In 2025, First Light Optics announced a new addition to its in-house brand of telescopes, the StellaMira range.
The StellaMira 86mm ED f/7 quadruplet refractor refractor is the first four-element telescope in the collection, with two extra-low-dispersion (ED) elements and a built-in flattener that promises a perfectly flat field of view, from corner to corner.
It provides 602mm of focal length, which is perfect for a wide variety of popular targets.
And despite the rapidly disappearing darkness of our spring skies, we were excited to make the most of every clear moment to try it out.
Unboxing and setting up
The StellaMira 86mm ED f/7 quadruplet refractor is provided in a sturdy aluminium carry case, with a fitted foam insert to protect the refractor and its accessories.
Out of the box, the quality of the build and all of the fittings is immediately obvious.
The tube feels very solid without being heavy, while other elements are CNC machined, with no plastic in sight.
There’s an integrated, retractable aluminium dew shield that extends with a twist motion, which we knew we would welcome in the humid evenings.
We were also pleasantly surprised to see a Losmandy dovetail.
As is usual with First Light Optics’s own-brand telescopes, the StellaMira 86mm ED quadruplet comes with lots of small extras as standard.
Apart from the carry case, these include not one but two finder shoes, M54 and M48 adaptors, and a carrying handle on top which doubles as a finderscope clamp.
Even though this telescope is marketed as primarily for imaging, there’s a 2-inch-to-1.25-inch adaptor at the back that could take a diagonal and eyepieces for visual observation.
Getting ready
To make the best of the last few hours of true darkness, we decided to test the StellaMira 86mm ED f/7 quadruplet refractor on a galaxy using our ZWO ASI2600MC Air camera.
To attach the camera to the telescope, we had to first find a 1.5mm Allen key to detach the 2-inch-to-1.25-inch adaptor from the back, which is held in place by three small grub screws.
This step may not be immediately obvious to first-time users, and there was no instruction manual or even a basic setup diagram to guide us.
If components require screwing or unscrewing, the appropriate tool should be supplied.
A brief manual would also help users who want to fit an electronic focuser, or switch between imaging setups.
When a clear night finally arrived, setting up the telescope proved quick and effortless.
The built-in flattener meant we wasted no time making fiddly adjustments; instead, we simply had to plug the camera in and focus.
This design will be greatly appreciated by all who, like us, need to make use of every minute and start imaging with no fuss.
Focusing was also a speedy job. The rack-and-pinion focuser has a buttery-smooth action and there were no vibrations even when focusing manually.
How the StellaMira 86mm ED performed
Over the following nights, we aimed the StellaMira 86mm ED f/7 quadruplet refractor at M101, the Pinwheel Galaxy, as well as some star clusters.
This gave us the opportunity to check stars across the frame – and we were genuinely impressed.
There was no visible chromatic aberration, and star shapes were round and tight.
Under extreme scrutiny, we noticed a minuscule variation in the roundness of stars at the very edge of two corners, but this truthfully was not enough to warrant any attention.
During later imaging sessions, we were able to test out the optional extra to our setup: a 0.8x reducer/flattener supplied by First Light Optics.
It delivered excellent performance and, importantly, did so without compromising the built-in flattener – one of the telescope’s standout features.
We were left very impressed with the capabilities of this astrograph, especially considering its price point.
The StellaMira 86mm ED f/7 quadruplet refractor would make the perfect winter companion for any astrophotographer.
StellaMira 86mm ED’s four-element optics
Inside the StellaMira 86mm quadruplet refractor are two extra-low-dispersion (ED)lens elements, with fully coated optics that deliver high contrast and minimal chromatic aberration.
We were pleased to see both these characteristics were evident in our resulting images, which were crisp and detailed even under lighter skies.
We were also impressed to note that the optics are bench-tested – that’s not always the case, so it’s worth highlighting.
The built-in flattener design of a quadruplet telescope not only corrects field curvature, but eliminates tedious back-focus calculations or the need for a separate accessory: simply attach your camera and focus.
This simplicity makes it an especially attractive option if you’re looking for your first astrograph and want a hassle-free introduction to imaging.
It’s also appealing if you’re more experienced and aiming to simplify your setup and maximise precious imaging time.
If you’d still like the flexibility of using a reducer, StellaMira offers an optically matched 0.8x reducer/flattener designed specifically for this telescope and keeps the flat field intact.
StellaMira 86mm ED’s five best features
High-quality build
The body of the StellaMira 86mm ED refractor has a stylish and sturdy feel, with an aluminium tube, integrated dew shield and CNC-machined tube rings and handle. All the components feel solid without being bulky. The red anodised camera-angle adjuster and fine focuser are a lovely touch on the black tube.
Dew shield
On the front of the StellaMira is a 123mm metal dew shield that can be extended and retracted with a twist motion. For an extra layer of protection against dew on very humid or damp nights, dew heaters can be easily attached behind the dew shield and front cell.
Focuser
The focuser is a 3.2-inch dual-speed rack-and-pinion type, with 1:10 gearing – perfect for fine focusing. It provides a pleasingly smooth action that makes manual focus easy. On the back, there’s also a 360° camera-angle adjuster ring which rotates and can be secured by the metal thumbscrew.
Losmandy plate
Unlike many of its counterparts on the market, the StellaMira 86mm ED comes with a Losmandy-type dovetail plate, which is wider than the more common Vixen type. This allows the telescope to sit on a flat surface with more stability, while it felt very secure and balanced on the mount.
Carry case
The telescope comes packed in a sturdy aluminium case with a top handle, making it an ideal travel companion for dark-sky seekers. Inside is a custom-shaped foam insert to keep the scope snug, as well as space for the accessories. For extra security, it comes with a key.
Key specs
- Price: £1,199
- Optics: Quadruplet refractor
- Aperture: 86mm
- Focal length: 602mm, f/7
- Focuser: Dual-speed rack and pinion
- Extras: Tube rings with finder clamp handle, Losmandy-type dovetail, camera adaptors, two finder shoes, carry case
- Weight: 5.8kg
- Supplier: First Light Optics
- Email: questions@firstlightoptics.com
- www.firstlightoptics.com
This review appeared in the September 2025 issue of BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Source link
