Tele Vue-85: 20 years later and still a giant in the galaxy game

The Tele Vue-85 has been a steadfast companion to astronomers for over 20 years. First introduced in the late 1990s, it quickly earned a reputation for optical excellence and rugged reliability. Many enthusiasts still treasure early 2000s models that continue to deliver crisp, pinpoint stars night after night. Remarkably, the core design has remained true to its original vision, with the most notable change being the focuser — some older versions sport a distinctive chrome drawtube that stands as a nod to its heritage. Even after two decades, the Tele Vue-85 remains a benchmark of quality and a trusted titan in the world of refractors.

Tele Vue’s latest blog highlights some incredible galaxy images captured by Jeff Fishman using his portable Tele Vue-85 telescope from Palm Springs, California.

The Realm of Galaxies - Tele Vue-85: 20 years later and still a giant in the galaxy game

The northern hemisphere’s Galaxy Season, running from March to mid-May, offers the best time to view the Virgo and Coma Berenices constellations. Jeff Fishman, working under Bortle 7 skies, used his Tele Vue-85 and a one-shot-color camera to image galaxies such as M51, the Whirlpool Galaxy, and its dwarf companion, NGC 5195. Despite the challenge of a bright moonlit sky and light pollution, the Tele Vue-85 paired with an OptoLong L-Pro filter produced strikingly detailed images.

Jeff Fishman’s Journey to Astrophotography

Jeff’s journey into amateur astronomy began after his early retirement when he sought a hobby he could physically enjoy. Starting with visual astronomy using a Celestron 8SE and Tele Vue eyepieces, he gradually transitioned to imaging. He chose the Tele Vue-85 for its reputation for delivering pinpoint stars, outfitting it with accessories like the ZWO ASI2600MC camera and ZWO AM5 mount. Jeff appreciates the minimal hassle this combination brings compared to his other telescopes.

Sunflower Galaxy and the Leo Triplet

The Sunflower Galaxy, M63, showcases older yellow stars in its core and bright blue young stars in its arms, beautifully revealed by Jeff’s Tele Vue-85 setup. Moving to the Leo Triplet, the image includes NGC 3628, known as the Hamburger Galaxy for its edge-on view with a striking dust lane, alongside M66 and M65. These galaxies demonstrate varying spiral perspectives, and a close crop shows the contrasting structures of M66’s bar core and M65’s tightly wound arms.

Markarian’s Chain and More

In his image of Markarian’s Chain, Jeff captures a luminous string of galaxies including M84, M86, and the interacting pair called “the Eyes.” This well-known cluster was first noted for its shared motion by Benjamin Markarian. The Tele Vue-85, coupled with the ZWO ASI2600MC and UV/IR cut filter, integrates eight hours of exposure to unveil these stunning cosmic vistas.

Features of the Tele Vue-85

Available in ivory or evergreen, the Tele Vue-85 comes equipped with a sliding metal dew shield, Focusmate 10:1 dual-speed focuser, and a padded carry case. It can be paired with the TRF-2008 0.8x Reducer/Flattener to achieve a fast f/5.6 setup for astrophotography, making it popular among visual observers and imagers alike. With optional accessories like the 18.2 DeLite eyepiece or the Nagler 3–6mm Planetary Zoom, this compact APO refractor offers versatility for a wide range of skywatching and imaging applications.

Share and Connect

Astronomy enthusiasts can share their Tele Vue experiences on social media using hashtags like #televue and #RPTVO for a chance to be featured on Tele Vue’s social accounts. Jeff’s impressive imaging with the Tele Vue-85 during [TITLE PHRASE] demonstrates how even under light-polluted skies, the right equipment can reveal the universe’s hidden wonders.

M51 Whirlpool and NGC 5195 Dwarf Galaxies Jeff Fishman

Meet the Tele Vue-85

Galaxy Pair M65 and M66 (crop of Leo Triplet image) Jeff Fishman