StellaLyra · 8-inch f/8 M-LRS Metal RC
Move from wide fields to closer compositions.
The StellaLyra 8-inch metal Ritchey–Chrétien pairs a 200mm aperture with a 1600mm focal length. Its folded optical design puts that focal length into a short tube, with a fixed primary mirror and a separate rear focuser.
Build around it when smaller deep-sky targets are your priority and you want to choose the camera, guiding and correction optics as a complete imaging system.
Where the metal model fits in the range.
This model has the same aperture and focal length as the 8-inch carbon-fibre RC. With the same camera and optical accessories, it therefore provides the same framing. The published weight with accessories is 8.5kg, compared with 7.48kg for the carbon version.
Compare the complete system cost alongside handling and mounting requirements. The tube is one part of the investment: reliable tracking, suitable camera connections and a repeatable focusing routine all matter to the finished image.
An RC design for imaging smaller targets.
Hyperbolic primary and secondary mirrors form the coma-corrected Ritchey–Chrétien system. Internal baffles help control stray light.
Test your intended galaxies and nebulae in a field-of-view planner with your actual sensor. Longer focal length can give a useful closer composition, while larger subjects may call for mosaics. Check image scale as well as framing: atmospheric seeing and mount performance influence how much detail the setup can record.
Match any correction optics to the RC system.
Coma correction does not guarantee a flat, sharp field over every sensor. Choose any reducer or flattener for the RC design and the camera you intend to use, checking sensor coverage and mechanical connections together.
A Newtonian coma corrector is not an interchangeable solution. If you already have accessories, send us their exact model names before ordering adapters. A shared barrel size is only one part of compatibility.
Refine focus while the primary remains fixed.
The 2-inch dual-speed linear-bearing Crayford focuser provides coarse and fine manual control at the rear of the tube. Focusing moves the camera or eyepiece rather than the primary mirror.
Support the camera while securing it, then check the assembly through different telescope orientations. Approach focus with short exposures and refine it using a consistent measurement. Recheck during the night as conditions change, and confirm motor and bracket compatibility separately if you plan autofocus.
Balance the finished rig, including its rear extension.
The tube is 457mm long and 229mm in diameter, with upper and lower mounting rails supplied. Confirm the supplied rail format against your mount saddle when planning the system.
Your camera, filter equipment and extension rings add length and weight behind the telescope. Fit those parts before balancing, then check saddle travel, pier or tripod clearance and cable movement. Include every accessory when assessing the mount load.
Use the extension rings to suit your camera.
Two 25mm rings and one 50mm ring are supplied. Select the combination needed to place your camera within the usable focusing range; all three are not automatically required.
A reducer or flattener has a separate specified sensor distance. Account for the camera’s sensor recess, filter hardware and adapters when setting that spacing. Keep a record of the final arrangement so removing the camera does not mean starting the setup process again.
Give the first session to setup checks.
Allow time for the telescope to settle towards outdoor conditions, and check collimation with a method appropriate to an RC. Avoid adjusting a well-aligned system without evidence that it needs attention.
Take short star-field exposures and inspect the centre and corners before committing to a long sequence. Work through focus, alignment, tilt, spacing and tracking one factor at a time if the stars are uneven. A compact tube still needs a tracking and guiding arrangement suited to its long focal length.
Included and purchased separately
| Supplied | Choose separately |
|---|---|
| Metal RC tube and fitted focuser | Tracking mount and tripod or pier |
| Upper and lower mounting rails | Camera, filters and camera adapters |
| 2-inch to 1.25-inch adapter | Any RC-compatible reducer or flattener |
| Two 25mm and one 50mm extension rings | Finder, guiding equipment and power |
| Finder base and front dust cover | Eyepieces and diagonal for visual use |
Specifications
| Design / aperture | Ritchey–Chrétien / 200mm |
|---|---|
| Focal length / ratio | 1600mm / f/8 |
| Tube material | Metal |
| Focusing | Fixed primary; 2-inch dual-speed linear-bearing Crayford |
| Length / diameter | 457mm / 229mm |
| Weight with included accessories | 8.5kg |
Common buying questions
Does it include everything needed for imaging?
No. The optical tube package needs a suitable mount, camera and connections, plus any guiding and correction optics required by your plan. Ask us to check the equipment you already own and identify what remains.
Is the finder included?
No. A mounting base is supplied, but the finder is purchased separately. An optical finder is a pointing aid and does not provide tracking or autoguiding.
Can I use an eyepiece?
Yes, with suitable accessories and an appropriate focus arrangement. If visual observing is your main aim, compare the full mounting and accessory requirements with the other telescope types in the StellaLyra range.
Availability reflects supplier stock and can change. Contact Dark Clear Skies to confirm dispatch timing if you need the telescope for a particular date.