Go Back   IceInSpace > Beginners Start Here > Beginners Equipment Discussions

Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread
  #1  
Old 26-01-2017, 05:40 PM
LaughingBeagles's Avatar
LaughingBeagles (Peter)
Registered User

LaughingBeagles is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Ocean Reef, Western Australia
Posts: 105
A really, really new guy question - the lid

So new, I might have even posted it in the wrong forum!!

So like most Noobs, I've been reading up on focusing my camera when taking the odd shot. And like most, I have awful trouble focusing my Canon 5D (or 550D for that matter) on my Celestron SLT 130.

No issues getting an image, it's the fine focus I struggle with. So Professor Google tells me that one way is the have two holes at the top of your scope and when the two images come together, you have focus.

My 130 came with a lid that appeared to have two caps covering holes, but when I went to check, only one has a cap, the other appears a solid piece of plastic.

Try as I might, I cannot find what the purpose of the capped whole and soild plastic next to it on the lid.

Any ideas?

My apologies if I have posted in the wrong forum (wasn't sure it it was equipment or astrophotography related).

Pete
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 26-01-2017, 06:37 PM
raymo
Registered User

raymo is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: margaret river, western australia
Posts: 6,070
The hole is for viewing very bright objects such as the moon. It can also
be used for solar viewing or imaging if some Mylar solar filter
material is fitted securely over the hole. The raised piece is for storing the cap when using the hole. {put the finder scope's, cap on, or remove the finderscope when observing the sun, very dangerous for the eyes}
The easiest and quickest way to focus at night is to get a Bahtinov mask
for your scope[about $40]. You can also focus on bright stars using your
camera's Live View function and magnifying the star by 5 or 10x. When
focus is obtained on a bright star, lock the focuser, making sure you didn't
upset the focus by doing that, and then move the scope to your target.
raymo

Last edited by raymo; 26-01-2017 at 06:42 PM. Reason: correction
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 27-01-2017, 01:17 PM
Allan_L's Avatar
Allan_L (Allan)
Member > 10year club

Allan_L is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Central Coast NSW
Posts: 3,336
as raymo has said,
plus one thing:
Once focused don't forget to remove the Bahtinov mask.
Sounds silly, but happens way too often.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 27-01-2017, 04:07 PM
LaughingBeagles's Avatar
LaughingBeagles (Peter)
Registered User

LaughingBeagles is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Ocean Reef, Western Australia
Posts: 105
Great posts and many thanks, will give it a go!

Pete
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 29-01-2017, 06:07 PM
StuTodd
Registered User

StuTodd is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Dunedin, New Zealand
Posts: 353
Try making your own mask.
Templates at http://www.deepskywatch.com/Articles...inov-mask.html

Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-02-2017, 08:42 PM
yoda776 (Matt)
Registered User

yoda776 is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 277
Thanks for asking the question Pete and the responses everyone - that helps me too.

Last edited by yoda776; 03-02-2017 at 08:42 PM. Reason: typos
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +10. The time is now 04:15 PM.

Powered by vBulletin Version 3.8.7 | Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Advertisement
Testar
Advertisement
Bintel
Advertisement