Newtonian Telescopes represent extremely good value for your money, you get a large aperture none of the color problems associated with refractors and often a fast focal ratio, so they are ideally suited for astrophotography.

Of recent times with the advent of high performance digital SLR cameras by companies like Canon, a number of  imagers have made this their preferred method of capturing the heavens.
The Newtonian has one particular drawback, once you have gone out and purchased your new DSLR Camera, fitted the required camera adapter, put it into the focuser only to find you cannot achieve focus. This is generally because the point of focus for your camera lies closer to the mirror than you can currently get. Imagers don’t have these problems with Refractors and Cassegrains because by removing the Diagonal then inserting the camera you have already moved the camera closer.

So what is to be done? A low profile Focuser?  I found that with the reduced length of drawtube of the focuser, normal eyepieces could not be used easily, and I was not thrilled about the quality of the focuser I tried. Baaders Multipurpose Coma Corrector, used to correct coma, gave me some extra backfocus. The combination of these two items may be sufficient for some setups and requirements.

I could not get the camera closer to the mirror, so the way I overcame the  problem of focus was  to move the mirror up the tube to achieve the same result. I will describe the process so that if you wish to pursue this method you can follow step by step. I suggest you read it completely before you attempt anything.

Determine Focus Adjustment Required

To determine the amount of  infocus required:

• Point your scope at an object a long distance away. The Moon is ideal as most suburban dwellers cannot fix on a land based object far enough away)
• Remove the focuser from the tube
• Attach your camera adapter to your camera and move it towards the secondary until you achieve focus. Well at least now you know it will focus!
• Measure the distance from the highest point of the scope tube to the flange which would normally rest on the top of the focuser (Distance A).
• Reattach the focuser, rack it right in and measure the height of the top surface to the same high point on the scope tube used previously (Distance B)
• By subtracting the first measurement from the second you can determine your required amount of extra distance of infocus needed.

In my case it was about 49 mm. As 50mm extensions for 2 inch focusers are readily available,  this was the amount I decided to cut off the tube. Both allowing for focus with the DSLR, and by inserting the adapter, normal visual viewing can be done.

Click to Enlarge Measuring the Distance Required

Check Secondary / Primary Ratio

Look down through your focuser to the secondary and you will see the reflection of your primary mirror. The process of moving your mirror further up the tube will make it appear larger in the secondary, if your secondary is oversized it will still reflect all the light. If as in the case of some scopes you don’t have any extra room you will lose a very slight amount of light. There is nothing you can do about this but it's information you should be aware of.

Click to Enlarge Looking down focuser

Remove Primary Mirror and mark cutting lines

Remove the primary mirror assembly, noting the screw alignment so reattaching is easily done. Place the mirror in a safe location away from work area.

Scribe a line the required distance up the scope tube from the bottom (50mm in my case). I used a set of vernier calipers set to the required distance and with the sharp edges scibed a neat line around the tube.

Using a square mark with texta the line of the screw holes and extend them up the tube the rquired distance. It should end up as the picture below.

Click to Enlarge Marking and Cutting

Cutting and drilling the tube

You can now purchase thin blades for 5 inch angle grinders that are about 1mm thick, these blades cut  extremely neatly if used properly. Obtain one of these and all appropriate safety equipment ( goggles, ear protection, Gloves, etc).

As the cutting process will produce plenty of sparks make sure you are working in a safe environment and cover your secondary; you can use a freezer bag then layers of tin foil over it or place a damp towel or similar about a foot up the tube to protect it.

Please note if you have lined your tube with any flammable material other than a coat of paint, reassess the viability of cutting. Remove the focuser and put in a safe location.

Having another person to help makes life much easier at this point. Place the tube on a flat surface with a wet folded towel underneath each end so it sits securely, and have your assistant (also with safety gear) hold the tube at the other end. GENTLY cut to the outside of the line, let the grinder do the cutting DON’T force it. Cut about 1/5th of the way around and while grinder is still spinning take it out of the cut. Make sure nothing has caught fire inside the tube (if you have prepared properly you will not have a problem). Rotate tube. With the grinder back at full revs place it gently into the cut and continue the process till completed.

The worst is now passed. File any sharp ends smooth. Using a metal punch set where the holes need to be drilled for the main mirror to be bolted in. Have your assistant support inside the tube with a folded T towel so they lift the tube just off the table, this way you will only punch a neat little mark and not flatten the tube.

Have your assistant rehold the tube for you and drill holes to the same size as the previous holes GENTLY. Paint any exposed metal surfaces.

Congratulations you did it! Final step is to re-assemble and collimate, and take pictures!

Article by Alchemy. Discuss this article on the IceInSpace Forum.