Sky-Watcher Esprit 100mm Review: Top Pick for Astrophotography

The Sky-Watcher Esprit 100mm ED Triplet APO Refractor is a premium telescope designed with serious astrophotographers in mind. Its combination of high-quality optics, robust construction, and comprehensive accessory package makes it a compelling choice for capturing detailed and color-accurate images of the night sky.

Table of Contents

Optical Design and Performance

At the heart of the Esprit 100 is its triplet apochromatic lens system, featuring a 100mm aperture and a focal length of 550mm, yielding a fast focal ratio of f/5.5. This design incorporates high-end BK-7 and FPL-53 glass elements, which virtually eliminate chromatic aberration and false color, ensuring exceptional sharpness and contrast in astrophotography images. The fully multi-coated optics, utilizing Sky-Watcher’s Metallic High-Transmission Coatings (MHTC), enhance light transmission, resulting in bright and clear images.

Users have praised the Esprit 100 for its outstanding image quality. For instance, Trevor Jones of AstroBackyard noted that the telescope’s field flatness and color correction are impressive, with stars appearing sharp across the entire imaging plane. He mentioned that the Esprit 100’s performance rivals that of more expensive refractors, making it a valuable tool for astrophotography.

Mechanical Construction and Focuser

The Esprit 100 boasts a solid rolled steel optical tube with a glossy white finish, providing durability and a premium aesthetic. The telescope is equipped with a 3.4-inch dual-speed rack-and-pinion Helinear track focuser, which offers smooth and precise focusing with zero image shift—a critical feature for astrophotography. The focuser includes a rotatable “captain’s wheel” design, allowing for flexible camera orientation when framing images.

Rouzbeh Bidshahri, in his review on Cloudy Nights, highlighted the focuser’s robustness, noting that it provides a solid platform for imaging equipment. He also mentioned that the focuser’s rotation mechanism is practical for adjusting camera angles, enhancing the user experience during imaging sessions.

Included Accessories

Sky-Watcher provides a comprehensive set of accessories with the Esprit 100, ensuring users have everything needed to begin their astrophotography endeavors. The package includes:

A dedicated two-element field flattener, ensuring a flat field across the entire imaging plane.
Tube rings and a D-style dovetail for secure mounting.
An 8×50 right-angle finderscope for easy target acquisition.
An M48 camera adapter for straightforward attachment of imaging equipment.
A 2-inch dielectric diagonal for visual observations.
A padded hard case for safe storage and transport.

This all-inclusive approach is advantageous for both novice and experienced astrophotographers, providing a seamless setup experience.

Field Performance

In practical use, the Esprit 100 delivers impressive results. Its fast focal ratio of f/5.5 allows for shorter exposure times, which is beneficial for capturing faint deep-sky objects. The telescope’s excellent color correction and sharpness produce images with pinpoint stars and high contrast. Additionally, the included field flattener ensures edge-to-edge sharpness, making it suitable for use with large imaging sensors.

Astrophotographers have reported that the Esprit 100 maintains collimation well, even after transportation, indicating robust mechanical construction. The telescope’s weight, approximately 15-16 pounds when fully loaded, is manageable and compatible with a range of equatorial mounts, enhancing its versatility for field use.

Conclusion

The Sky-Watcher Esprit 100mm ED Triplet APO Refractor stands out as a high-performance telescope that offers exceptional value for its price point. Its combination of superior optics, solid construction, and comprehensive accessory package makes it a formidable tool for astrophotography. Whether you’re upgrading your current setup or entering the realm of serious astrophotography, the Esprit 100 is a worthy investment that delivers professional-grade results.