Askar astrograph India complete guide
The Askar brand from China has become one of the most talked-about astrograph lines in global amateur astronomy — and for good reason. Their flat-field apochromatic refractors offer genuinely excellent optics at prices that undercut European equivalents by 30–50%. EDISLA stocks the full Askar range in India, from the compact 60F (₹49,999) to the premium 91F (₹1,15,999).
But choosing the right Askar model requires understanding what each focal length and focal ratio delivers for your specific imaging goals — and how those specs interact with India's particular sky conditions and the sensors most popular among Indian astrophotographers.
This is the only complete, India-specific Askar buying guide available.
What is a flat-field astrograph — and why does it matter for Indian imagers?
A flat-field astrograph is a telescope designed specifically for astrophotography. Unlike visual telescopes (which are optimised for the human eye), a flat-field astrograph is engineered to project a perfectly flat, sharp image plane across the entire camera sensor — from centre to corner. This means stars are round and sharp at the edge of your image, not stretched or blurred.
The Askar "F" series (60F, 71F, 91F) are all flat-field designs — the reducer/corrector is built into the optical system. You don't need to buy a separate field flattener. This is a significant cost and complexity advantage for Indian buyers getting into imaging.
The complete Askar range — specs and decision guide
| Model | Price | Aperture | Focal length | Focal ratio | Sensor coverage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Askar 60F | ₹49,999 | 60mm | 348mm | f/5.8 | APS-C | Beginners, wide-field, travel |
| Askar 71F | ₹65,999 | 71mm | 348mm | f/4.9 | APS-C full coverage | City imaging, most versatile |
| Askar 80ED | ₹39,999 | 80mm | 480mm | f/6 | APS-C | Gateway — visual + photography |
| Askar 91F | ₹1,15,999 | 91mm | 499mm | f/5.5 | Full-frame (36×24mm) | Serious imagers, premium quality |
| Askar FRA400C | ₹1,05,999 | 60mm | 400mm | f/5.6 | APS-C | OSC cameras, HOO palette |
Which Askar should you buy? — interactive selector
Detailed reviews — each Askar model for Indian conditions
The Askar 71F is the model we recommend to most Indian astrophotographers stepping into dedicated imaging telescopes. At f/4.9, it's the fastest telescope in the Askar range — meaning shorter sub-exposures to capture faint nebula signal. The FPL-53 triplet ED glass eliminates chromatic aberration almost entirely. At ₹65,999 paired with the Player One Uranus-C (₹38,999) and ZWO AM3 mount (₹65,999), you have a complete sub-₹1.8L imaging rig capable of competition-level deep-sky images from Indian city skies.
The 60F is the entry point to flat-field imaging at the most accessible price. Slightly less aperture than the 71F means longer exposure times for equivalent results, but the compact size makes it the best Askar for dark-sky trips to Spiti, Coorg, or Kutch. Pairs well with the Player One Neptune-664C (₹31,999) for a complete imaging setup under ₹85,000.
The 91F is for Indian astrophotographers who have already imaged with a smaller astrograph and are ready for a significant step up. Full-frame sensor coverage means you can use either a dedicated astro camera or a modified mirrorless camera. The longer focal length (499mm) produces tighter framing on smaller targets like planetary nebulae, the Ring Nebula, and compact galaxy groups.
Recommended complete Askar imaging rigs for India
| Setup | Astrograph | Camera | Mount | Total | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | Askar 60F ₹49,999 | Player One Neptune-664C ₹31,999 | ZWO AM3 ₹65,999 | ~₹1.5L | First serious rig, dark-sky travel |
| Sweet spot | Askar 71F ₹65,999 | Player One Uranus-C ₹38,999 | ZWO AM5N ₹1,19,999 | ~₹2.25L | City + dark sky, competition-level |
| Advanced | Askar 91F ₹1,15,999 | Player One Uranus-C Pro ₹59,999 | ZWO AM5N ₹1,19,999 | ~₹3L | Serious hobbyist, full-frame quality |
Frequently asked questions
India's full Askar range — 60F to 91F, all in stock at EDISLA
From ₹49,999 · Free shipping · Expert pairing advice · WhatsApp +91 7305514243
