Que peut-on photographier avec la Sky-Watcher Esprit-120ED ?

La Sky-Watcher Esprit-120ED est une lunette triplet apochromatique avec lentille FPL-53 de 120 mm d'ouverture pour 840 mm de focale (f/7), pensée d'abord pour l'astrophotographie du ciel profond. Sa focale vise les galaxies (M51, M101, le Triplet du Lion), les nébuleuses planétaires comme M27 et les amas globulaires, avec un bon niveau de détail. À f/7, son rapport classique demande des poses un peu plus longues, en échange d'étoiles très fines.

Quelle caméra lui associer ?

Avec une caméra APS-C à pixels de 3,76 µm (capteur Sony IMX571), vous obtenez environ 0,92″ par pixel pour un champ de 1,6° × 1,1°. C'est un échantillonnage fin : par turbulence moyenne, un binning 2×2 ou un réducteur donne des étoiles plus rondes. Avec le réducteur 0,77×, on passe à 1,2″ par pixel et 2,1° × 1,4°.

Faut-il ajouter un aplanisseur de champ ?

Non, le correcteur de champ est fourni : il aplanit le champ pour des étoiles nettes jusque dans les coins. Le réducteur dédié ( Réducteur / Correcteur 0.77x pour Esprit-120ED ) la porte à 647 mm à f/5,4.

Quel backfocus faut-il respecter ?

75 mm depuis l’aplanisseur fourni ; filetage M62×1 ; 55 mm depuis M48 avec réducteur 0,77×. Ce tirage se mesure du filetage jusqu'au capteur, bagues, roue à filtres et tiroir compris : le respecter au millimètre près garde des étoiles rondes dans les coins.

Quelle monture prévoir ?

Le tube pèse environ 9,6 kg ; avec la caméra, la roue à filtres et le guidage, comptez autour de 11,1 kg : visez une monture de la classe EQ6-R Pro. Une lunette ne demande aucune collimation : une fois équilibrée, elle est prête dès qu'elle est à température. Avec 75 cm de long, elle se range sans peine dans le coffre.

Peut-on aussi l'utiliser en visuel ?

Oui, en bonus : avec un renvoi coudé et un oculaire, elle offre des images contrastées et sans fausses couleurs sur la Lune, les planètes et les étoiles doubles, jusqu'à environ 240×.

Sky-Watcher Esprit-120ED - Deep space astronomy

Name: Sky-Watcher Esprit-120ED - Deep space astronomy
Brand: Sky-Watcher
Price: 2129.00 CHF
Availability: BackOrder

Product description

Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED APO Triplet - Super APO f/7 full-frame corrected refractor

The Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED is a refractor apochromatic triplet high-performance lens designed for astrophotography and high-magnification observation. Supplied with a field corrector doubletit delivers a perfectly flat field and minimizes aberrations and distortions on full-format sensors. Sound 3-inch linear focuser ensures precise, stable focusing, while the knife-edge diaphragm system and multilayer treatments guarantee high contrast, with no perceptible halo or colored fringing.

Highlights

APO premium triplet optics chromatic reference correction, no visible color fringe even on very shiny objects.
Doublet field corrector Full-format image flatness, sharp stars from edge to edge. Attention not included.
48 mm opening wide illumination for high-resolution sensors, extremely low halos.
Short focal length & f/7 ideal for nebulae, clusters and medium-sized galaxies.
Focuser 3″ Linear Power : stable optical train, heavy loads accepted, top-notch map accuracy.
High-transmission treatments and internal baffles contrast and micro-detail preserved.
High-end accessories : 2″ dielectric elbow (with 1.25″ adapter), RACI 8×50 finder scope, clamp, and mounting bar.

What the tests say

"The Esprit 120 really performed!" - "Stellar images as sharp, aberration-free and colorless as the best".
"Its performance matches the best on the market at a competitive price.
Alan Dyer, SkyNews

Recommended applications

Full-format astrophotography flat field and round stars to the corners of the sensor.
High-resolution observation Moon, planets, double stars - high pique.
Big deep sky f/7 and 840 mm for detailed nebulae and open clusters.

Included / Material supplied

Telescope Esprit 120ED Triplet APO
Focuser 3″ Linear Power, bushings and screws
2″ Elbow Fitting dielectric (1.25-inch adapter)
Researcher 8×50 RACI
LET 28 mm eyepiece
Set of clamps and tube clamps

Why choose Esprit 120ED?

Reference image quality sharpness, contrast and chromatic control on a par with the best.
Full format native flat field and wide illumination (48 mm aperture).
Complete package ready for astrophotography and demanding visuals right out of the box.

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Frequently asked questions

What can you photograph with the Sky-Watcher Esprit-120ED?

The Sky-Watcher Esprit-120ED is an apochromatic triplet refractor with a 120-mm-aperture FPL-53 lens and a focal length of 840 mm (f/7), designed primarily for deep-sky astrophotography. Its focal length is ideal for observing galaxies (M51, M101, the Leo Triplet), planetary nebulae such as M27, and globular clusters, with a good level of detail. At f/7, its standard aperture ratio requires slightly longer exposure times, but in return produces very fine star points.

Which camera should I pair it with?

With an APS-C camera featuring 3.76 µm pixels (Sony IMX571 sensor), you get approximately 0.92″ per pixel for a field of view of 1.6° × 1.1°. This is a fine resolution: under moderate turbulence, 2×2 pixel binning or a reducer will produce rounder stars. With the 0.77× reducer, the resolution increases to 1.2″ per pixel and a field of view of 2.1° × 1.4°.

Should we add a field leveler?

No, the field corrector is included: it flattens the field to ensure sharp stars all the way to the corners. The dedicated reducer (0.77x Reducer / Corrector for Esprit-120ED) the aperture to 647 mm at f/5.4.

What backfocus should be used?

75 mm from the supplied flattener; M62×1 thread; 55 mm from M48 with a 0.77× reducer. This focal length is measured from the thread to the sensor, including the rings, filter wheel, and shutter: adhering to this measurement to the nearest millimeter ensures that stars remain round at the edges.

What kind of frame should I choose?

The tube weighs about 9.6 kg; with the camera, filter wheel, and guide scope, expect it to weigh around 11.1 kg: aim for an EQ6-R Pro-class mount. A refractor requires no collimation: once balanced, it’s ready to use as soon as it reaches operating temperature. At 75 cm long, it fits easily in the trunk.

Can it also be used as a visual?

Yes, as a bonus: with an angled mirror and an eyepiece, it provides high-contrast, color-accurate images of the Moon, the planets, and double stars, up to about 240×.

Technical specifications

Optical type: Apochromatic bezel
Diameter: 120 mm
Focal length: 840 mm
Focal Ratio (f/D): f/7.0
Maximum magnification: 240 ×
Separating power: 0.97″
Backfocus: 75 mm from the supplied faceplate; M62×1 thread; 55 mm from M48 with a 0.77× reducer
Corrector / Reducer Available: Yes
Conversion tools / reducers in-store: Sky-Watcher Esprit-120ED & 120EDX Field Corrector, 0.77x Reducer / Corrector for Esprit-120ED
Tube length: 75 cm
Tube weight: 9.6 kg
Uses: Visual, Planetary, Deep Sky, Astrophotography

How to Care for Your Instrument

Here are a few accessories we've selected for this model, depending on your needs.

0.77x Reducer / Corrector for Esprit-120ED

Optional 0.77× reducer-corrector for the Esprit 120ED: It replaces the 1× field corrector when such a corrector is used, without stacking them. The contents of the telescope kit are to be confirmed. Check the connections and focus with your camera.

CHF 419.00

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