C11 on a Losmandy G11

[icytailmark]

Hi guys, Im thinking about getting the following setup and im just wondering will i run into any problems with compatiblity etc.

C11 on a Losmandy G11 mount.
Orion Awesome Autoguider Package.
DMK21 mono camera for planetary.
Canon 1000D EOS for DSOs.

any input or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

[pmrid]

A Losmandy G-11 has a rated instrument capacity of 60 Lbs. The weight of an average C11 OTA is 27-28 Lbs. The other pieces you mention would not weight more than another 3 or 4 Lbs all up so you would be well within the rated limits of the mount.

I'm not familiar with the "Orion Awesome Autoguider Package" but assume that it probably includes an off-axis guider and probably a guide camera to go with it. That means you'd be guiding at the focal length of the imaging scope (about 2800 mm or if you use a .63 reducer, about 1600mm). Those are difficult lengths for guiding purposes and for someone who is getting their head around astro-imaging, may be somewhat challenging. Many people prefer to use a guiding scope of relatively short focal length - 500-600 mm and attach their guide camera to that. Combined with PHD for guiding control, that is a good option and may be a better one for you to start with. Of course a guide scope and the various bits and pieces needed to attach it to the main scope add weight to the system but you do have plenty of margin to play with.

If you decide to go ahead with using the off-axis guider, you will also need to be sure that you can attach your 1000D Camera to it This can be difficult with the Canon EOS camera because the flash unit on top of the camera tends to protrude a bit and can get stuck on the back of the guide camera part of the OAG. So you may need not just a T-Ring to attach the scope but also a short extender to hold the Canon back a little from the back of the OAG.
That will also mean that you may need to lift the guide camera a bit too. That problem doesn't occur with a separate guide scope.

You'll probably want to connect the Canon camera to a laptop by its USB cable. And the Guide camera wilol also need to be connected that way, but most laptops are a bit light on USB ports these days so you may find yourself short after you plug a mouse into it as well. So you may want to consider a small POWERED 4-Point USB hub and a long USB cable back to the computer.

Come winter, you'll probably want to consider condensation issues - it forms on the scope's corrector plate and quickly stuff your images. A good solution is the combined dew-shield and dew heater combo such as AstroZap sell. And they require a 12 VDC power supply as well.


Don't let any of this discourage you. The basic kit you describe is very good stuff and not at all to be sneezed at. I would just hesitate a bit over the choice of the "guider package - that's if my assumptions about it are correct.

PETER

[icytailmark]

thanks very much peter. The Orion Awesome Autoguider Package comes with a guide camera and i plan on using the c11 as my main scope. Would the Canon EOS fit in the C11? Will i need to buy a flip mirror?

[wasyoungonce]

Many Many moons ago...the G11 was original made by HGM for Celestron to carry the C11's, called the CG-11 (http://www.company7.com/celestron/products/sch12.html).

[[1ponders]]

What he said :thumbsup: ;)

[pmrid]

The 1000D (indeed all Canon EOS cameras as well as many more - Nikon etc) attach easily and well to any telescope by means of a T-Ring that fits into the camera body in place of the usual lens. The T-Ring is just that - a ring. To then connect that to the scope you will need a nosepiece. There are many good ones and some have an integrated T-Ring as well. These slot into the 2" end of the scope. If you are using a C-11 it will probably have come with an adapter that screws onto the back of the scope. Have a look at it. It may have a threaded end that could screw directly into a T-Ring. Or it may have some other end arrangement that may require some sort of adapter to fit it. I fitted a high quality focuser to my C14 so I had more control over fine focus. That's also an option you can consider - perhaps a bit later on.

Peter