Product Details
An Ultra-Fast Wide Field Refractor
With a blazing-fast f/3.8 focal ratio, the William Optics Pleiades 68 is one of the fastest refractors available on the market! Featuring a focal length of 260mm, the Pleiades 68 is designed to capture wide field objects in less time. Compared to an f/5.6 telescope, the Pleiades 68 will gather more than twice the light with equivalent exposure time.
Typically, refractors can't be made this fast without major sacrifices made to the image circle. But the Pleiades 68 retains a 45mm image circle capable of producing nearly-round stars on a full frame sensor. With modern AI tools like BlurXTerminator that help correct for optical imperfections, you can have the speedy refractor of your dreams without losing the sweet full frame field of view.
With a blazing-fast f/3.8 focal ratio, the William Optics Pleiades 68 is one of the fastest refractors available on the market! Featuring a focal length of 260mm, the Pleiades 68 is designed to capture wide field objects in less time. Compared to an f/5.6 telescope, the Pleiades 68 will gather more than twice the light with equivalent exposure time.
Typically, refractors can't be made this fast without major sacrifices made to the image circle. But the Pleiades 68 retains a 45mm image circle capable of producing nearly-round stars on a full frame sensor. With modern AI tools like BlurXTerminator that help correct for optical imperfections, you can have the speedy refractor of your dreams without losing the sweet full frame field of view.
Septuplet Lens Design & Pleiades Name
The Pleiades 68 features seven lens elements — three of which are super ED (premium glass) elements — which allow it to achieve such an impressively flat field. Like its bigger sibling, the Pleiades 111, these seven lenses are also where it gets it name from: the Pleiades constellation is also known as the "seven sisters."
The Pleiades 68 features seven lens elements — three of which are super ED (premium glass) elements — which allow it to achieve such an impressively flat field. Like its bigger sibling, the Pleiades 111, these seven lenses are also where it gets it name from: the Pleiades constellation is also known as the "seven sisters."
WIFD Focuser: Rugged & EAF Compatible
Like other newer scopes from William Optics, the Pleiades 68 comes equipped with the groundbreaking WIFD (William Optics Internal Focus Design) focuser. This dual speed, 10:1 focuser moves the drawtube internally, which essentially eliminates sensor tilt and vignetting. If you do encounter any tilt, the Pleiades 68 comes with a rear-facing tilt adapter with push/pull screws to allow you to dial in your imaging train. This patented design is also compatible with the ZWO EAF out of the box. See the manual below for detailed instructions on how to attach it.
Like other newer scopes from William Optics, the Pleiades 68 comes equipped with the groundbreaking WIFD (William Optics Internal Focus Design) focuser. This dual speed, 10:1 focuser moves the drawtube internally, which essentially eliminates sensor tilt and vignetting. If you do encounter any tilt, the Pleiades 68 comes with a rear-facing tilt adapter with push/pull screws to allow you to dial in your imaging train. This patented design is also compatible with the ZWO EAF out of the box. See the manual below for detailed instructions on how to attach it.
William Optics Pleiades 68 Specifications:
- Design: 7-element APO refractor with built-in flattener
- Focal Length: 260mm
- Aperture: 68mm
- Focal Ratio: f/3.8
- Image circle: 45mm
- Recommended Back Focus: 55mm
- Adapters: M48 & M54 camera adapter included
- Focuser: WIFD (WO INTERNAL FOCUS DESIGN) | Compatible with EAF
- Lens Material: FPL-53
- Camera Format: Full Frame | DSLR | Mirrorless| CMOS | CCD
- T-Mounts Supported: Canon EF, RF | Nikon F, Z | Sony E | Pentax K | Micro Four Thirds (M4/3) | FUJI X
- Dew Shield Diameter: 103mm
- Total Length (dew shield extended): 410mm
- Total Length (dew shield retracted): 366mm
- Weight (OTA only): 6.6 lbs (8.5 kg)
- Weight (OTA with accessories attached): 8.5 lbs (3.8 kg)
Please note: The focuser travel does not extend over the full range of the markings shown on the telescope tube. This is normal in all WO WIFD/Pleides telescopes and not a defect in your particular unit.
- Design: 7-element APO refractor with built-in flattener
- Focal Length: 260mm
- Aperture: 68mm
- Focal Ratio: f/3.8
- Image circle: 45mm
- Recommended Back Focus: 55mm
- Adapters: M48 & M54 camera adapter included
- Focuser: WIFD (WO INTERNAL FOCUS DESIGN) | Compatible with EAF
- Lens Material: FPL-53
- Camera Format: Full Frame | DSLR | Mirrorless| CMOS | CCD
- T-Mounts Supported: Canon EF, RF | Nikon F, Z | Sony E | Pentax K | Micro Four Thirds (M4/3) | FUJI X
- Dew Shield Diameter: 103mm
- Total Length (dew shield extended): 410mm
- Total Length (dew shield retracted): 366mm
- Weight (OTA only): 6.6 lbs (8.5 kg)
- Weight (OTA with accessories attached): 8.5 lbs (3.8 kg)
Please note: The focuser travel does not extend over the full range of the markings shown on the telescope tube. This is normal in all WO WIFD/Pleides telescopes and not a defect in your particular unit.
What's in the Box
- Pleiades 68mm APO Refractor OTA
- M48 and M54 Camera Adapters
- Dust Cover with Bahtinov Mask
- Saddle Handlebar
- Camera Angle Rotator
- Tilt Adapter
- 210mm Vixen V Style Dovetail Plate
- Tube Rings
- Soft Carry Case
- Pleiades 68mm APO Refractor OTA
- M48 and M54 Camera Adapters
- Dust Cover with Bahtinov Mask
- Saddle Handlebar
- Camera Angle Rotator
- Tilt Adapter
- 210mm Vixen V Style Dovetail Plate
- Tube Rings
- Soft Carry Case
Other Information
- Country of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Country of Manufacture: Taiwan