[JA]

Originally Posted by TareqPhoto

Hey again,

Thanks for your posts.

Still i didn't make my mind about anything yet, on Facebook someone recommended me to go with something like 100mm scopes because i do have Canon lenses including the best one i have 300mm f2.8L IS mk1, he said with this i have to forget about any APO refractor in 60-80mm and directly go with 100mm, and i asked in many groups there about how can i attach or place any Canon lens on my mount, and they always go with wrong answers such as how to connect lens to camera but i have connector or how to use ring holder on the lens, but my question was simple as how can i use the Canon lens alongside with guide scope whatever on the mount, they are all connected to cameras, but then i can't place them on the mount together and the answers are like going in circle or no direct answer, one or 2 gave good answer but the links are for stores i never use or can't use, so it remains like either i can't find a way to use my Canon lenses with guide scope so i must buy an APO refractor or just keep waiting the right answer with links to stores i can order from and can ship to my country.

For 100mm i was hoping to keep saving and then buy Takahashi FSQ-106 and never look back, if i managed to use my Canon lenses then i can wait for 100mm scope and so i will save for a Tak, if i buy Esprit maybe one day i will buy a Tak then i can't sell this Esprit and it will be a waste.

I am not sure about TS scopes, sounds good reviews but i don't see so so many images and results out of them to justify one, 2 or 3 nice images aren't enough, when i look around i barely can see many images from those TS scopes, so i try to avoid them and go with popular names instead [SW, Orion, ES, Celestron, WO,....etc]

I wouldn't bother with other lenses or scopes- At the 300mm focal length the Canon 300mm 2.8L would be excellent. If you need a tiny bit more focal length, say around 400mm, then get one of the Canon 1.4X teleconverters/extenders for very little image quality loss. All you need to do is to mount your guidescope (you don't say which) together with your camera (you don't say which, but presumably DSLR) on to a common mounting rail that can be held by your mount (you don't say which mount). In any event the mounting rail /plate will most likely be either of the Vixen or Losmandy style dovetail.

Use the lens tripod collar thread to screw the lens/camera combo on to the dovetail mounting plate and then do the same for your guidescope, except that you may need some guidescope rings etc, to help you mount and aim the guidescope. At a guess a 11 or 14 inch (common mounting plate lengths) mounting plate should suit your situation, although I would try to select the shortest plate to suit your gear to minimize overhang and center the mass better. That should get you started.

In the spirit of a complete answer, If you want something different, It may also be possible to mount the guidescope to the lens by dispensing with the lens tripod collar and replacing it, if you are lucky enough to get the exact size, with a rigid telescope mounting ring which also has some top screw threads for potential guidescope mounting. Also possible, and i've seen it done. but somewhat flimsy and I wouldn't recommend it, would be to mount ( a tiny) guidescope to the camera hot shoe.

Also to help extract the most out of your 300mm 2.8L lens it would be good if you have one of the newer model fullframe 5D cameras or 6D.

Best
JA