Hi. i would like to ask to my partners in astrobin about upgrade my esprit 80. I like the focal lenght about 400-450 mm and i could have a great offer for a new takahashi fsq 85. I would like to know if its worth the upgrade. I´m happy with esprit results, in fact i love the esprit stars but i red and listened that takahashi has sharp images than esprit…please the takahashi owners let me know if it´s worth pay more money for this scope
Thanks in advance
I upgraded from an Esprit 100 because while I (still) love the rendition out to APS-C my mobile setup now uses a full-frame camera (6um pixels) and the corners are not to my liking. I find the standard Tak focuser to be quite subpar compared with the Esprit 100, so I had my vendor put an Esatto 3“ on the Tak. Both star rendition and illumination are better than the Esprit, there is no measurable tilt and focus is exceptionally repeatable. In addition I have smaller stars on-axis and almost no aberrations off-axis. On the other hand, having received the first sample in a miscollimated state, I am now afraid to use the Tak for flight trips - and bought a sturdy FRA 300 for those rough times.
The only thing I disliked in the FSQ-85 is the star shapes at the edge of the frames. Both, 1.01x flattener and the QB reducer produced such stars. I didn’t like it, so I moved on. But overall images were crisp. Try checking out images in astrobin and look out for those star shapes.
Other than this, it’s definitely a step up from esprit 80.
The only justification for the Tak is if you’re running full frame. Otherwise the Esprit 100 is going to perform almost exactly the same with APS-C. I’ve owned multiple esprit 100’s and also processed a decent amount of data from remote FSQ106s. There are tells of which data belongs to each scope, however the sharpness is no different.
The only notable difference, but you should already know is the Esprit 80 and 100’s have a slight red bloat to the stars. We’ve compared across nearly half a dozen models and they all have them. It’s not a big deal and just something you learn to process around. If you want to see lots of Esprit data, come have a look at my gallery.
I would like to have one light from taka fsq85 to compare
thanks for your responses
Brian Puhl · Nov 19, 2025, 01:35 PM
The only justification for the Tak is if you’re running full frame. Otherwise the Esprit 100 is going to perform almost exactly the same with APS-C. I’ve owned multiple esprit 100’s and also processed a decent amount of data from remote FSQ106s. There are tells of which data belongs to each scope, however the sharpness is no different.
The only notable difference, but you should already know is the Esprit 80 and 100’s have a slight red bloat to the stars. We’ve compared across nearly half a dozen models and they all have them. It’s not a big deal and just something you learn to process around. If you want to see lots of Esprit data, come have a look at my gallery.
Thanks Brian. Indeed your experience makes more interesting info for me. I use 2600 mmpro cameras, so i don´t think to upgrade to full frame. I´m happy with the apsc fov.
I own and currently use the Esprit 100ED for targets in that size range. A few years back, I sold my Stellarvue SVX80T + Reducer (mistake) in order to purchase a new FSQ85-EDX. I had “always” wanted a Takahashi.
The FSQ85 captured and rendered color as close to a Newtonian Reflector as I have seen. Actually — uncanny. Images were also sharp and detailed. Unfortunately — especially in the colder New England Fall and Winter, stars at the edge of my APS-C sensor became crosses. Takahashi told me that the FSQ optics were designed for the older 9um pixel sensors. And then there is the Lighthouse effect on brighter off-axis stars ... and their price …. Even with its superlative features, I sold the scope … and then it was sold again. I believe @Deepan Vishal ended up with “my” scope … and then he sold it ….
The Esprit optics are solid performers, just short of FSQ optical quality. Both scopes have build-quality issues. Both manufacturers now have mighty competition. I have a feeling that Skywatcher is upping its game with a new line of high-end refractors.
Today, there are a fair number of manufacturers offering Petzval optics with shorter focal lengths. Check out their images here on AB. You may find 3-4 alternatives with strong build quality and better-than-decent optics.
Jay Hovnanian · Nov 19, 2025, 09:15 PM
I own and currently use the Esprit 100ED for targets in that size range. A few years back, I sold my Stellarvue SVX80T + Reducer (mistake) in order to purchase a new FSQ85-EDX. I had “always” wanted a Takahashi.
The FSQ85 captured and rendered color as close to a Newtonian Reflector as I have seen. Actually — uncanny. Images were also sharp and detailed. Unfortunately — especially in the colder New England Fall and Winter, stars at the edge of my APS-C sensor became crosses. Takahashi told me that the FSQ optics were designed for the older 9um pixel sensors. And then there is the Lighthouse effect on brighter off-axis stars ... and their price …. Even with its superlative features, I sold the scope … and then it was sold again. I believe @Deepan Vishal ended up with “my” scope … and then he sold it ….
The Esprit optics are solid performers, just short of FSQ optical quality. Both scopes have build-quality issues. Both manufacturers now have mighty competition. I have a feeling that Skywatcher is upping its game with a new line of high-end refractors.
Today, there are a fair number of manufacturers offering Petzval optics with shorter focal lengths. Check out their images here on AB. You may find 3-4 alternatives with strong build quality and better-than-decent optics.
Thank you for your response. Indeed i already have a esprit 100 and askar fra400. Petzval construction and great images but i think esprit series are other league. Thanks for your responses , i think i will keep my two esprits and leave the fsq for now