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Building Fine Telescopes and Optical Accessories

for enthusiasts!

For a limited time, our custom built optical tube assemblies (OTA's) are featuring Zeiss AS doublets, which are some of the finest objectives ever built by Carl Zeiss. Considering the rather long span of time these were built, the actual number of lenses produced (at the Aus Jena plant), was relatively small.

The legendary AS line of objectives have beat back the competition even as technologies continued improving lens making possibilities. In fact, they compete with many modern day triplets in terms of pure resolution.

The unique history of Carl Zeiss AS objectives has now put them in historical demand.

Smaller AS objectives are commanding $1,000. plus US while AS 150mm objectives top $5000. US. Apotel purchased a few of these incredible objectives in their original wooden boxes and can now offer a small quantity of Telescope OTA's worthy of these fine lenses.

AS objectives deliver razor sharp images, with better contrast and color correction than many triplets built today. These objectives were hand figured by master opticians. Each lens being completed start to finish by a single optician. The particular optician making the lens can be identified by the associated serial number on the lens cell. Carl Zeiss was known to use a special formula glass for the AS line. Unlike BAK7 and flint normally used in doublets.

Apotel is currently offering the last of our Carl Zeiss Objectives in our custom built optical tube assemblies starting at $1995.00 US with C objective. (CZ C 80/500mm)

$1995.00 for C80/500mm OTA, $1695.00 (without rail)

$2795.00 for AS 63/840mm OTA

$2495.00 for AS 80/840mm OTA (without rail)

$2895.00 for AS 80/1200 OTA extra costs due to addition of variable tube FS for necessary back focus.

$5495.00 for the AS 100/1000mm OTA

$9,995.00 for our AS 150 OTA, complete with custom built moveable extension tube, tube rings, balance bar with weights and 8X50 finder are included.

OTA features include...

High grade seamless aluminum tubes

Solid stock aluminum rail with machined radius to match tube. Except AS 150mm OTA.

Machined tubes for accurate alignment of all components

All metal knife edge internal baffles

Tail assemblies are completed with a CNC lathe to incorporate many

internal anti-reflection rings. The rear assembly threads into the optical tube as does the complete optical component assembly for highly accurate alignment with the optical axis.

The entire tube is cleaned and acid etched prior to applying primer and two coats of commercial quality paint with the option of clear coating.

All interior parts have a special flat black double coating to prevent glare.

Starlight Instruments dual speed Feather Touch Focus Systems

For more information contact Chuck Julian Cj@apotel.com

ph 203-247-6666

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apotel optical tube assemblies with Carl Zeiss AS 80/840mm objectives

The objective ring has three sets of threads, one for the objective lens cell, one for the dew shield and one that threads into the body of the optical tube. The tail assembly is carefully squared to the optical axis by accurately threading it into the optical tube, thus requiring a more complex machining process. Engineering detail and our dedication for precisely manufacturing all components contribute to overall alignment of the optical system which also provides the finished telescope with a clean and elegant look, once assembled.

Apotel provides our customers with Starlight Instruments Feather Touch 2 inch focus systems (FTF 2025 2.5 inch travel) unless otherwise specified.