Widescreen's superb line-up of elite brand Apochromatic refractors now includes the industry-standard excellence of APM TMB - hand-built optical tube assemblies with triplet lenses designed by Thomas M. Back. All models come with optical test certification and various package options are available with mounts & accessories from Widescreen's diverse range - call Simon on (020) 7935 2580 to discuss your exact requirements or to ask for advice.It is with sadness that we learned this week of the passing of Thomas M Back, whose legacy, in the quality of his optical designs, will live on. He was only 50 years old. Condolences to his family and many friends in the astronomical community.
TMB Optical has been designing optical systems for the amateur and professional market since 1990 and is responsible for some of the finest true apochromatic refractors available. By using the most advanced Russian-made optics in fully optimized air-spaced triplet designs, TMB has created optical systems that are simultaneously corrected for false colour, coma, spherical and higher order aberrations. The result is a series of telescopes that are a clear step above the performance of the many so-called apos and semi-apos that use inferior low dispersion ED glass or doublet designs that have a violet residual spectrum. They will satisfy avid planetary and deep space observers, as well as the most advanced astro-imager.
Currently available in sizes from 80mm up to over 500mm with tube assemblies precision CNC machined in Germany, the focusers are oversized to allow the unvignetted use of 6 x 7 cameras for wide field astrophotography. An optional 6 x 7 field corrector, matched to each telescope aperture and focal length, allows pinpoint star images across the entire field. All eyepiece adapters use clamping rings for a non-marring and very firm grip on heavy accessories. The focus knobs are large, and have rubber grip rings for a precise control. Tube exteriors are finished with a high quality gloss white automotive paint and hard anodized trim. The interiors are fully ray-traced for optimum baffling, with knife-edge baffles and flocked paper. The dew cap is baffled and flocked, and retracts for storage when not in use.
