October 4, 2025

William Optics Pleiades 68 Review

In late 2023, William Optics announced the Pleiades 68 Astrograph. A compact, 7-element astrograph design featuring Super 3 ED lenses and FPL-53 glass.
The biggest selling features of the William Optics Pleiades 68 Astrograph are its fast focal ratio of f/3.8 and innovative WIFD focuser design. 
I had the pleasure of testing one of the first Pleiades 68 models at the Winter Star Party in early 2024. I’ll share my image results and impressions of this compact refractor telescope in this article.

July 19, 2025

What a $4000 Astrophotography Telescope Gets You

As a full-time astrophotographer, I get to test some pretty impressive gear.
While you certainly don't need to spend $4K on a telescope to get a great picture...
I think you’ll appreciate seeing the results using one!

February 24, 2025

William Optics RedCat 91 Review

I recently tested the William Optics RedCat 91 APO refractor. This is the fourth RedCat I’ve used in the RedCat series—five if you count the two versions of the RedCat 51 (version 1 and version 3).
With a healthy aperture, fast optics, and a super flat Peztval design, the William Optics RedCat 91 has a lot going for it. It includes several thoughtful features, such as a tilt adjuster, a camera angle rotator, and a robust WIFD focuser.
This telescope has two color options: the classic red and a new black version. William Optics sent me the black one and explained that it’s one of the best telescopes he’s ever produced.

September 14, 2023

William Optics GT81 WIFD Review

The William Optics GT 81 (Gran Turismo) is an apochromatic refractor telescope with an innovative internal focus design (WIFD).
William’s ‘Gran Turismo’ line of refractor telescopes have been around for many years, and are well enjoyed in the amateur astrophotography community. 

June 2, 2023

William Optics RedCat 61

William Optics has introduced their third variation of the original RedCat Petzval Astrograph, the William Optics RedCat 61.
It’s small, it’s mighty, and it’s REDDER than ever. There’s also a huge change to this version of the RedCat when compared to the RedCat 51 and RedCat 71.
Like most reviews/first lights, I do my best to cover everything you need to know about

November 16, 2021

William Optics RedCat 71 First Look

The William Optics RedCat 71 represents the next step forward in the evolution of the RedCat series, offering greater reach, improved optical illumination, and a noticeably more capable imaging platform compared to the smaller 51 mm model. This first-light session highlights what it feels like to take the RedCat 71 out under the night sky for the very first time, from setup to initial star tests and early deep-sky exposures.

February 8, 2019

William Optics RedCat 51 Review

William Optics is a company known for creating high-performance apochromatic refractors and constantly updating and refining their designs. The RedCat 51 Petzval APO is the latest creation from the company that can’t sit still, and it is bound to shake up the industry once more.

November 23, 2018

William Optics Zenithstar 73 APO

The William Optics Zenithstar 73 is an apochromatic doublet refractor telescope built for astrophotography. With an objective lens using high-quality FPL-53 ED glass, the Z73 APO is a superb deep-sky imaging performer.
The example images shared on this page should give you a good idea of what you can expect in terms of astrophotography with this compact refractor.

December 18, 2017

Capturing Orion with a Fluorostar 132

I have recently had the incredible opportunity to try out an enormous 132mm refractor telescope for some deep-sky astrophotography. Connecting a DSLR camera to a telescope like this is something I never dreamed I would have the pleasure of doing.

September 16, 2017

William Optics Zenithstar 61 APO Review

The William Optics Zenithstar 61 is a doublet apochromatic refractor telescope that excels in deep-sky DSLR astrophotography. The Z61 is the most portable telescope ever made by William Optics, a company with a reputation for building beautiful astrophotography refractors.

In this review, I’ll tell you why I think the William Optics Zenithstar 61 is a top contender when it comes to affordable astrophotography telescopes. I’ll cover the features and specs of the scope, and share some examples of deep-sky images taken using this refractor.