Bintel + piggyback mount question

[Octane]

Hi all,

I thought I'd say a kind word about Bintel.

I recently purchased a Meade LX90 LNT 8" from Bintel, and the first time I put it in my car to go observing, the SmartFinder hit something in my boot and snapped off.

Yesterday, I went to Bintel to purchase a piggyback camera adapter and at the same time mentioned what happened with the SmartFinder, to Don. He kindly replaced my SmartFinder with a brand new one. Not only that, but he also threw in a Bintel neutral density filter 96 to observe the Moon with as well.

I've had nothing but the best service, advice and help from the staff at Bintel.

Thanks to everyone at Bintel -- I'll be a returning customer.

As for my question; is the following situation normal?:

My camera and 300mm lens (fully retracted) are piggybacked securely on the telescope and I'm viewing M42 in the eyepiece. Is it normal to have to slew the telescope down a little bit in order for M42 to appear in the camera's viewfinder, or am I going to have to bend the piggyback mount down a little bit so that both the scope and camera are aligned, and gazing at the same point?

Regards,
Humayun

[[1ponders]]

It is a bit of a common problem Humayun. Yes it is in the bracket, and no I wouldn't try to bend it as it is only cast and may snap while trying to bend it. You could try and pack the back side of the mount base (try this before trying to bend the mount) or you can do what I did and bought on of these http://db.manfrotto.com/product/templates/templates.php3?sectionid=8&itemid=1950 . They are about $100 from camerahouse (I'm sure you could get them cheaper) but well worth it for how much easier it makes aligning optial/imaging elements

[33South]

I had the same problem. Also as I prefer the bracket at the rear of the tube this adds two new problems - aggravation trying to get the screw into the base of the camera and with a wide angle where you get the end of the tube in the fov.

So I got one of these, from your favourite shop ;) for A$55 and leave it attached to the bracket. Its great with the shorter lenses I use but I reckon it would handle the 300mm (dont quote me)

http://orion.telescopes.com/products/Orion_Precision_Slow-Motion_Adapter_37062.html

[RB]

One of these from your favourite shop, works a treat.
Well worth it.

[[1ponders]]

I had something similar Chris (?) when I first started out and it was great to use. Then a friend lent me a manfrotto to use. I bought one that weekend. I loved the quick action single lever operation that allowed me to swivel the base and at the same time move the ball socket forward/back, left/right and rotate it CW/ACW. Plus it will carry up to 4KG, though I don't know how I'd feel about hanging 4KG off the front end of an LX90.

Yep it is more expensive, but for me it was well worth the extra money.

[acropolite]

Huayun wrote Nice gesture by Bintel, my smartfinder lens lasted 8 months before I broke it; I have been quoted $29 for a new one. Oddly enough, although I thought it was of little use, I immediately missed it when trying to align. I merely brushed it with one finger while packing up. They should be free, or of minimal cost, simply because they are of poor design and prone to breakage (We're not allowed to use the cr** word). If you eventually get a dovetail system it's worth noting that ADM have a ball type adapter ($55US for the adapter) for their dovetail system. http://www.astro.premcom.com/ADM/ADM%20Products/Mini%20Dovetail%20System.htm

[beren]

Ive got the losmandy system riding my LX , components include the dovetail plate , a pair of dr125 blocks/rings for a guide scope and a camera holder that tilts {you can get one that pans as well} and can slide up and down the dovetail plate to suit {the dr125 rings can also be split to the block and a ball socket or any other camera adaptor can be be hooked up with the screw that comes with the block}. Very sturdy but heavy :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v149/beren/camera1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v149/beren/camera2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v149/beren/camera-4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v149/beren/DSC_0008.jpg

[ballaratdragons]

From all the above information am I to believe that if I piggy-back another scope onto my 12" that they will track at differing speeds?

I am about to mount a scope on my 12" that's why I ask.

[[1ponders]]

No Ken they will track at the same rate.

[ballaratdragons]

Thanks Paul! I will go ahead and mount it then. My finderscope is useless when I am trying to image as I can't quite centre objects with it so I am mounting a low power scope so at least I can see the object and place it in the centre of FOV. I will attempt to put some illuminated crosshairs on it too.

The posts above made me think that the image in the piggy back scope would slowly drift differently to the imaging scope.

[[1ponders]]

No, sometimes though it can be difficult to get the camera to line up with the axis of the ota because the piggyback bracket is out of square with the tube (doesn't run parallel with the long axis)

[Octane]

Hi beren,

That setup looks awesome.

How much did that cost you? The gears support all that weight without a problem?

Regards,
Humayun