Dark Clear Skies · Askar SQA Pro Series
Askar SQA70 Pro
Big skies. Fine control.
A 70mm sextuplet Petzval astrograph for extended nebulae, dust clouds and rich star fields. Native f/4.6 optics, a 322mm focal length and integrated field correction give you a compact foundation for a dedicated deep-sky imaging setup.
- Field correction built in. The six-element Petzval design removes the need to choose and space a separate field flattener.
- Build around your camera. M42, M48 and M54 rear adapters give you a choice of connections for your imaging train.
- Focus, frame and balance. Dual-speed focusing, a graduated 360° rotator and a 290mm Vixen-style plate help you set up the complete system.
See the field before you choose the camera
At 322mm, the SQA70 Pro is well suited to broad nebulae and surrounding star fields. Your sensor size determines how much of that view reaches the finished photograph.
Calculated from the 322mm focal length and the sensor dimensions shown, before cropping. Check your camera's actual sensor size; adapters and filters can affect illumination.
Six elements. SD and ED glass. One integrated design.
The SQA70 Pro uses a fully air-spaced Petzval APO optical system, with SD glass in the second element and ED glass in the fourth. Askar's revised design aims to improve chromatic correction and star-image consistency across the field.
The practical advantage is a telescope designed around a corrected imaging field from the outset. Its 44mm image circle supports full-frame sensors, with the appropriate camera connection and a clear optical path through the rest of your equipment.
The control to finish the composition
The fixed dew shield shades the front optics from stray light and provides physical protection. Two finder bases offer accessory mounting positions, while the long Vixen-style dovetail gives room to rebalance as the camera and accessories change.
Plan for the complete payload. The telescope weighs 3.8kg with its rings and dovetail. Add the camera, filters, guiding equipment, focusing motor and cables when selecting or checking your mount.
A straightforward camera connection
Petzval field correction is built in, so there is no separate flattener to tune. The camera must still sit within the telescope's available focusing range.
36–68mm available · 55mm recommended
Measure from the rear face of the selected M42, M48 or M54 photographic adapter to the camera's sensor plane. Include every component between those two points.
- Choose the connection. Match the supplied photographic adapter to your camera or accessory train. The M48 adapter includes an internal thread for a compatible 2-inch filter.
- Add the effective lengths. Askar illustrates a 17.5mm camera sensor recess plus 21mm and 16.5mm extension sections: 17.5 + 21 + 16.5 = 55mm. Check the actual threads and lengths of your equipment; these are dimensional examples.
- Check the clear aperture. A narrow adapter, filter opening or off-axis guider can restrict illumination even when the telescope supports full frame. Consider the entire connection path when choosing components.
SQA70 Pro or SQA60 Pro?
Choose the SQA70 Pro for more image scale and a wider choice of rear adapters. The SQA60 Pro gives a wider view with the same camera in a shorter telescope.
| Feature | SQA70 Pro | SQA60 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Aperture | 70mm | 60mm |
| Focal length | 322mm | 276mm |
| Focal ratio | f/4.6 | f/4.6 |
| Optics | Six elements; 1 SD + 1 ED | Six elements; 2 SD |
| Image circle | 44mm | 44mm |
| Rear adapters | M42 / M48 / M54 | M48 |
| Connection range | 36–68mm | 41–66mm |
| Overall length | 331mm | 283mm |
With the same camera, 322mm records a subject approximately 17% larger across the sensor than 276mm. Both telescopes operate at f/4.6; the larger aperture alone does not mean shorter exposures for extended subjects. Glass types and counts alone do not rank overall optical performance.
Technical specifications
| Specification | Askar SQA70 Pro |
|---|---|
| Aperture | 70mm |
| Focal length / focal ratio | 322mm / f/4.6 |
| Optical design | Six-element, fully air-spaced Petzval APO |
| Special glass | One SD element in position 2; one ED element in position 4 |
| Corrected image circle | 44mm; full-frame support |
| Focuser | 2.5-inch dual-speed rack-and-pinion |
| Focuser travel | 32mm |
| Camera rotator | 360°, with graduated scale and locking screw |
| Rear photographic adapters | M42, M48 and M54 |
| Filter fitting | Internal 2-inch filter thread in the M48 adapter |
| Rear connection distance | 36–68mm; 55mm recommended |
| Dew shield | Fixed |
| Overall length | 331mm with focuser retracted |
| OTA weight | 3.0kg |
| Weight with rings and dovetail | 3.8kg, before camera and additional accessories |
| Dovetail | 290mm Vixen-style plate |
| Finder mounting | Two finder bases |
| Case | Protective carrying case supplied |
What's in the box?
Supplied with the telescope
- SQA70 Pro optical tube with fixed dew shield, focuser and rotator.
- Tube ring assembly and 290mm Vixen-style dovetail.
- M42, M48 and M54 photographic adapters.
- Protective carrying case.
Build your own imaging system
A suitable tracking mount, camera and any camera-specific adapters are required separately.
Filters, guiding equipment, an electronic focuser, the optional 85mm carrying handle and 20mm riser blocks are separate accessories.
Before you order
Can I use a DSLR or mirrorless camera?
Yes, with a suitable camera-specific adapter and an overall connection length within the specified 36–68mm range. Askar's drawing includes DSLR and mirrorless examples. Camera bodies and camera-specific adapters are not included.
Do I need an electronic focuser?
No. The supplied dual-speed focuser provides manual coarse and fine adjustment. An electronic focuser is optional; check its motor, coupling and mounting-bracket requirements against Askar's installation guidance.
Must the camera be exactly 55mm from the adapter?
Askar recommends 55mm within a usable 36–68mm connection range. This concerns reaching focus. Field correction is already built into the telescope, so there is no external flattener's critical correction spacing to adjust.
How does this differ from the original SQA70?
The SQA70 Pro has six elements, a 322mm focal length, an f/4.6 focal ratio and a fixed dew shield. The original SQA70 uses five elements at 336mm and f/4.8, with a retractable dew shield. Check that any accessories or documentation are intended for the Pro model.
Let's check your imaging setup
Tell us your camera model, mount and filter arrangement. Dark Clear Skies can help you check the connections and current UK availability before ordering.
Ask DCS about your setup
