Askar is continuing to grow its F Series astrograph lineup with a larger aperture option designed for astrophotographers who want strong optical performance without sacrificing real-world usability in the field. The new 131F feels purpose-built for imagers who value reliable mechanics, clean stars across the frame, and a setup process that stays refreshingly straightforward whether you are imaging from the backyard or running longer sessions under dark skies.
We are excited to officially launch the 131F alongside its dedicated 0.74x reducer. The telescope features a 131mm aperture, a 983mm focal length, and a native focal ratio of f/7.5, giving it the reach and resolving power many deep sky imagers look for when targeting galaxies, detailed nebula structures, and dense star fields. With the reducer installed, the system becomes even faster and more versatile, opening the door to wider framing and shorter integration times while still maintaining the image quality the F Series has become known for.
The Askar 131F uses a quadruplet optical design with three elements in the front and one in the rear, including a carefully selected ED glass element to help suppress chromatic aberration. In practical use, that translates into tighter stars, cleaner color correction, and a more refined image across the field when paired with today’s modern astronomy cameras.
The larger 131mm aperture gives the system noticeably stronger light gathering capability, helping bring out faint dust lanes, subtle nebular structure, and dim outer regions that smaller refractors can struggle to reveal. At the same time, the 983mm focal length offers enough reach to frame smaller deep sky targets with satisfying detail while still remaining manageable on a wide variety of mounts.
For imagers working with broadband or narrowband filters, the color correction here should also help reduce the amount of cleanup needed during processing. Star colors remain more natural and controlled, and there is less time spent correcting unwanted fringing or bloated stars afterward. It is the kind of design approach that makes long imaging sessions feel smoother from capture all the way through final processing.
Designed specifically for the Askar 131F, the dedicated 0.74x reducer transforms the system into a much faster F5.6 astrograph while still supporting a generous 44mm full frame image circle. That means full frame users can enjoy wide, well illuminated fields without aggressive cropping, while APS-C and smaller sensor users gain even more room for tilt adjustment and backfocus flexibility.
Moving from F7.5 down to F5.6 gives the 131F a noticeably faster imaging pace, helping pull in faint detail more efficiently and shortening exposure times for the same signal level. For many imagers, that can make a real difference during limited clear nights or when building deeper multi-night projects.
The 131F ships with a photographic extension tube featuring a built in 2 inch filter thread, along with both M48 x 0.75 and M54 x 0.75 adapters for broad compatibility with DSLR and dedicated astronomy cameras. The goal here feels very practical — giving imagers a setup that works cleanly with common camera trains without needing a pile of specialty adapters.
The dedicated 0.74x reducer package also includes an extension tube along with M54 x 0.75 and M48 x 0.75 adapter rings that attach directly to the reducer for a straightforward installation process. A built in M48 x 0.75 filter thread on the rear adapter allows direct mounting of 2 inch filters, helping keep the optical train compact and tidy. That smaller, more controlled imaging train can also help reduce flexure and make balancing easier on mid to large class equatorial mounts during longer imaging sessions.
With a refractor in the 131mm class, mechanical stability matters just as much as optical quality, especially during long imaging sessions and overnight runs. The Askar 131F is clearly designed with astrophotography in mind, using secure threaded connections and a solid focuser setup to help keep the imaging train stable through slews, meridian flips, and long tracking periods.
The included adapters and extension tube allow for a rigid, well-aligned connection path that helps keep the camera square to the optical axis. Integrated filter threading at multiple points also helps maintain more consistent spacing, particularly when the dedicated reducer is part of the setup. For imagers switching between DSLR bodies and cooled astronomy cameras, the included adapters make those transitions feel straightforward without needing to completely rebuild the imaging train each time.
The compact rear configuration also leaves enough room for accessories like rotators or tilt adjusters while keeping cable routing relatively clean and manageable.
At its native focal ratio, the 131F is especially well suited for targets where image scale and detail matter most. Small galaxies, planetary nebulae, globular clusters, and tighter deep sky regions benefit from the 983mm focal length along with the telescope’s controlled color correction and clean star rendering.
With the dedicated 0.74x reducer installed, the system becomes much more versatile for larger nebulae, expansive dust regions, and mosaic style imaging projects where faster acquisition times are valuable. The supported 44mm image circle also gives full frame users the ability to take advantage of wider fields while still maintaining strong corner performance once spacing and tilt are properly tuned.
Like many well-designed refractors, the 131F should also offer relatively quick thermal stabilization along with stable focus behavior throughout an imaging session, helping make long nights under the stars feel a bit smoother and more predictable.
The Askar 131F includes both M48 and M54 connection pathways, making it easy to integrate with most modern filter drawers, filter wheels, off-axis guiders, and imaging accessories without turning setup into a complicated adapter hunt.
DSLR users can attach their camera with a standard T-ring and get imaging fairly quickly, while dedicated astronomy camera users can assemble more advanced imaging trains that maintain proper backfocus using the included extension components. The overall layout feels thoughtfully designed for real-world astrophotography workflows rather than requiring excessive customization just to get started.
One of the more appealing aspects of the dedicated 0.74x reducer is the flexibility it adds to the system. Imagers can move between longer focal length work for smaller galaxies and tighter targets, then switch into a faster, wider-field configuration for nebula season or mosaic projects without needing an entirely separate telescope. That versatility makes the 131F feel like a system capable of adapting alongside different imaging goals throughout the year.
Aperture size: 131mm
Focal length: 983mm
Focal ratio: f/7.5
Objective lens: Quadruplet air-spaced APO(including one ED glass)
Image circle: 44mm
Maximum accessory connection (with the focuser fully retreated):
- Imaging mode:
73mm (from the base of M48×0.75 male thread), 91mm(from the base of M54×0.75 male thread)
- Observing mode:
131mm(from the end of 1.25" eyepiece holder), 141mm(from the end of 2" eyepiece holder)
Minimum accessory connection (with the focuser fully extended):
- Imaging mode:
43mm (from the base of M48×0.75 male thread), 61mm(from the base of M54×0.75 male thread)
- Observing mode:
101mm(from the end of 1.25" eyepiece holder), 111mm(from the end of 2" eyepiece holder)
Total length: 878mm(including 1.25" adapter as dew shield contracted), 963mm(including 1.25" adapter as dew shield fully stretched), 941mm(including the photographic adapter as dew shield contracted), 1026mm(including the photographic adapter as dew shield fully stretched)
Focuser travel length: 30mm
Net weight: 7.9kg
Gross weight (Including tube ring&dovetail plate): 9.4kg
Rear-end thread type: M78×1-M54×0.75, M54×0.75-M54×0.75, M54×0.75-M48×0.75 (with M48×0.75 filter thread)
Standard package items: A 131F OTA,a pair of tube rings, a handle, a 300mm Losmandy dovetail plate, a set of photographic adapters.
The 131F is available at $1,999. Estimated stock availability is In Stock Now. The dedicated 0.74x reducer is available at $299, with estimated stock availability listed as In Stock Now. This pricing is intended to provide an accessible path to a larger aperture refractor with a matched reducer, minimizing the trial and error that can result from mixing unrelated optical accessories.
For astrophotographers moving up from smaller refractors, the Askar 131F does introduce a bit more demand on the overall setup. The larger 131mm aperture and longer focal length place greater emphasis on accurate polar alignment, solid guiding, and a mount capable of handling the added size and imaging load comfortably during long sessions.
A quality equatorial mount with good tracking performance will help the telescope reach its full potential, especially when imaging at the native 983mm focal length. For users planning to alternate regularly between the native configuration and the 0.74x reducer, a repeatable spacer setup and tilt adjustment plate can also make life much easier when dialing everything back in.
The included adapters and built in filter threading should also help smooth the transition for users eventually moving from DSLR imaging into cooled astronomy cameras and more advanced imaging trains. In practical use, the native F7.5 configuration feels well suited for smaller targets and learning the system’s imaging characteristics, while the faster F5.6 reducer configuration can significantly speed up narrowband work and reduce the number of nights needed to complete deeper projects.
The Askar F Series 131F feels aimed at imagers who want a larger refractor platform that balances optical quality, imaging flexibility, and straightforward usability. The native F7.5 setup provides strong reach and detailed framing for smaller deep sky targets, while the matched 0.74x reducer opens the door to faster acquisition and wider field imaging without adding unnecessary complexity to the workflow.
Between the full frame support, thoughtful adapter options, integrated filter threading, and practical mechanical design, the 131F appears positioned as a versatile imaging system that can grow alongside an astrophotographer’s experience and camera setup over time. Most importantly, it seems designed to keep setup frustration low so more of the night can be spent doing what matters most — collecting data under the stars.
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