Here’s a rare gem that I picked up from a semi-local seller a couple of days ago, a vintage AP Star12 ED from the 1990-1991 era. It’s a 120mm f/8.5 air-spaced doublet with an ED element consisting of either FPL-51 or -52 glass, depending upon which source you read, and I don’t believe that AP ever disclosed this for sure.
A friend of mine has had one of these for about 15 years, and I got the chance to do some H-alpha solar observing with his at a star party last fall. So when I saw another one up for sale I was intrigued, especially since the seller was willing to meet me a little over an hour away from where I live.
The scope has a few paint chips here and there and a couple of very shallow tube indentations, but nothing too objectionable. The most important parts, the optics and the focuser, are in very nice shape for a 35-year-old scope.
Edited by Scott in NC, 16 March 2025 - 04:33 PM.