Attaching a finderscope to a DSLR? (Zenithstar 61 Rig)

[04Stefan07]

I am preparing my portable imaging rig (wide-field) with my WO Zenithstar 61, DSLR and field flat and wanted to ask the best way to get a finderscope on this setup.

I will be using the Skywatcher Star Adventuer mount.

If you scroll down here half way you can see this person attached the finderscope onto the top of the DSLR but I can't make out how they did it.

https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/297118-new-william-optics-zenithstar-61-apo/?page=3

Any ideas on this? Eventually I would like to get a guidescope and have a dedicated guide camera but for now a simple finderscope would suffice.

Also if anyone here has/had a Zenithstar 61 I would very much like to see how you set it up!

[Merlin66]

I thinks there's a hot shoe to finder adaptor available somewhere....
Here's one:
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p8824_Geoptik-Finderscope-Adapterfor-DSLR-cameras.html

I use a small "universal" Vixen dovetail which has a finder shoe + 8x50 finder on one end and the DSLR/ Objective grating at the other....
I can upload an image if it would help.

Interesting discussion here:
https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/288596-mounting-a-finder-scopeautoguider-on-a-dslr-camera/

[bojan]

Here:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1652883
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:15298



and here:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=145306&highlight=life+easier

[AstroApprentice]

Hi Stefan,
If you have a RDF with a rifle rail mount, then this one is cheaper than the Geoptik:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Aluminum-View-Finder-Mount-Sight-Scope-Hot-Shoe-Adapter-for-Canon-for-Nikon-DSLR-Camera-Bird/32807875877.html?spm=2114.search010 4.3.2.44c72338H1uMAf&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb20 1602_3_10152_10151_10065_10344_1013 0_10068_10342_10547_10343_10340_105 48_10341_10696_10084_10083_10618_10 307_10131_10132_10133_10059_100031_ 10103_524_10624_10623_10622_10621_1 0620,searchweb201603_1,ppcSwitch_7&algo_expid=3ba0cc76-20db-41a1-a6e4-5da01a90415c-0&algo_pvid=3ba0cc76-20db-41a1-a6e4-5da01a90415c&priceBeautifyAB=0
Or you can buy the two parts separately and put together for even less.

[CJ]

Another possibility
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Optical-Reflex-Red-Green-Dot-Sight-Scope-4-Patterned-Reticle-w-Camera-Mount/172657406458?hash=item28332ef1fa:g: LXQAAOSwQS1aDS9O

[Icearcher]

Hi Stefan

Any reason for not mounting it to the scope directly? Wouldn't that be a more stable setup? Whats the risk that the added weight would move your focus?

There is a finder bracket for your scope:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/finders/william-optics-finder-bracket.html

Im in a similar position to you, I have a SA and plan to start guiding as well. Im thinking of mounting my finder on the other end of the L bracket to help with balance.

Regards
Chris