Astro-Physics AP 140 5.5” f/7.5 Starfire EDF4 Unused (+ Accessories)

Price is for an unused Astro-Physics 140mm f/7.5 EDF4 Triplet Apochromat with 4" Giant (4FOC3E-FT) greaseless focuser. Reported to be one of the finest corrected APs in the line-up and is no longer made and fairly rare. Serial #37 out of a small production run of around 80 or so. Has an aspherical element and ultra-low dispersion FPL-53 glass element and is an oil-spaced triplet for fast cool-down time to ambient temp. Accessories are separately listed and priced.

I purchased the scope from an individual from Hamburg in Germany in 2009 who had purchased it directly from the European distributer for AP, namely Baader Planetarium in Germany in 2008 and had not used it. I collected the scope in February 2009 in person from Germany and brought the scope back to London by train. The scope has not ever been used - I am reluctantly selling this scope & accessories as I have other life priorities now. The scope has been carefully stored since purchase with dessicant at low/moderate temperature & low/moderate humidity inside the house in London in its original AP case and box, although the box has been opened for inspection. The lens has not been subjected to either very low or high temperatures and has not been subjected to thousands of extreme temperature cycles that would lead to thermal expansion and contraction if it had been housed in an eternal observatory.

The objective and scope are in pristine condition brand new unused condition. There are no scratches, fingerprints, smudges or dust on the objective and the oil-separated triplet is in perfect condition including shims. I sent the objective cell for evaluation by AP (as of Jan 2025) and it was confirmed as having coatings in excellent shape and lens in pristine condition and also confirming that the lens is well corrected just the same as it was when it was first produced, with no change to the optical figure. You are getting a pristine "as new" objective lens here, as confirmed by AP. Accessories listed are also brand new unused in their original boxes or sealed bags.

Can ship internationally. FedEx has been better than UPS in my experience. Regarding tariffs in USA from UK, because the entire scope was made in the USA and rules of origin apply, then it will be exempt from import tariffs back into the USA. "Astro-Physics" and "USA" are engraved on the scope and 155TCC.

SHIPPING
For shipping the scope would come in two boxes:

 1. Main box 110cm x 34cm x 33cm weight 20kg contains OTA (with lens cell removed) and correct Allen Key (I think 7/64" TBC) for re-assembling OTA and lens cell - FedEx Intl Economy with Signature quote: £250.29 = $330

2. Special protective box (from AP) for objective lens cell assembly and O-rings 38cm x 38cm x 38cm weight about 6kg - FedEx Intl Economy with Signature quote: £144.62 = $200

3. Additional items/accessories may be possible to pack with the objective lens cell assembly but most accessories will need another box.

Scope + O-rings shipping = $530 approx. (TBC)

I can arrange inspection of the scope and accessories in person or via a video call and provide more photographs as may be requested. For UK buyers, there will be no VAT on sale as I am selling the items as second hand as a private individual. I have many more photos of the items than can be uploaded here, so please ask and I will send them to you directly.

From AP website:

"Astro-Physics introduced the prototype of this new triplet apochromatic refractor at the Northeast Astronomy Forum (NEAF) on April 28, 2007. Roland designed this scope with approximately the same focal length as our original 155mm f/7 StarFire (as well as the 130 f/8 and f/8.3 StarFires), so that it can be used with all of the same specialized astrophotography / imaging accessories that were originally designed for these earlier telescopes. Visual astronomers will enjoy the 1050mm focal length, which allows a full range of eyepiece designs from simple to complex to produce extremely sharp planetary images. We are certain that astro-imagers, as well as visual observers, will find this scope a real joy to use.

Lens: This new triplet refractor features exquisite Astro-Physics optics and has the latest multi-coating technology, just like our 160mm StarFire EDF. This oil-spaced apochromat uses the highest grade of optical glass to achieve exceptional image brightness and excellent color correction, ideal for all visual and imaging needs."

Telescope:
1. Brand new (in opened box), Astro-Physics (140EDF4) triplet apochromatic refractor in original case and box with 4" Giant (4FOC3E-FT) greaseless focuser with FeatherTouch 9:1 dual-speed reduction knobs and original AP 6.5 inch mounting rings: $10500, £7600 or €8750

Included in the price of the scope:
a. Two AP 6.5 inch mounting rings that came with the scope
b. Original AP case that the scope came with including external packing box.
c. AP 4 inch focuser

Accessories: (priority goes to whoever buys the scope):
2. Brand new in box 0.76x Telecompressor for AP155 f7 Starfire EDF & AP140 F7.5 StarFire EDF with 4" focuser (155TCC): $1,600, £1,200 or €1,400
3. Brand new in box Baader Planetarium FFC Flatfield Converter (BPFFC): $725, £550 or €625
4. Brand new in box AP 2" T-2 Adapter with Brass Locking Ring for Baader Planetarium FFC Flatfield Converter (ADAT2): $50, £50 or €60
5. Brand new sealed AP MAXBRIGHT 2" Mirror Diagonal with dielectric coating (PMDMAX): $375, £300 or €350
6. Brand new in box Kendrick Premier Controller Deluxe (KDRPCPDX): $425, £350 or €400
7. Brand new sealed Alligator Clips for Kendrick Dew Remover (KDRALL): $25, £20 or €25
8. Brand new sealed Kendrick Dew Remover 2" (KDR002): $60, £50 or €60
9. Brand new sealed Kendrick Dew Remover 6" (KDR006): $75, £60 or €70