What do i need to buy to attach a Canon 550D to a Skywatcher Dob

[Stu Ward]

Title pretty much sums it up

If people can post links to bits and pieces i would very much appreciate it as i'm :

1) Lazy
2) Stupid and would probably buy the wrong one

Thanks

Stu

[troypiggo (Troy)]

An EOS adapter and T ring would get you connecting to the Dob directly. Some other things to consider, though:

- Will the focuser be able to take the weight? Might need to upgrade the standard one.
- If you're wanting to take long exposures, you'd be wanting to put it on an equatorial mount. Not sure if you already have one.
- Might (probably will) get coma, so consider a Baader MPCC or Televue Paracorr to correct that.

[robert82]

Hi mate i have the EOS550D and i got my T-ring from bintel.com.au cost me $35.00 the other thing that i had to do was shorten my 5" dob because it would not focus.

[jenchris (Jennifer)]

I believe it will just focus if you get a low profile focuser - and possible a barlow might enable it. But as said above - the tube may have to be shortened.
Connecting a DSLR @ prime focus on a Dob is not a common thing. Often the weight of the camera makes the tube head South, so counterweights are needed too.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Check to see if the end of your focuser's draw tube is t-threaded. You never know your luck, you might get away with not having to cut the scope down.
RE. Balance. If you have a couple of old speakers hanging around the shed, salvage the magnets out of them. Get out the sewing machine and sew a couple of cotton bags for them so they don't scratch the paintwork of the OTA.

[mswhin63 (Malcolm)]

As you have a skywatcher DOB like me, the 1 1/4 inch adapter that is locked into the focuser can be unscrewed to insert the EOS adapter without the T-Ring.

This means you don't need to shorten the tube.

the T-ring is still used when using a Barlow