Best Askar Telescopes for Astrophotography: A Quick Guide

Askar specializes in high-quality refractor telescopes, a popular choice among astrophotographers for their sharp optics, low maintenance, and portability. These telescopes use lenses and are especially valued for delivering crisp stars with minimal chromatic aberration. Askar offers several series—each designed for different users, from beginners to advanced imagers. In this blog, we’ll briefly explore the main differences between their series and compare the individual telescopes using a practical overview table.

Before diving into the series, let’s first look at the key specifications that define a telescope’s purpose and performance:

• Aperture: This is the diameter of the front lens. A larger aperture gathers more light, revealing fainter details.
• Focal Length: The distance from the lens to the image plane. Longer focal lengths offer higher magnification and narrower fields of view.
• F/Ratio (Focal Ratio): Calculated by dividing focal length by aperture. A lower f/ratio (e.g., f/4–f/6) is faster and better for wide-field astrophotography. A higher f/ratio (e.g., f/7+) may offer more contrast and be better for planetary viewing.
• Triplet vs. Quadruplet vs. Quintuplet: These refer to the number of lens elements in the main optical group. Triplets offer excellent correction with three lenses (typically including ED glass). Quadruplets and quintuplets add extra elements—often to flatten the field, improve color correction, or reduce optical aberrations. More elements usually mean better image quality, especially across larger sensors, but also more cost and weight.
• ED and SD Glass: ED (Extra-low Dispersion) and SD (Super Dispersion) elements help to reduce chromatic aberration. SD glass typically has even lower dispersion than standard ED glass, providing superior control over color fringing and resulting in sharper, higher-contrast images. The combination of ED and SD elements in a telescope is a mark of premium optical design.

A Brief History of Askar

Askar is a brand under the Chinese company Sharpstar Optics, which has gained a strong following in the astrophotography community over the last few years. Initially recognized for offering excellent value in apochromatic refractors, Askar telescopes quickly rose in popularity thanks to their smart designs, integrated field flatteners, and consistent optical performance. Their focus on making astrographs that work seamlessly out of the box—without needing additional accessories—resonated with both newcomers and advanced users alike. Askar continues to innovate, recently expanding their lineup with larger aperture scopes and modular options that adapt to a wide range of imaging needs.

Askar’s Telescope Series Explained

FRA Series (Flatfield Refractive Astrograph)

These are quintuplet refractors with a built-in field flattener. Ideal for astrophotographers who want a flat field across full-frame sensors with minimal fuss.

• Best for: Dedicated astrophotography.
• Pros: No need for an external flattener, excellent image quality, no back focus worries, fast f/ratio.
• Cons: Heavier and more expensive than triplet APOs.

PHQ Series (Photo-Quadruplet)

The PHQ series are quadruplet astrographs with a fixed, native flat field—meaning you don’t need a separate flattener.

• Best for: Serious astrophotographers.
• Pros: Flat field, high-quality build, no back focus worries.
• Cons: Larger and heavier than APOs, higher f/ratio.

APO Series

Classic air-spaced triplet apochromats with one ED element, suitable for both visual observation and astrophotography (with a separate field flattener or reducer).

• Best for: Users wanting dual-purpose scopes.
• Pros: Versatile, proven design.
• Cons: Needs extra accessories for imaging.

SQA Series

A newer line of quintuplet astrographs with a combination of ED and SD glass, focused purely on the highest quality astrophotography.

• Best for: Dedicated, full-frame imaging with tight star control.
• Pros: Great correction, built-in flattener, no back-focus worries.
• Cons: Premium pricing.

FMA Series

Tiny and lightweight, these are portable triplets with a reducer/flattener included. Great for beginners or wide-field imaging.

• Best for: Travel and entry-level imaging.
• Pros: Ultra-portable, budget-friendly.
• Cons: Limited aperture.

V Series

These modular triplet APOs include interchangeable rear accessories, allowing them to serve as visual scopes, astrographs, or spotting scopes. Extra field flatteners and reducers are available for astrophotography purposes.

• Best for: Flexibility and experimentation.
• Pros: Multi-use, high-quality optics.
• Cons: Need extra accessories for optimal imaging performance.

Askar Telescopes Comparison Table

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re looking for a portable travel scope, a flat-field imaging powerhouse, or a flexible APO for both viewing and photography, Askar offers something for everyone. The key is knowing what type of imaging you want to do and picking the series that fits that need best. If you’re just starting out, the FMA or APOs are affordable entry points. For those more advanced, the PHQ, FRA, and SQA lines offer premium performance with minimal hassle.

Clear skies!