All,
A work in progress.
I received a Feldstein #6 adapter to hook the STL directly to the FSQ's focuser, thereby negating the use of adapters with thumbscrews, etc. I installed it and went to focus on a star. Star got smaller and smaller as I racked the focuser out. Eventually, I ran out of backfocus by about 1.5-2.5 cm.
The sheer frustration is indescribable. This adapter is designed to be used with this camera and scope; you'd be forgiven for thinking that it was all supposed to work without any fiddling. Well, as it turns out, I'm now sourcing a CA645 adapter, or two (thanks Doug/John for your assistance). I suspect, as Rally mentioned to me in private message, that, if I was using the CFW-8, that that would provide me with enough backfocus.
Anyway, I thought, bugger it, went and installed the Extender-Q 1.6x teleconverter and thought I'd image with that. First time I've ever used it and I have to say I'm very, very happy with the results -- flat stars edge-to-edge. There is a bit of vignetting, but, nothing that a good set of flats wont fix.
Interestingly, instead of operating at f/8 (from f/5) the configuration is operating at f/7.4, which is close enough. I suspect I'd need the correct spacings (or, less spacing) to operate at f/8? Anyways, no biggie. At any rate, focusing at f/7.4 is a breeze compared to f/5 on this scope!
Here's 60 minutes worth of luminance (100% crop from centre of frame) before the clouds called an end to proceedings. Very, very minimal post-processing and no calibration yet.
http://users.tpg.com.au/octane2/ngc5128L.html
I look forward to spending copious amounts of time on this in the coming weeks/months.
Cheers for looking.
H