Attaching a DSLR to a mount

[04Stefan07]

What is the best way to attach a DSLR to a motorised mount?

Was thinking of doing it if possible to my NexStar mount.

I have the Astronomy Camp up at Snake Valley tomorrow so probably a bit late to get what I need for one night.

[renormalised]

What sort of shots do you want to take, prime focus through the scope or piggybacking?

I wouldn't recommend piggybacking off a nexstar mount because they're not the most stable of mounts, even with a heavier tripod. If you do, keep your lenses light and don't use large telephotos/zooms. You'll need an camera attachment with a 1/4-20 screw to attach your camera to the scope, either on the tube rings or a piggyback bracket.

Actually, your best bet would be to pick yourself up an iOptron sky tracker. Pop into Bintel and grab one from there :)

[04Stefan07]

Yeah just piggybacking.

I tried with a large lens and it was too heavy, might give it a go with the smaller one.

Isn't there some sort of dovetail adapter?

[renormalised]

You should be able to get a dovetail adapter for the NexStar. I wouldn't use anything larger than your stock standard 50-200mm zoom lens. A good 50 to 85mm lens would be the way to go. However, if you want really wide field views, you can go smaller. The other problem is the NexStar mount is alt-az. It can track but it won't compensate for changes in RA, so if you take subs of too long a length you'll get field rotation in your images.

[MortonH]

Something like this with one screw removed

http://www.bintel.com.au/Accessories/Dovetail-Plates---Adapters/Lunt-Dovetail--br-Bar-150mm/1039/productview.aspx

[el_draco]

I'd use a Losmandy camera mount but they are pretty heavy.

[MortonH]

http://myastroshop.com.au/products/details.asp?id=MAS-096I

[04Stefan07]

Thank you!