telescopecomparison · 2-way
TEC APO140FL f/9.6 vs Explore Scientific ED152 FCD-100
TEC
APO140FL f/9.6
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Explore Scientific
ED152 FCD-100
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a permanent observatory setup.
Key differences
+18% focal length
-8% aperture
Slower by 2.1 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | TEC APO140FL f/9.6 | Explore Scientific ED152 FCD-100 |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | refractor | refractor |
| Optical design | Apo triplet fluorite | Apo triplet FCD-100 |
| Aperture | 140mm | 152mm |
| Focal length | 1345mm | 1140mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/9.6 | f/7.5 |
| Image circle | — | 52mm |
| Full-frame support | No | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 7.7kg | 12.0kg |
Advantages of TEC APO140FL f/9.6
- Tighter framing — 1345mm vs 1140mm focal length
- Lighter (7.7kg vs 12kg) — easier to travel with
Advantages of Explore Scientific ED152 FCD-100
- Wider field — 1140mm vs 1345mm focal length
- Faster optics at f/7.5 vs f/9.6
- Larger image circle (52mm) — supports bigger sensors
Best for — TEC APO140FL f/9.6
- Small galaxies, planetary nebulae, lunar & planetary detail
- High-resolution long-exposure work
Best for — Explore Scientific ED152 FCD-100
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
TEC APO140FL f/9.6 — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.53° × 1.02°Scale: 0.58"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.00° × 0.67°Scale: 0.58"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.48° × 0.48°Scale: 0.58"/px
Explore Scientific ED152 FCD-100 — 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 APO140FL f/9.6 — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Explore Scientific ED152 FCD-100 — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a permanent observatory setup.
