How to connect a Nikon to Skywatcher 8"

[Asela]

Hi Everyone,

This is my second thread here, still a newbie!! :)

Recently purchased a SkyWatcher 8" Newtonian with a NEQ6 Pro mount. I also purchased a 48mm T ring for my Nikon and a 48mm coma corrector not knowing what other bits and pieces I needed to get my Nikon working with the telescope.

Can anyone please guide me in the right path so that I can get them working? What else do I need to have? Is it best to use an eyepiece with the camera and how do I do it?

Thanks a bunch in advance!
Asela

[Allan_L]

Hope this helps from a recent thread on similar topic



Click on the blue > to see the other thread.

[glend]

Just check to make sure the scope you bought is actually imaging setup. Newtonians come in two types, visual and imaging capable. Skywatcher sell both types. The visual models are configured to allow eye pieces to achieve focus with the range of the focuser travel. Imaging capable models are setup to allow cameras, like DSLRs, to achieve focus. Cameras need to be closer, often not able to be cranked inward sufficiently. An imaging Newtonian can usually also be used visually, if you have a shirt extension tube to fit in the focuser, allowing the eye piece to sit a bit further out. Hope that helps.

[Startrek]

The Skywatcher 8” newtonian recommended for AP and Visual is the Black Diamond model no SW2001APOTA
These are f5 and more suited for the beginner to intermediate Astrophotographer
If you were advised by the retailer to buy the Premium Photo reflector Quattro 8” f4 newtonian model no SWP2008-OTA for more advanced Astrophotographers , then this will be more difficult for you to use and in particular to collimate

Attached is the one I would have recommended to get you started with over the next few years ( SW2001APOTA ) and these are suited for prime focus Astrophotography and with focus without the need for complicated adapters extensions etc...,
Most importantly they have a dual speed crayford focuser and later you can buy an auto focuser which fits straight on

Sorry about the photos being sideways, when I reduce size to attach , they re orientate ??

[Asela]

Hi Allan,

I had the difficulty in connecting the Coma Corrector to the T-ring but I have found out eventually. The rings of the Coma corrector can be removed which enables to connect it to the T-ring :)

[Asela]

Hi Glen & Martin,

Yes I'm definitely a beginner to all this and trying to find my way, hopefully I'll get there at some point! :)

I have purchased the Sky-Watcher 8" Newtonian AP package from Astro Pete's web site which comes with a Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro mount.

Thanks

[Startrek]

I checked out Astro Pete ( Astro Anarchy ) and the package you bought is exactly what I suggested for beginner Astrophotography
Skywatcher EQ6 mount with a Skywatcher 8” f5 newtonian reflector telescope
If you need any help with the following I have written procedures in PDF I can send you such as -

Finding true south line
Aligning your tripod
Fitting your mount head and setting altitude
Balancing your telescope
Setting home position on your mount
Collimation
Telescope control using Synscan handcontroller
Telescope control from a Laptop using EQMOD and Stellarium
And more .....
Cheers
Martin

[Asela]

Wow! That would be really great Martin. Appreciate if you could send them, I will PM you my email address.

Thanks a bunch for this help, I know you must have spent a lot of time in preparing them and I do really appreciate you sharing them :bowdown:

Cheers

[Startrek]

I prefer to post them so other beginners can use them if they wish
Just remember there are many ways to set up your mount for both visual observation and Astrophotography, mine is just one of them which has worked for me over 4 years in the hobby ( I’m 61 and retired so putting all these documents together was enjoyable as it helped me get off the ground )
Can I strongly recommend sooner than later that you down load a copy of Stellarium ( free) onto your laptop or home desktop and start to learn the night sky.Once set up it gives you a road map of the night sky every night of the week , year after year
It’s a great planetarium for both visual observing and telescope control
Here’s my a copy of my procedure how to set up Stellarium
I’ll send the other procedures later on
Cheers

[Asela]

Thanks Martin

[Startrek]

Here’s some procedures to get you started , more to follow .....
Cheers
Martin
PS: Please advise if your EQ6 mount has the additional USB2B port next to the Handcontroller port and Autoguider port ( I’m pretty sure your EQ6 is a rebadged Skywatcher NEQ6 which does not have the additional USB2B port on the mount )

[Asela]

Hi Martin,

Thanks for the valuable information.

The EQ6 Pro mount does not have an additional USB port next to Handcontroller port & Autoguider port.

Cheers

[Startrek]

Here’s my final procedure if you want to control your Skywatcher mount from a laptop nearby at some stage in the future , using EQMOD and Stellarium
Cheers
Martin
PS I have procedures for PHD2 Autoguiding but that’s a something for later on once you gain some basic experience with capturing short exposure ( up to 60 sec ) images

[Asela]

Thanks Martin,

I must admit that I now have information and instructions to work on for a few months!! Once again, appreciate sharing your hard work that you've done all this time.

Cheers
Asela