Autoguiding a 300mm lens

[killswitch]

So im thinking of taking a 300mm prime lens for astrofest. I want to use my 50mm guidescope with it for consistent subs.

What would the easiest/cheapest way of mounting the two together?

The two options i see at the moment is Side by side bar or a long dovetail bar and mount the guidescope on the underside.

Cheers

[cfranks]

I occasionally use a Pentax M* 300 mm lens + QSI683ws-8 for wide-field stuff and use a cheaper Pentax 300 mm lens + Lodestar for guiding. They are mounted on a side by side bar with a board between them holding the appropriate USB Hubs, Robofocus controller, Dew Heater controls and 12v distribution. It works well.

Charles

[killswitch]

Thanks for the input Charles. The middle of the board sounds like useful space. Can you post a photo of the set up if you have one?

I just remembered i have a spare ADM dovetail lying around. I could bolt on a 10mm thick plate and see how it goes

[cfranks]

The board (red) is just high quality plywood. I think 10 mm alu. might be overkill. The Lodestar is at the doctors and the Atik camera was being field-tested. The weather hasn't been kind for many months now but I think there might be a clear sky forecast here sometime in September!!