focus.

[Andy Lucy]

There is now some interesting information on the WO website for the Minicat 51.

 

It says “Due to the nature of MiniCat’s fast aperture optical design, edge stars may not be as round as with other RedCats. However, our tests show it still outperforms conventional lenses. With aberration correction software like BXT, peripheral distortions can be perfectly corrected on APS-C sensors, while Full Frame may need some fine-tuning for even better results.”

https://williamoptic...re_after_NfE4EE

 

One of the images shown, an aberration inspector taken from an image of M24 using a APS-C sensor, shows pretty poor star shapes in the edges and corners.  Possibly this is why they recommend using BXT software.

 

Although the Minicat is called a Petzval design, the manual has a short section called “Ultra Flat Back Focus Adjustment” and shows the insertion of a pvc gasket into the optical train as a means of adjusting backfocus, along with a picture of what happens with the wrong backfocus.  

https://support.will...ocus-adjustment

The aberration inspector image of M24 actually looks to me as if the back focus distance was incorrect (camera sensor too close).

 

Andy

[fmendes]

There is now some interesting information on the WO website for the Minicat 51.

 

It says “Due to the nature of MiniCat’s fast aperture optical design, edge stars may not be as round as with other RedCats. However, our tests show it still outperforms conventional lenses. 

 

Andy

 

Cof, cof, Rokinon 135mm. Sharp at APS-C corners at f/2.8.