New Takahashi "TSA-102S"

Folks, what do you know about this scope? Per Anacortes and a few other retailers, it's a 4" triplet with a 2.7" focuser and a focal ration of f/8. It weighs 11 pounds and sells for $2695. I found what looks like another variant on a Japanese retailer's site; the "TSA-102N." Don't know what the difference is other than the "N" version is cheaper by 30,000 Yen.

I'm interested in any details you have regarding lens design, amateur or professional reviews, and am also very curious as to why this isn't a "TOA" rather than a "TSA".

- Jim

The TSA-102N does not have a retractable lens lens shade. In this case the "S" connotation denotes a retractable lens shade.

This is a TSA because the optical design uses a narrow air space and places the ED element in the middle. It is very different from the TOA.

You can check dealer's websites for an image of the instrument. It does no show it with the lens shade retracted.

Art Ciampi

Takahashi decided to design the TSA Series using Ohara glass and having the lenses ground by an affiliate company. The TSA is a triplet and the FS is a doublet, very different.

Canon has nothing to do with this new design except that they own a large share of Ohara's stock and hence Ohara is an affiliate subsidiary of Canon.

All of Takahashi's telescopes are designed by Takahashi.

Art Ciampi