Advise needed for set up for astrophotography

[wendy1]

Hello,
I am totally new here and I haven't got a clue as to where to start to set up my Meade Saturn telescope, model DS 114 (d=114mm, f=910mm, f/8) to do astrophotography. Is there a cook book or a list of instrument required and step by step procedure on how to do this? I realize there are many different types of set up, telescope, lens and camera. I guess a set up of intermediate level would give myself some lee way in case I do take this further than a beginners level. Please advise. I can't wait to take my first deep space photo.
Thanks.

[Davros]

What sort of mount do you have Wendy?

[wendy1]

My telescope is mounted on a tall tripod. I can't seem to be able to paste a photo of it here.

[Scorpius51]

When you enter your post in the text box, scroll down below to where the "Manage Attachments" button is. You will need to reduce your image file size to ~ 200k.

[Geoff45]

http://www.amazon.com/The-New-CCD-Astronomy-Backyard/dp/0971123705
Dated, but still the best all round astrophotography book ever written.

[Screwdriverone]

Hi Wendy,

:welcome: to IceInSpace!!!! :)

Is the picture below the one you have?

If so, then the user manual here http://www.meade.com/manuals/TelescopeManuals/Reflectors/Meade114EQ-DSmanual.pdf describes a specific adaptor for 0.965" focusers to enable you to attach it to a DSLR or 35mm film camera using a T adaptor. A T adaptor is a ring that clicks into the DSLR where the lens would be and then provides a screw thread that allows you to connect it to the telescope with the adaptor described. This then slides into the focuser like an eyepiece would.

SPECIFICATIONS
Primary (main) mirror focal length: . . . . . .1000mm
Primary mirror diameter: . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4.5" (114mm)
Focal ratio: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .f/8
Mounting: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .German equatorial
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
See your Meade 114 EQ-DS dealer for further details on any of these accessories.
Additional Eyepieces (.965"): Meade recommends the following eyepieces for enhanced
astronomical and/or terrestrial viewing:
• MA 9mm (.965"): Provides high quality, higher power, close-up observation of the Moon and planets
(100x).
• MA 40mm (.965"): Offers the most dramatic, wide field of view for observing deep-space objects. This
is also the eyepiece most recommended for viewing of objects on land (23x).
Basic Camera Adapter (.965” O.D.): Permits direct attachment of 35mm SLR cameras to the
telescope. (Requires T-Mount for your specific brand of camera). Suitable for lunar disk and land
photography

Hope this helps.

Cheers

Chris

[wendy1]

Hi John, I tried to upload but it failed. I am not sure where to check the image file size. That could be the problem.

[wendy1]

Thanks Geoff, i will definitely buy this book.

[wendy1]

Thanks chris for your detailed reply. My telescope is older than that. I still cant upload the photo of the telescope here. I do have some lens but their magnifications are very small and would be useless. It all sound so technical. I have so much to learn. Where would you purchase the lens and camera adaptor you mentioned?

[Screwdriverone]

Hi Wendy, don't worry about the lenses I posted, they were just part of the manual that I copied.

As for the adapter, try ringing bintel or astro optical which are both Meade dealers in Sydney and see if they can still order one of those adaptors in.

Tell them what scope you have and what camera you want to connect to it and they should know what you need

Cheers

Chris

[wendy1]

132947
This is my old Meade.

[Screwdriverone]

Hi Wendy,

Seems the easiest (and cheapest) way to get any photos through the scope as it is, is to buy an afocal adaptor which mounts your camera or digital camera and clamps it to an eyepiece to "look" at the view coming out of the scope.

Anything else would be too rare, complicated or expensive, which in turn, may mean you waste a lot of money looking for equipment to make it happen and then find your scope isnt up to the task.

You can buy iphone mounts for this purpose if you want to start there : http://www.bintel.com.au/Astrophotography/Camera-Adapters---T-Rings/Orion-Steady-Pix-for-iPhone/1334/productview.aspx

The afocal adaptor I mean is here also http://www.bintel.com.au/Astrophotography/Camera-Adapters---T-Rings/Orion-SteadyPix-Deluxe/694/productview.aspx

Give those a go and see what you get.

Cheers

Chris

[seeker372011]

The other thing you could try is to piggyback your camera on your mount and take widefield images.

You can get some nice pictures that way.

Do you already have a digital camera?