Capture exceptional images of night sky wonders with the GSO 8" Ritchey-Chrétien Astrograph. This true astrograph is optimized for astrophotographic use with APS-C and 35mm CCD cameras and DSLRs. With several key advantages over Schmidt-Cassegrains and other imaging telescopes, this 8" Ritchey-Chrétien, or "RC", is a remarkable telescope that delivers amazing, flat-field images which are virtually coma-free to the edge of the fully illuminated field.
This 8" (203mm) aperture RC combines the highly regarded Ritchey-Chrétien optical design with excellent light-gathering capability, high-end features, and durable construction to provide astrophotographers with an exceptional instrument at an amazing value. Unlike conventional Newtonian reflector and Schmidt-Cassegrain designs that are susceptible to coma away from the center of the field, the GSO 8" Ritchey-Chrétien Astrograph optical tube utilizes hyperbolic primary and secondary mirrors, made of low-expansion quartz glass, to achieve wonderfully flat-field images that are virtually devoid of coma with pinpoint star clarity. Plus, since there are no lenses in an RC telescope, captured images are delightfully free of chromatic aberrations for true-color performance.
The optical tube assembly of the GSO 8” RC Telescope is made of low expansion, lightweight carbon fiber. The finish looks great, and this OTA will cool down nicely due to the properties of the carbon fiber, and it has great strength for its weight. The carbon fiber GSO 8" Ritchey-Chrétien optical tube is fortified with 9 internal, computer-positioned knife-edge light baffles; and both the primary mirror tube and secondary mirror light shield are highly baffled to ensure maximum image contrast for bright images rich in detail. Unlike Schmidt-Cassegrains, the primary mirror of the 8" Ritchey-Chrétien telescope is fixed in-place to eliminate annoying "image shift" that can wreak havoc during imaging sessions. Enhanced aluminium coatings on both the primary and secondary mirrors of the 8" Ritchey-Chrétien Astrograph provide 96% reflectivity with a protective quartz overcoat. Designed with collimation in mind, the secondary mirror of the 8" RC is precisely center-marked to facilitate collimation adjustments should they become necessary.
The GSO 8" RC Astrograph features a machined, dual-speed (10:1) Crayford focuser equipped with a sturdy linear-bearing mechanism for enhanced rigidity and stable support of heavy astrophotography equipment. The rock-solid focuser provides 140.7mm of backfocus travel (238.1mm from the rear cell) to easily accommodate imaging accessory trains, and an engraved millimeter scale on the drawtube enables easy focus point repeatability. One 2" and two 1" machined focus extension rings are included so you can adjust focus position for various imaging cameras and accessories. A dovetail finder scope base allows easy installation of optional Mini Guide Scopes and aiming devices (sold separately). The 8" Ritchey-Chrétien tips the scales at 18.5 lbs. and is equipped with a wide "Losmandy-style" dovetail bar along its underside for easy attachment to large equatorial mounts. A unique, narrow dovetail bar along the top of the telescope allows easy attachment of optional guide scopes and other imaging accessories.
The GSO 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chrétien is a good telescope for astrophotography
The GSO 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chrétien (RC6) is ready for astrophotography with many good features for beautiful astrophotos.
2" Dual-speed Crayford focuser with Linear Bearing mechanism for extra support of heavy astrophotography equipment
Hyperbolic mirror that produce flat, sharp images with virtually no false color or coma
Computer-optimized light baffles in main tube, primary and secondary mirror light shield, providing high contrast images
No moving mirror parts resulting in a stable image while tracking an object across the sky
Mirrors made of low thermal expansion quartz, enhanced aluminium coatings on both primay and secondary mirrors with 96% reflectivity
Actual astrophotos taken from the GSO 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chrétien (RC8)
Credit: Astrobin
SPECIFICATIONS
Best for viewing
Deep sky
Best for imaging
Deep Sky
User level
Advanced
Optical design
Ritchey-Chretien
Optical diameter
203mm
Focal length
1600mm
Focal ratio
f/8.0
Optics type
Hyperbolic
Eyepieces
None
Resolving power
0.58arc*sec
Lowest useful magnification
29x
Highest useful magnification
236x
Highest theoretical magnification
400x
Limiting stellar magnitude
14.2
Optical quality
Diffraction limited
Finder scope
None
Focuser
2" Dual-Speed Linear bearing Crayford
Secondary mirror obstruction
95mm
Secondary mirror obstruction by diameter
47%
Secondary mirror obstruction by area
22%
Mirror coatings/over-coatings
Multi-coated with 99% Dielectric Coatings & Low Thermal Expansion Quartz
Mount type
OTA without mount
Tube material
Carbon Fiber
Length of optical tube
21.8 in. (554mm)
Weight, optical tube
16.4 lbs. (7.4kg)
Additional included accessories
2" to 1.25" adapter, extension tube rings for achieving focus with different accessory configurations
GSO is a leader in optical telescopes and accessories and their products have been sold for years by the "Big Three" (Meade, Celestron and Orion) under their own brand names. GSO telescopes and accessories are also sold under different names world-wide; Zhumell (USA), Apertura (USA), TPO (USA), Teleskop Service (Germany), Sky Optic (France), Antares (Canada), Astronz (New Zealand), and more than a dozen more brands too many to name. GSO is known for their high consistency in quality control, low defect rate, and their Taiwanese-based manufacturing scores closer to Japan in quality than other telescope manufacturers which mostly manfacture thier scopes in Mainland China. Give these telescopes a try - you will not be disappointed!
ZWO 2" nosepiece with M54 male threads. M54x0.75 male thread on one side and a 2" barrel with M48x0.75 female thread on the other side. Can be used as a 2" nosepiece with ZWO and other larger cameras that have M54 threads. Allows use of 2" astronomy filters at the bottom of the nosepiece. Made of black anodized aluminum.
Askar M54 M48 T-Ring for Canon EOS R Mirrorless Cameras
In astrophotography, Nikon, Canon, Sony mirrorless cameras have been used more and more frequently by astronomy amateurs in recent years. Therefore, on the basis of the DSLR camera adapters,Sharpstar have introduced camera adapters suitable for Nikon Z, Canon R and Sony E mirrorless cameras.
Out of the box, this adapter has an installed ring with an M48x0.75 female thread. This can be removed to expose an M54x0.75 female thread.
Nice kit with good selection of quality lenses and a case that is strurdy and will stand many mishaps and protect your lenses in the field. I was able to add 3 more locations for some of my existing lenses.