TS-Optics GSO Photon 8" F5 Advanced Newtonian Telescope OTA

TS PHOTON 8" f/5 Newtonian telescope - for observing and astrophotography

This telescope is a true all-rounder and ranks among the best in this range. Through the versatile focal ratio of f/5, the Newtonian offers best prerequisites for lunar and planetary observations. The optimized secondary mirror is designed for deep-sky observations as well as for astrophotography.

The advantages of the PHOTON Newtonian at a glance:

Moderate focal ratio for short exposure times for astrophotography.

Very high sharpness on moon and planets

Secondary mirror provides good illumination, for example for DSLR cameras

Large backfocus allows using popular coma correctors and cameras

High-quality primary mirror of optical BK7 glass with enhanced 94% reflectivity coating provides a bright, clear image.

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

Motor focus can be retrofitted at any time

Quicker cooling down, quicker observing, quicker photographing through fan for the primary mirror

Steel tube and metal mirror cells for optimal adjustment stability

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

Why do we recommend a PHOTON Newtonian instead of all other comparable Newtonians?

This PHOTON Newtonian telescope has GSO optics inside. The manufacturer keeps the optical performance of the mirrors on constantly high level. What is more, a PHOTON Newtonian telescope can grow with your demands:

For the 8" Photon Newtonian, we offer a Carbon Tube Upgrade Kit where you can reuse all components of your Newtonian, except the tube.

We offer secondary mirrors of different sizes so you can adapt the Newtonian to your individual demands, whether planetary observation or deep-sky imaging with full-size sensor.

The precise 2" crayford focuser with 1:10 dual speed transmission:

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

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 contrastier image. You can instantaneously notice the difference to a standard coating.

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

No vignetting at the edge - full illumination through large 63 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 eypeces are also supplied with light up to 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 high 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:

Astrophotographic results obtained with this telescope on Astrobin

Here you can find some astrophotographs made with this telescope model: Link to Astrobin

Astrophotographic results obtained with this telescope on Astrobin

Here you can find some astrophotographs made with this telescope model: Link to Astrobin

Photographic results with the GSO 200mm f5 Newtonian:

Moon in prime focus of the 200 mm f5 Newtonian of M. Finze - cropped




M31 with Canon 20DA DSLR Kamera - used coma corrector was the Baader MPCC. Location: Emberger Alm in Carinthia

Link to a bigger version at the private Website of Wolfi Ransburg



Primary Mirror Cooling Fan

Instead of chosing exotic and incredibly expensive mirror substrates we have chosen to equip this telescope with a primary mirror cooling fan to accelerate cool-down time to ambient temperature. Until a mirror is properly cooled down it will create currents of warm air that will deteriorate the image - no matter which mirror substrate is used. Only after the mirror has cooled down this effect stops.