telescopecomparison · 2-way
Astro-Physics 190mm f/6 StarFire CS vs TEC APO180FL f/7
Astro-Physics
190mm f/6 StarFire CS
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a permanent observatory setup.
TEC
APO180FL f/7
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Key differences
-10% focal length
+6% aperture
Faster by 1.0 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Astro-Physics 190mm f/6 StarFire CS | TEC APO180FL f/7 |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | refractor | refractor |
| Optical design | Christen Superachromat (4-element) | Apo triplet fluorite |
| Aperture | 190mm | 180mm |
| Focal length | 1140mm | 1260mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/6.0 | f/7.0 |
| Image circle | 64mm | — |
| Full-frame support | Yes | No |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 17.7kg | — |
Advantages of Astro-Physics 190mm f/6 StarFire CS
- Faster optics at f/6 vs f/7
- Larger image circle (64mm) — supports bigger sensors
Advantages of TEC APO180FL f/7
- Tighter framing — 1260mm vs 1140mm focal length
Best for — Astro-Physics 190mm f/6 StarFire CS
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — TEC APO180FL f/7
- Small galaxies, planetary nebulae, lunar & planetary detail
Astro-Physics 190mm f/6 StarFire CS — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.81° × 1.21°Scale: 0.68"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.18° × 0.79°Scale: 0.68"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.57° × 0.57°Scale: 0.68"/px
TEC APO180FL f/7 — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.64° × 1.09°Scale: 0.62"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.07° × 0.71°Scale: 0.62"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.51° × 0.51°Scale: 0.62"/px
Astro-Physics 190mm f/6 StarFire CS — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a permanent observatory setup.
TEC APO180FL f/7 — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
