TS-Optics Photoline 130mm: Perfect (Almost)
As far as large refractor telescopes go, anything with a focal length exceeding 900mm, the TS130 pushes boundaries in various ways. Designed and sold by the Munich-based retailer and manufacturer, Teleskop Service, the Photoline series are available in several sizes, ranging from 60mm to 140mm focal lengths.
The 3.7" RAP focuser - ball bearing mounted
With a 130mm diameter and a native focal length of 910mm, this telescope strikes a balance between performance and practicality. Compared to its rivals, it offers several advantages: a slightly more affordable price, Japanese-made S-FPL53 glass, a robust 3.7-inch rack-and-pinion focuser ideal for full-frame sensors, and reliable customer service from Teleskop Service. The 3.7-inch focuser is impressively sturdy, capable of supporting up to 8kg of combined accessories. It produces next to no vignetting across the field of view of full frame sensors.
Optical Performance
The performance of a telescope depends on several factors, including the quality of the field flatteners and the condition of your camera's sensor. Assuming the use of a full-frame sensor, such as the ZWO ASI6200, with no sensor tilt and a perfectly performing field flattener/reducer capable of full-frame correction, the TS130 delivers exceptional results.
Teleskop Service conducts thorough optical testing on the TS130, including autocollimation, star tests (extrafocal, intrafocal, and focal), Ronchi tests, and protocols to ensure a fully tested telescope. The stars are tight and free from pinching. While minor chromatic aberration is present, the star shapes are flawless.
Although Teleskop Service claims the objective lens is free from chromatic aberrations, we observed that this is not entirely accurate. Chromatic aberration is minimal but still present—albeit negligible in most practical scenarios.
A cropped image of a star field. As shown in this photo, whilst chromatic aberration is present, the telescope does an excellent job to render the light.
Interface
As far as accessories, TS-130 covers the basics, but that is about it. Whilst there are plenty of accessories available With a Vixen style dovetail bar, retractable dew shield, field rotator and Finder shoe will have you covered. But in terms of adding extra parts to the telescope, TS-130 might need a little extra help. The telescope doesn’t have with any carrire bag. The field rotator is not scaled, so you will have to eye ball the amount of rotation. There could be more finder shoes to mount more accessories. However these are very minor things and can easily be worked around.
Field Correctors
As of December 2024, TS130 comes with two recommended field correctors. Testing both with a full frame camera, results are very impressive correction.
The TSFLAT3 field corrector that leaves the focal lenght unchanged, performs impressively with sharp stars 99% all the way to the corners. The included M48 spacer with 2" filter thread, leaves a 55mm backfocus. The flattener fits directly to the large 3.7" focuser which is very satisfying. That results in almost completely vignette-free subs.
With the TSRED379 reducer, the focal length is reduced to 719mm, the focal ratio increases to f/5.53. This also performs very well, with minor vignetting around the edges. So a slight cropping might be required to address vignetting and elongated stars near the corners. You would also rely more on taking high quality flat frames to address the vignetting. Of course you would have a much easier time if you are using a APS-C sensor or smaller
The recommended backfocus for both field correctors is 55mm.
TS-Optics 1.0x APO Flattener and Field Corrector Gen 2
Field correction with TSFLAT3 and ZWO ASI6200MC Pro
Pros and Cons of TS130 Apochromatic Telescope
Things we love about this telescope:
Excellent optical performance.
Solid and sturdy focuser.
A wide range of accessories available on Teleskop Service website.
Optical test by Teleskop-Service before shipping.
Things that could be imporved:
No carrying case included (sold separately).
The field rotator doesn’t have degree markings.
Only one finder base to mount your accessories.
Key stats:
Lens diameter: 130mm
Focal length: 910mm
Focal ratio: f /7
Lens type: SFPL-53 triplet apochromat, airspaced
Coating: fully multi-coated
Focuser: 3.7" RAP Photoline rack and pinion focuser with dual speed transmission
Payload of focuser: approx. 8 kg
OTA weight: 10.3 kg
Dew shield: retractable, diameter 169mm
Tube diameter: 140mm
Connection threads at the accessory side: Female M92x1 and M68x1 ZEISS level threads, 2" and 1.25" receptacles
Connection thread tube rear side to Focuser: M136x1 female, mm deep
For more information about TS-Optics PHOTOLINE 130mm please visit Teleskop Service’s website.
