If you're ready to step up your astrophotography game—or simply want a big aperture telescope that won’t weigh down your mount or your budget—the iOptron 8" f/4 Imaging Newtonian Reflector (#6312) is a smart, capable, and highly versatile OTA. Designed for fast, wide-field imaging, this scope brings a lot to the table: a full 203mm of aperture, an impressively short focal length of 800mm, and a finely-machined Crayford-style focuser that’s pre-drilled for iOptron’s iEAF electronic autofocuser.
While it’s marketed as an “imaging” Newtonian, don’t let the label fool you—it performs beautifully at the eyepiece, too. Whether you’re photographing distant galaxies or visually scanning star clusters in real time, this 8" Newtonian serves up bright, sharp views with the kind of performance that outpaces most refractors in its price range.
Fast Optics for Deep Sky Imaging
With an f/4 focal ratio, this OTA is built to deliver quick exposures and a wide field of view—ideal for framing large nebulae, emission regions, and broad galaxy fields. The relatively short 800mm focal length helps minimize guiding demands while still giving enough reach for smaller targets. For imagers using APS-C or full-frame sensors, it hits a sweet spot between field width and detail—especially when paired with a coma corrector (not included).
Thanks to its fast light cone and generous 203mm aperture, it also excels under less-than-perfect skies, pulling in faint objects quickly before sky glow or moonlight wash them out.
Visual Performance That Surprises
While the optics and layout clearly favor astrophotography, the scope is also a very competent visual performer. Its low f/ratio gives wide-field eyepieces room to breathe, delivering immersive views of the Milky Way, open clusters, and large deep-sky objects. A well-collimated f/4 Newtonian can also handle planetary viewing with excellent contrast when paired with quality eyepieces and a good coma corrector.
At just under 21 lbs, the 8" OTA is mount-friendly and manageable for most mid-size equatorial systems. It offers big aperture performance without the handling challenges of larger tubes.
iEAF-Compatible 2" Crayford Focuser
The dual-speed 2" Crayford-style focuser is designed for precision and stability. It includes a 10:1 microfocus knob for critical focusing—especially important at fast focal ratios. The focuser is pre-drilled for the iOptron iEAF motorized focuser, allowing you to easily upgrade to automated, software-controlled focusing when you're ready to automate your imaging workflow. The included 2" to 1.25" adapter accepts any standard eyepiece or camera accessory.
Rigid, Mount-Ready Hardware
The tube is cradled by CNC-machined rings with tapped holes for accessories and a Vixen-style dovetail rail for compatibility with popular mounts like the iOptron GEM28, CEM26, and HEM27. An 8x50 straight-through optical finder is included, providing a wide field for initial alignment and target acquisition.
Fully Collimatable Optical System
As with any fast Newtonian, alignment is critical for top-tier performance. Both the primary and secondary mirrors are adjustable, and the tube maintains collimation well once dialed in. A laser or Cheshire collimator is recommended for setup and maintenance.
What's in the Box:
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8" f/4 Newtonian Optical Tube Assembly (OTA)
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Dual-speed 2" Crayford-style focuser (iEAF-ready)
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2" to 1.25" adapter with compression ring
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CNC-machined tube rings
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Vixen-style mounting dovetail
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8x50 straight-through finder with bracket
Technical Specifications:
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Optical Design: Newtonian reflector
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Aperture: 203mm (8")
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Focal Length: 800mm
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Focal Ratio: f/4
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Focuser: 2" dual-speed Crayford, iEAF mounting holes pre-drilled
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Eyepiece Compatibility: 1.25" and 2"
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Tube Length: Approx. 28.3" (720mm)
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OTA Weight: Approx. 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg)
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Included Finder: 8x50 straight-through
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Part Number: 6312
Visual Observing Tip:
With a 24mm–30mm wide-field eyepiece, this scope becomes a fantastic visual instrument. The fast focal ratio yields rich-field views that rival much more expensive setups—particularly in dark skies. Add a coma corrector and you’ll enjoy crisp stars edge-to-edge, even with long focal length 2" eyepieces.
Imaging Tip:
Pair this OTA with a coma corrector for sharp imaging across the full field, especially with APS-C and full-frame sensors. Add the iOptron iEAF electronic focuser and you’re ready for fully automated focusing sessions in NINA, SGP, or Ekos. With a capable mount and guidescope, this 8" reflector will easily pull in deep sky targets with beautiful detail.
