Hooking up my camera to the scope

[Kaibis]

Hi,

My husband brought me a T-Ring for xmas, so I could hook up my camera to the telescope.

I am neither a good photographer, nor want to be an astrophotographer. However I would like to be able to take a quick photo of what I am seeing to use to help jog my memory about what I have seen, or to help me study star charts (and stellarium) later on to work out what I saw, where I was etc.

Now, I am pretty sure that I don't have the right equipment yet to hook up the camera to the telescope, but I am not exactly sure what I need.

I think I need a t-adaptor, but don't understand what it looks like or what online store to buy it from. (He brought the t-ring from Aus. Geo, and I have a 10% discount card to use with them, but would I find it cheaper elsewhere?)

[jenchris]

The nose peice from a barlow often has the right thread to engage the T ring at the back - just unscrew the lens from the barlow.
Some 2" nose pieces have the right thread on the back - mine do.
Oh and by the way, if you hook up the adapter and actually use it, you're done for - no one ever can resist the urge to try a bit longer or a shot of the moon or a video of this or that planet. that way lies insanity and poverty

[Kaibis]

Thanks, I don't have a barlow yet. I am about to buy one though.

http://www.ozscopes.com.au/celestron-1-25-universal-barlow-lens-and-t-adapter.html

or
http://www.ozscopes.com.au/celestron-t-adapter-universal-1-25-in.html

or

http://www.ozscopes.com.au/skywatcher-2x-1-25-achromatic-barlow-lens-with-camera-adapter.html


I am a bit confused about the differences.

[glend]

Cassie, to hook up your Canon DSLR to the scope you will need some way to adapt the Canon bayonet mount to the scope. When you say a T-Ring I assume you mean something like this:

http://www.bintel.com.au/Astrophotography/Camera-Adapters---T-Rings/Bintel-Camera-Adapter-2-/35/productview.aspx

which will allow your camera to slip into the focuser tube. However to attach it to your Canon you need this as well:

http://www.bintel.com.au/Astrophotography/Camera-Adapters---T-Rings/Canon-EOS-T-Ring/36/productview.aspx

together these are all you need.

For bright objects like the Moon you can use the Auto setting on the camera. However, for faint objects you will need to shot long exposures to gain enough light to make out the object, and that means using the Manual or Bulb setting on the camera to control the length of the exposure. A cable release or intervameter is also useful for making sure you don't bump the camera during the start or finish of the exposure which can blur the image.

Good luck.

[Allan_L]

Hi Cassie,
Since you have a Skywatcher DOB you may be in luck.
Although mine is an older model, they may still work the same.

Remove your 1.25" eyepiece holder from the focus tube.
(see photo 1)
Unscrew the eyepiece holder part from the base.
(see photo 2)
Screw the T Ring into the base.
(see photo 3)

This assembly should now be ready to connect to the DSLR and slot straight into the focus tube.

[Kaibis]

Thank you for the responses. I will give that set up a go tonight.