Askar SQA130 Quintuplet Petzval Astrograph 130mm f/4.8

Askar SQA130 Quintuplet Petzval Astrograph — 130mm f/4.8

The Askar SQA130 is the flagship of the SQA Series — a 130mm aperture, 624mm focal length, f/4.8 quintuplet air-spaced Petzval astrograph built for serious deep-sky astrophotographers who demand the maximum combination of aperture, focal length, and speed in a Petzval-design refractor. Two pieces of SD glass provide premium chromatic correction, and the 55mm medium-format image circle covers sensors up to 55mm diagonal, including cameras like the QHY600 series and ZWO ASI6200.

At 624mm focal length and f/4.8, the SQA130 is the most capable instrument in the SQA range for detailed imaging of compact nebulae, galaxies, and galaxy groups, while the Petzval design still eliminates the need for an external flattener. Rear adapters include M48, M54, and M68. The optional SQA Series Handle Bar and Heightening Section are compatible. The OTA ships with an Oxford cloth case.

Who Is This Product Best For?

• Advanced and observatory-level astrophotographers with large-payload equatorial mounts seeking maximum aperture and focal length in a fast Petzval refractor.
• Medium-format imagers requiring a 55mm image circle for their full sensor coverage.
• Deep-sky imagers targeting galaxies, planetary nebulae, and compact emission regions that benefit from 624mm focal length at f/4.8.
• Dedicated observatory setups where the weight and size of the SQA130 are not a constraint.

Why Choose the Askar SQA130?

• Flagship 130mm aperture at f/4.8 — the most powerful combination of aperture and speed in the SQA Series.
• 624mm focal length — the longest in the series, ideal for detailed imaging of galaxies and compact objects.
• Medium-format 55mm image circle — full coverage for the largest astrocamera sensors available.
• Two pieces of SD glass — the same premium chromatic correction as the SQA106 and SQA85.
• No flattener required — quintuplet Petzval design is flat-field natively across 55mm.
• M48, M54, and M68 rear adapters — broadest sensor coverage.

Recommended Uses

• Advanced deep-sky astrophotography (galaxies, compact nebulae, galaxy clusters)
• Narrowband and broadband long-integration imaging
• Medium-format astrocamera imaging
• Observatory and fixed-pier setups

Compatibility and Accessory Notes

Camera connections: M48, M54, and M68 adapters included. Recommended back focus 55mm; usable range 46–76mm.

Optional accessories: SQA Series Handle Bar, SQA Series Heightening Section.

Mount requirements: At 11.76kg gross, a mount rated for at least 18–20kg payload is strongly recommended for stable imaging. This is a large-aperture observatory-class instrument.

Important Limitations

• Substantial weight and size — at 9.18kg OTA and 11.76kg gross, the SQA130 requires a serious mount and is not suitable for portable setups or travel.
• Not for visual observing — no eyepiece holder or visual adapter.
• Electronic focuser not included — requires a separately purchased motor adapter for auto-focus.
• Significant investment — this is the top model in the SQA Series and priced accordingly. Ensure the mount and camera system justify this level of instrument.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the SQA130 compare to the SQA106?
The SQA130 has 130mm vs 106mm aperture, 624mm vs 509mm focal length, and 11.76kg vs 8.12kg gross weight. Both share the same f/4.8 speed and 55mm image circle. The SQA130 provides more aperture and a longer focal length for more detailed imaging, but requires a significantly heavier mount.

Is this suitable for travel?
No. The SQA130 is an observatory-class instrument. At nearly 12kg gross, it is best suited to fixed or semi-permanent mount setups.

Our Recommendation

At Ontario Telescope and Accessories, the Askar SQA130 is for astrophotographers who have reached the limits of smaller instruments and need the maximum aperture, speed, and focal length a Petzval refractor can offer. It is the definitive choice for serious imagers with the mount to support it.

Optical Diagram Reports