Nikkor/SBIG - now we're talkin'

[Omaroo]

I just received an SBIG SLA-7 T-thread to Nikon F-mount adapter from Zane at Magellan - thanks Zane for sending it up :) I can now mount the ST-8i to any one of 13 Nikkor Ai prime lenses that I have - for a multitude of widefield work, and can take advantage of the many 52mm and 72mm filters I have too.

I have the ST-8i mounted with a Nikkor 300ED f4.5 on a Losmandy D-Series plate alongside my spare 80mm refractor which will act as a PHD guidescope with the QHY5. I also have room for the 350D and a Nikkor lens of its own - may as well while guiding.

Can't wait for this evening - I'll give it a spin if the cloud stays away. :thumbsup:

[Gama]

Yep, good way of imaging.
I have sold a heap of "T" to Nikon lens conveters. Seems people are moving down to lens's when doing wide field work.
Images a tak sharp and flat to the edge. Added benifit is that you can get some really nice glass cheap. Saving a heap over similar telescope glass.
Look forward to some images Chris.

Theo

[gbeal]

Dang, could have lent you one of them. Micro looks focused a bit close though mate, LOL.
Like Theo, I too am looking forward to what you produce. Get that 1.25" Ha filter I suggested? Hope so, slip it into the front of the optical window in the SBIG,
Gary

[Dennis]

Looks a terrific rig Chris. Pity there isn’t at least one Tak ‘scope in sight! LOL!

Cheers

Dennis

[Omaroo]

Thanks Theo - I bet the adapters are flying out the door. Using a camera lans for widefield is just so much easier than setting up a big scope for the evening.

Thanks too Gary & Dennis. Gary - haven't bought the Ha filter yet. Still waiting for the right moment! Dennis - the beauty of this setup is that I can leave it "homogenous" - and not have to break my main system up to supply this one and vice versa. I'd love to have abother Tak on here - A Sky90 would be nice... but dollars don't grow on trees around my neighbourhood I'm sad to report.... :(

[Bassnut]

mmm, 1 pixel square stars perhaps?

[Omaroo]

We'll see soon Fred. I like my stars small anyhow.... :P

I guess that SBIG wouldn't have produced the adapter if it weren't useful... one would hope! :lol: I'l interested in large fields such as Barnard's Loop, the entire Alnitak/B33 region, etc. That's the plan anyhow... :whistle:

[AlexN]

Your resolution may be the only thing to let you down Chris.. Arcsec per pixel will probably be a bit high for really wide field work... however, still worth a go! I look forward to results, and hope that my theory will be disproved..

[Omaroo]

Well, it's looking pretty good! Another while and I'll have an example for you. Stars are actually well-sized, and there is a huge variance twixt the smallest and largest. Nicely rounded, they are actually not bad. Maybe a little too much blooming, but that might also be due to me opening the iris up too far. I think that it'll take time to get to know what f-stop is appropriate for a particular result.

Alex - sorry I haven't replied to your PM yet - been a tad busy. Your foray into the ST-9E's capabilities seem to be paying dividends. :thumbsup:

[AlexN]

Cheers mate, not to worry, been rather busy myself at the moment and had forgotten sending the PM :D I hope your foray into super-widefield CCD imaging pays off as well! :)

Alex.