Meade SCT won't focus with f6.3 focal reducer

[Lester]

Hi everyone,

I cannot get focus :doh: when using f6.3 focal reducer/field flattener with my Meade 14" SCT LX200GPS.

The focal reducer/flattener goes on first then off axis guider and then the Canon 20Da. But the camera needs to go in closer to the telescope to focus. The way I have the accessories fitted to the telescope is the same as Meade have them pictured on their sight.

Any help will be much appreciated.:help:

If no luck here I will be contacting Astro-Optical Supplies in Sydney, where I got all my Meade equipment.

Thanks again.:thumbsup:

[[1ponders]]

Hi Lester have a look at these two links. I had a similar problem and ended up going this way.

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=13386&d=1150093255
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=13388&d=1150093255

From what I can remember, the distance from the reducer lens element to the imaging plane (chip surface) should be around 105mm.

[Lester]

Thanks Paul,

Where the T mount adaptor is= where I put the off axis guider, and that is about the same length, but I will check.

[Lester]

I just phoned Astro-Optical supplies and they are going to email Meade and get back to me.

[[1ponders]]

In that case it should reach focus. I have an OAG (meade) and from memory I used it as you have with my 300D and had no porblems.

???? Don't know what's going on there?????

[Dennis]

Another data point. I have Celestron C9.25 with the Celestron f6.3 Reducer/Corrector and with the configuration that Paul described and I can also reach focus with no problems.

Definitely a puzzle here somewhere Lester?

Cheers

Dennis

[Lester]

Thanks for your replies Paul and Dennis,

I have just heard back from Astro-Optical Supplies, who have heard from Meade, and they are aware of the problem. There is now a adapter available to fit the f6.3 reducer/field flattener after the off axis guider. Perhaps this is only a problem with the SCT 14", but its been available for a while now. I wouldn't have thought I was the only one with this type of scope in Australia trying to do this.

Any way Astro-Optical will inform me when the adapter turns up.