TS-PHOTON 12" F5 Advanced Newtonian Telescope with white Metal Tube

TS-PHOTON 12" f/5 Newtonian telescope for observing and astrophotography

This telescope from the PHOTON series is a true all-round telescope and one of the most powerful telescopes in this price range. With its versatile focal ratio of f/5, this Newtonian provides best prerequsites for lunar and planetary observations. The optimized secondary mirror with 80 mm diameter (minor axis) is designed as well for deep-sky observation as for astrophotography. The obstruction of only 26% and the extremely precise primary mirror allow magnifications up to approximately 750% at suitable low seeing. The limit of the resolution is in effect only the blurring from the earth´s atmosphere, the seeing.

The 12" f/5 PHOTON Newton already needs a stronger mount, for example the EQ8 from Skywatcher or the CGX from Celestron. With the CGX the Newtonian is even still mobile usable, while regarding the tube length of 1400 mm has to be regarded. But the 12" Photon Newtonian is mainly a telescope for stationary installation in the garden or in an observatory.

The advantages of this PHOTON Newtonians at a glance:

Moderate aperture ratio for short exposure times in astrophotography.

Very good sharpness on moon and planets

The secondary mirror provides good illumination, for example for DSLR cameras

High backfocus allows using standard coma correctors and cameras

High-quality primary mirror made of optical BK7 glass with enhanced 94% reflection for a bright clear image.

Central mark at the primary mirror for easy precise collimation.

Stable 1:10 dual speed 2" Crayford focuser with 1.25" reduction

Motor focus can be retrofitted at any time.

Faster cooling down for observing and photographing earlier due to fan for the primary mirror

Steel tube and metal mirror cells for optimal collimation stability

Only from TS: carbon tube for retrofitting - for ultimative transportation

Why do we recommend a Newtonian from the Photon series instead of all other comparable Newtonians?

The primary mirrors of the Photon series are made by GSO. The manufacturer has been keeping the optical performance of the mirrors on constantly high level for years. The Photon Newtonian telescopes are made to the specifications of Teleskop-Service. The size of the secondary mirror is optimized, the distances of the focus position is optimized for observation as well as for phpotography. But above all, Photon Newtonians can adapt to your interest, they can "grow" with your demands:

For every Photon 12" Newtonian, we offer a carbon tube kit on which you can continue to use all parts of your Newtonian.

We offer smaller or large secondary mirrors so you can customize the Newtonian to your interest, no matter whether you opt for planetary observation or take images with a full-frame size sensor.

The precise 2" Crayford focuser with 1:10 micro transmission:

We offer this Newtonian telescope with a 2" Crayford focuser with integrated 1:10 dual speed transmission. This focuser works very accurate even with heavy accessories like astro cameras. With a bit of experience, you can achieve a focusing accuracy of around 0.08 mm which is sufficient even for sensors with very high resolution.

The focuser is fully compatible with the optional TS Motorfocus system, allowing vibration free and precise focusing for visual observing or astro-imaging.

Quick manual for the focuser: Telescope-Service provides a quick guide for the TS Crayford focusers. You can download the PDF here.

High-quality primary mirror with f/5 and 94% reflectivity

This Newtonian shows its full potential at observation and astrophotography due to a high-quality primary mirror made of optical BK7 glass, free from internal stress. The parabolic mirror has a 94% reflectivity coating, thus offering a brighter and contrasty image. You can instantaneously notice the difference to a standard coating.

With the focal ratio of f/5, the Newtonian belongs to the all-round telescopes for astrophotography and observing.

No vignetting at the edge - full illumination through large 80 mm secondary mirror

No shadow at the edge, you will be satisfied with a bright image with full illumination even with modern DSLR or CCD cameras. But 2" wide field eypieces are also supplied with light up the the edge of the field stop.

Enjoy your image more with optimal field correction - advisory service from Teleskop-Service

Only a good coma corrector turns this Newtonian into a true astrograph. Our recommendation is the TSGPU corrector which is ideal for this telescope. It will provide maximum sharpness in the entire field, so only the TSGPU (see accessory recommendations) makes a true astrograph out of this Newtonian.

Astrophotography with DSLR cameras:

TSGPU Coma Corrector

SKM48-... matching T-Ring to the camera mount

... and you already have the optimal distance and get sharp stars in the entire field of view. Guiding can be done via the finder or a small guiding scope which fits into the finder shoe (or bracket).

Astrophotography with the ZWO ASI 1600 camera
The highly sensitive camera and the fast Newtonian with the TSGPU corrector are an optimal team for astrophotography. The stars are sharp to the edge. The adaption from the corrector to the camera is easy, we will be happy to advise you.

The advantage - you have galaxies, nebulae and star clusters on the sensor already after 40 seconds. Longer exposure times are not necessary, guiding can be dropped. Simply let the well polar aligned mount track and wonderful astrophotographs form almost on their own. The fast f/5 speed of the Newtonian and the extremely fast sensor of the camera are making it possible.

Introducing the TS PHOTON telescope series

A picture is worth a thousand words, a video is even more helpful - so TS made one:

Collimating Newtonian telescopes made easy

Collimating a Newtonian telescope is not difficult at all, as the following video shows:

Safety informations: PDF Download