SVBONY SV555 review

The SVBONY SV555 telescope is gaining attention as an affordable option for beginners and casual astrophotographers in the dedicated astronomy lens space and beyond. It’s a triplet refractor with decent optics for the price, delivering solid views of the night sky and even some planetary detail. Folks are praising its portability and ease of use, which makes it a great choice for backyard stargazing or quick setups in remote areas.

However, it’s clear the SV555 isn’t aiming to compete with premium telescopes like the William Optics Petzval models, which are in a league of their own for optical performance and craftsmanship. That said, for the price, the SV555 shows promise, and many believe it’s a solid stepping stone into the hobby for those not ready to splurge on higher-end gear. With some patience and tuning, it’s an affordable way to explore the skies through astrophotography.

The SVBONY SV555 Telescope

The most notable aspect of the telescope is its objective lens design. The telescope incorporates a Petzval design, which consists of three groups of lenses and five optical elements. Included in this design are a set of triplet lenses and two extra-low dispersion (ED) glasses. The triplet lenses are intended to enhance the clarity and sharpness of the images produced, while the ED glasses help reduce chromatic aberrations, leading to more accurate color representation and clearer details in the final images. This optical configuration is intended to eliminate aperture blocking, which can be an issue with traditional lens designs, providing a more open and unobstructed view.

The scope’s aperture is 54mm, and it features a focal length of 243mm. This combination results in a focal ratio ranging from f/4.5 to f/22. The adjustable aperture allows users to modify their shooting settings depending on their needs. The aperture can be dialed back to f/22 for wider depth of field or opened up to f/4.5 for faster exposures, which is particularly useful for astrophotography where light-gathering power is crucial. A graded adjustment ring with a scale is provided to allow users to make fine adjustments to the aperture while ensuring the settings remain consistent without accidental changes.

The image circle of the telescope is designed to cover a full-frame sensor, with a diameter of 44mm. This broad field of view ensures that users can capture expansive sections of the night sky without any significant image distortion at the edges, which can often occur with telescopes that are not designed for full-frame cameras. The telescope is compatible with mirrorless cameras, SLR cameras, and deep-sky cameras, making it a flexible choice for a variety of users.

The telescope comes equipped with several features to make the process of astrophotography more efficient. One such feature is a lockable 360° rotator that is integrated into the design of the telescope. This rotator, coupled with the rotatable lens tube, allows photographers to easily adjust the orientation of the camera and telescope, ensuring that the desired shooting angle is achieved with ease. Whether users are shooting static subjects or tracking celestial bodies, this feature helps ensure that the camera remains in the correct position.

For fine focusing, the telescope employs a helical focuser system. This system is designed to provide smooth and precise focus adjustments, allowing users to dial in the exact focus they need to capture sharp images of distant objects. The single-speed focus mechanism offers users a reliable way to fine-tune their images, although it may not provide the dual-speed focusing options found in other high-end telescopes. However, an optional electronic automatic focuser (EAF) mount kit can be added to improve the precision and ease of focusing, particularly for users who require automated or repeatable focusing during extended photography sessions.

Another feature designed to improve usability is the inclusion of a handle, bracket, and dovetail plate, which make it easier to handle and position the telescope during setup. The dovetail plate ensures the telescope can be mounted securely to a compatible mount, and the handle offers additional stability when positioning the telescope. The 184mm length and 42mm width of the dovetail plate make it compatible with a variety of mounts, ensuring the telescope can be used with a wide range of telescope mounts. Additionally, the M72 front filter thread allows for easy installation of filters, while the M48x0.75 male thread at the back of the telescope provides compatibility with additional accessories like filters and camera adapters.

The physical dimensions of the telescope contribute to its portability and usability. With a lens barrel circumference of 293mm and a net weight of 2450g (excluding accessories), the telescope strikes a balance between performance and ease of transport. Its relatively compact design allows for straightforward setup and operation, making it ideal for astrophotographers who need to move their equipment between different observation sites. The included soft padded case provides additional protection for the telescope during transit, while the plastic lens cover ensures the lens remains free from dust and debris when not in use.

In terms of compatibility, the telescope is designed to work seamlessly with various cameras and accessories. The M48x0.75 rear filter thread enables users to install 2-inch filters to enhance image quality and control the amount of light entering the telescope. This feature is especially useful for those using color filters to improve contrast or remove unwanted light pollution. The quick-release system, compatible with both V-style and Arca-Swiss mounts, offers users flexibility when attaching the telescope to different tripods or mounts. The inclusion of an M48 camera adapter further expands the range of cameras that can be used with the telescope, making it adaptable to different astrophotography setups.

The telescope’s compatibility with various mounts and quick-release systems ensures that it can be easily integrated into a wide range of astrophotography workflows. Users can take advantage of the V-style and Arca-Swiss systems for rapid setup and teardown, reducing the time required to begin photographing. Whether for casual stargazing or more detailed astrophotography, the versatility of the telescope makes it an excellent option for those who require flexibility in their equipment.

While the scope is optimized for astrophotography, it also offers solutions for general photography. The camera rotation ring operates smoothly, enabling users to adjust the orientation of their camera for different framing or composition options. However, some users may experience issues where the entire telescope tube rotates within the mounting bracket, rather than just the camera rotator. This issue can be resolved by replacing the thumb screw with an M5 hex socket screw, which will secure the clamp tightly and prevent unwanted rotation of the entire tube.

The telescope is also designed to reduce issues commonly encountered during astrophotography, such as pinched stars, which can occur when the focus is not perfectly set. The telescope's focus system is engineered to prevent such issues, ensuring that sharp, well-focused stars are captured. In cases where users need to make adjustments to the back focus, the standard 55mm back focus distance provides enough space to achieve optimal focus. If necessary, users can set specific parameters for the Electronic Automatic Focuser (EAF) to help achieve accurate focus positions, especially in long exposure scenarios.

As for accessories, the package includes the SV555 54mm f/4.5 OTA, an EAF mount kit, a handle with an integrated Vixen Finder saddle, a dovetail plate with M6 threaded holes, and a 2-inch filter holder, among other items. These accessories contribute to the overall functionality of the telescope, providing users with everything needed to start using the telescope for astrophotography immediately. The instruction manual ensures that users can set up and use the telescope effectively, and the soft padded case provides a convenient way to store and protect the equipment when not in use.

The scope's price is now just $599, which is a reasonable cost for the quality and features it offers, making it a competitive option for those seeking an astrophotography telescope that provides a balance of performance, versatility, and portability. Whether used by beginners or experienced photographers, the telescope is designed to deliver sharp, high-quality images and meet the demands of serious astrophotography.

In summary, the SV555 is a high-performance optical instrument that is well-suited for capturing deep-sky images. With a well-engineered Petzval objective design, adjustable aperture, and versatile mounting system, it offers clear, sharp images with minimal distortion. The inclusion of features like a helical focuser, adjustable camera rotator, and compatibility with a variety of filters and camera systems ensures that it can be adapted to meet the needs of different photographers. The SV555 is a strong choice for those looking for a reliable, affordable, and adaptable telescope for astrophotography.

Specifications

• Brand: SVBONY
• Model: SV555
• Objective Type: Petzval Design（5 Elements in 3 Groups)
• Aperture: 54mm
• Optic Coated: FMC
• Focal Length: 243mm
• Focal Ratio: f/4.5-f/22
• Focuser: Helical
• Image Circle: Φ 44mm (Full Frame)
• Lockable 360º rotator: Yes
• Mount Type: Dovetail Plate
• Dovetail Plate Length: 184mm
• Dovetail Plate Width: 42mm
• Lens Barrel Circumference: 293mm
• Front Filter Thread: M72
• Back-end connection: M48x0.75 male thread
• Net Weight: 5.4 lbs / 2450 g  (excluding accessories)
   

Whats included

• SV555 54mm f/4.5 OTA
• EAF Mount Kit
• Handle with integrated Vixen Finder saddle
• Dovetail plate with M6 threaded holes
• Camera Angle Adjuster
• 2" Filter Holder (assembled with the Lens)
• Plastic Lens Cover
• Soft Padded Case
• Instruction Manual
   

SVBONY SV555 Review

Trevor Jones from AstroBackyard offers a comprehensive review of the SVBONY SV555 telescope, a variable aperture, prime focus lens designed specifically for wide-field astrophotography. His review delves into both the telescope’s strengths and weaknesses, providing insight into his personal experience with the product.

The telescope, an affordable option for astrophotography enthusiasts, has been available for some time, but he had not yet reviewed it, despite many requests from his audience. SVBONY is generally known in the astrophotography community for producing budget-friendly telescopes and accessories. According to him, the telescope stands out in the crowded market of wide-field telescopes with an aperture close to 250mm. Unlike traditional astrophotography telescopes, the telescope is more akin to a camera lens, featuring a manual variable aperture. This aperture allows users to adjust the f-stop from f/4.5 down to f/22, providing flexibility for light gathering. However, he notes that f/4.5 is the ideal setting for astrophotography, as it delivers the best results and should be used in most situations.

One distinctive feature of the telescope is its manual focus ring, which is reminiscent of a camera lens. While this feature might not appeal to everyone, he, who has used similar designs before, finds it easy to use and appreciates its simplicity. For those who prefer an auto-focuser, the telescope is compatible with this option, and he mentions that he has a separate auto-focuser (EAF) that he plans to install on another setup.

Upon receiving the telescope from SVBONY in December, he had two clear nights to test the telescope. He captured images of two different targets, integrating them for smooth results. While the images were generally pleasing, he observed some optical issues with his sample. In particular, he noted a recurring problem with star shapes, specifically a flaring or hat-like appearance that affected multiple stars in his images. This issue was not due to stacking or tracking errors, but rather seemed to be intrinsic to the optical design of the unit. He also observed that even after collecting several subs (individual frames), the star shape anomaly persisted.

The issue with star shapes was evident even on a second test project, where he used dual narrowband filters. Despite these filters generally tightening star shapes, the anomaly remained. This issue with star distortion was significant enough to stand out during close inspection, although the images appeared fine at first glance. He considered that the cause could be an obstruction or a minor flaw within the optical elements, as telescopes with fast f/4.5 optics are sensitive to even small internal imperfections. He also tested the aperture ring to ensure it was properly set to f/4.5, but the issue persisted, leading him to believe that the problem might be related to internal assembly or quality control rather than user error.

Despite these issues, he believes that the optical performance of the telescope could be improved with further adjustments. He consulted with other astrophotography enthusiasts, including a colleague who had reviewed the telescope, to compare notes and investigate whether this problem was specific to his unit. His colleague pointed out that other users had reported similar problems, and they speculated that the issue could stem from a slight misalignment or internal obstruction. However, he emphasized that the quality of the optics seemed good, and the shape distortion might be due to minor manufacturing defects, something that could potentially be fixed or avoided with more consistent quality control.

Another positive aspect of the telescope, according to him, is the packaging and presentation. When the telescope arrived, it came in a well-branded, sturdy box, which included a soft carry case, a dovetail mount, matching red rings, a riser for the optical tube, and a guide scope mount. He appreciated the comprehensive mounting kit, which provides everything a user might need for setup. Additionally, an EAF mounting kit was included, signaling that SVBONY expected users might want to add an auto-focuser to their setup. He found these inclusions a welcome bonus, especially when compared to other similar products in the market that often lack such accessories.

In terms of design and price, he acknowledges that the telescope offers significant value. The price is notably lower than that of many competitors, making it an attractive option for those on a budget. However, the issue with star shape and quality control brings some uncertainty to the overall reliability of the product. He expresses his desire for the product to succeed, as he sees it as a great step forward for SVBONY. He believes that with better consistency in manufacturing, the telescope could perform on par with more expensive telescopes in the same category.

Overall, Trevor Jones finds the SVBONY SV555 to be a promising telescope with potential for great astrophotography, but with some concerns regarding its optical performance. While he believes that quality control might be the culprit for the issues he encountered, he acknowledges that the telescope’s design, price, and overall package are quite impressive. He advises potential buyers to be aware of these potential issues and to carefully assess the quality of the specific unit they receive. Despite the problems he faced with his sample, he remains optimistic about the telescope’s capabilities and hopes that SVBONY can address these concerns to make the product a more reliable choice for astrophotographers in the future.

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