mounting Reflector on camera tripod

netwolf · #1 31-03-2005, 12:25 PM

My mate has an old bushnell Reflector (120-150mm) not sure on the exact aperture. But he has only the OTA as the tripod is broken. Is there anyway to mount this on a camera tripod, i think he tried and could not do it. Is there an adapter you can buy to do this.

Or can some suggest a cheap mount for this scope.

Thanks in advance..

rmcpb (Rob) · #2 31-03-2005, 01:25 PM

Don't even think of putting a scope on a camera tripod if you want a steady image. Camera tripods are simply not made to support anything like a telescope and even if you did get the scope on one the results would be very disappointing.

As for suggestions for "proper" mounts, you could make a simple dob mount for the scope or buy a suitable GEM. I think I would have a serious play with the dob mount as its cheaper and much simpler to set up which would make the scope a great grab and go scope.

Good luck.

mch62 (Mark) · #3 31-03-2005, 04:51 PM

It will depend a lot on the aperture and focal ratio of the scope but there are all the EQmounts. If it's a 120mm+ aperature I would not use any thing smaller than an EQ5.

Mark

janoskiss (Steve H) · #4 31-03-2005, 10:28 PM

Depends on the tripod. I have two camera tripods. One of them is flimsy but fine for an SLR but there's no way you'd use it for a scope. That's the cheap Chinese Hanimex tripod. The other mount is an old (25-30 years) tripod made in what used to be West Germany. It could definitely handle a smaller refractor (say upto ~80mm). A 150mm reflector might be a bit much though.

Dob mount can be made at home and will work well. Here is mine with a 4.5" (114mm) Newtonian:

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jano...mydobmount.jpg

Motion is much nicer than on my GSO. I used an old vinyl LP and "magic" sliders on the base for smooth azimuth motion (:: magic sliders on PVC pipe for altitude) [/EDIT]