Askar 60F Quadruplet Flat-Field Refractor: A First Look

Introduction

Askar has announced the 60F, a 60mm apochromatic quadruplet flat-field refractor designed around astrophotographers and visual observers alike. It is positioned as a widefield imaging companion, and the early specifications suggest a scope that is easy to live with while still delivering a large, well-corrected field.

The headline number is the 44mm corrected imaging circle, which is generous for a 60mm aperture and opens up framing options that smaller corrected circles struggle with. Here is what we know so far about this compact quadruplet.

Optical Design and Specifications

The Askar 60F is a 60mm quadruplet refractor using a 3+1 lens design with one layer of extra-low dispersion glass. It has a focal length of 408mm and a focal ratio of F/6.8, which sits just shy of F/7. Total weight is a modest 6 lbs.

That slightly slower focal ratio is a deliberate trade-off with real advantages. First, the 44mm corrected imaging circle is less sensitive than that of a faster refractor, so you should see less coma or field curvature toward the edges of the field. Second, focusing at F/7 is far less critical than focusing a much faster optic at F/2 or F/4, which makes achieving sharp focus easier night after night. The scope is also expected to pair exceptionally well with most cameras on the market, allowing users with smaller pixel size sensors to get close to maximizing the possible resolution.

What Targets Suit the 60F

The field of view is the real selling point here. It is large enough to frame medium and wide targets such as the Andromeda Galaxy, the Orion Nebula, the Rosette Nebula, and the Pleiades Star Cluster. For anyone who has outgrown a smaller camera lens but does not want to move to a long, heavy instrument, that framing flexibility matters.

Because this is a quadruplet, the field flattener is built into the optical design. That means critical back focus and spacing are not required, as long as your imaging train and camera can come to focus. You get a flat field across the full 44mm corrected circle with no extra reducers or field flatteners needed, which removes one of the most fiddly parts of setting up an imaging train.

Focuser, Framing and Accessories

The mechanical package looks well thought out for a scope of this size. Askar includes a dual-speed 10:1 ratio rack and pinion focuser with electronic autofocus (EAF) compatibility, plus a built-in 360-degree rotator for precise framing of your target.

Visual observers are not forgotten. The box includes a 1.25-inch and 2-inch eyepiece adapter for visual use, and the package extends to two finder bases for additional equipment, a handlebar for even more accessories, a retractable dew shield, and a vixen-style dovetail. A photographic adapter set with threads matching the most popular cameras on the market rounds out the included hardware.

Who the Askar 60F Is For

So far, the 60F looks like a very versatile option for anyone wanting a high-performing refractor for astrophotography, visual use, or both. It appears to be a fantastic upgrade path from a smaller camera lens, and a natural widefield companion to a larger, longer focal length Newtonian or RC that covers tighter targets.

The combination of a built-in flattener, a generous corrected circle, forgiving focus behaviour, and a light 6-lb tube makes this an approachable scope for anyone stepping up their widefield imaging without overcomplicating their setup. Real-world optical performance under clear skies will be the final judge, but the specification sheet makes a convincing case.

Conclusion

The Askar 60F flat-field quadruplet brings together a 44mm corrected imaging circle, a built-in flattener that removes spacing headaches, and a light, well-accessorized tube in one compact package. For widefield imagers and visual observers looking for a flexible 60mm refractor, this is one worth watching. The 60F is available for pre-order.