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  #1  
Old 24-06-2008, 04:35 PM
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vash (Ashley)
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can't focus with MPCC

Well, I'd like to say I'm the proud owner of a baadar MPCC, from what I have heard they are worth it, so I just got mine today, got home clear skies ready to set up but I thought I might try and get it focused first, but I can't.

I have the camera attached to the T-ring - the MPCC in a 2 inch adapter. Problem is that my 2 inch adapter is huge and is causing a lack of in focus, First obvious solution is a smaller adapter but that will have to wait a day or 2 before I can get one.

I tried raising the primary as high it can got but it still isn't high enough, I did how ever find exactly how high it can go , turn out it's not high enough, after a bit of fiddling I got the knob back on and told myself not to do that again.

Or a low profile focuser is another thought, but I don't really want to spend that much.
Any other solutions I have missed, that can get me out imaging tonight with the MPCC?
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  #2  
Old 24-06-2008, 04:42 PM
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monoxide
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just checking but... are you sure its not enough back focus because the MPCC moves focus 10mm to OUT, i had a low profile focuser on my 6" newt and i couldnt focus because it was too low profile
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  #3  
Old 24-06-2008, 04:55 PM
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vash (Ashley)
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I've got the focuser wound in as close as I can get it too the scope and it's still out
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  #4  
Old 24-06-2008, 05:02 PM
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I thought the MPCC worked as a 2" adapter so you wouldn't need one.

I thought the MPCC should sit inside the focuser, is this how you have it mounted?

Could you achieve focus before using the MPCC?
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Old 24-06-2008, 05:12 PM
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vash (Ashley)
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I could achieve focus fine before but I was using the thread onto a small adapter that fits right into focuser, only problem is that the thread is too small for the MPCC, the MPCC is far too small to fit directly into the focuser although I just checked and it does fit directly into the ED80, but not the main imaging scope,
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  #6  
Old 24-06-2008, 05:21 PM
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I'm with Davewaldo, I use mine as the 2" section, sometimes with a nosepiece on the front, but also without, just the MPCC and the camera. Try this.
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  #7  
Old 24-06-2008, 05:36 PM
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vash (Ashley)
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I tried using just the camera and the MPCC directly into the focuser but on the reflector, the focuser is massive compared the the MPCC, so thats out the window.
I'll just go down and get a smaller 2 inch adapter tomorrow, cause there is not other way, it's twice the size it needs to bet for what I want it for, I understand it's lager for visual use but it's not designed for a camera.
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  #8  
Old 24-06-2008, 05:47 PM
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Wow, sounds like you have a 3" or 4" focuser. Not what I expected on a 10" Skywatcher.

Good luck
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  #9  
Old 24-06-2008, 05:53 PM
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Got me beat too, any chance of a quick picture to put it all into perspective?
I assumed you had a 2" focuser, and that would allow plug and play with the MPCC.
Gary
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  #10  
Old 24-06-2008, 06:01 PM
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vash (Ashley)
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I just measured the the diameter of the focuser and it's 6cm while the 2 inch adapter measures 5cm, the MPCC fit's nicely into the adapter but not the focuser directly, I also measured the ED 80 and to no surprise in measured 5 cm too.
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  #11  
Old 24-06-2008, 06:12 PM
gbeal
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Nope, I'm still lost.
How do you use the focuser normally? You use an adaptor I presume, and this fits within the focuser, correct?
If so why not use the adaptor in the focuser, and the MPCC/T Ring/Camera in that order?
Gary
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  #12  
Old 24-06-2008, 06:24 PM
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because the adapter and MPCC have different size threads thats what I first tried as it's what I use normally,
I've added a shot to show how much space I have around it from the focuser with out the adapters.

the black area around the MPCC is air.
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  #13  
Old 24-06-2008, 06:31 PM
gbeal
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OK, so slip the 2" adaptor in (as if you are going to use it with a normal 2" eyepiece, and attach the T ring directly to the MPCC, then the camera to the T Ring.
Slip the whole shebang into the 2" focuser, and see what gives then.
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  #14  
Old 24-06-2008, 06:41 PM
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vash (Ashley)
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done that too, but my 2 inch adapter is a viewing one and doesn't come apart, which is why I'll be making a trip back to the scope shop tommorow.

here's a shot.

left to right
t-ring, MPCC, 1 1/4 adapter and 2 inch. you can see it's a little larger and is the problem, in all this.

I'll just set up and take a shot of omega glob and when I get the right adapter do it again to see the difference.

But thanks for all the help and support,

I did come so close with moving the mirror up too, I could almost get some trees in focus.
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  #15  
Old 24-06-2008, 06:58 PM
Hagar (Doug)
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Ashley,,, TREES.. Your telescope will have a totally diferent focus spot when looking at the night sky. Seeing your MPCC will fit down the focuser draw tube it may pay to fit the MPCC to your camera and while holding it, move it into the drawtube with the draw tube fully in and see if you can reach focus. If not try it the other way even if it is outside the drawtube. By focusing this way you should be able to find which way you need to go to reach focus and roughly by how much.
Just a note. If it is the 10" you are working with, you may be in a position I was in a few years back. My only way to focus the camera in the Dob was to cut 48mm off the bottom of the Dob tube and reposition the primary mirror. Balance will then be out. An added weight was needed to balance the Dob again.

Good Luck
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  #16  
Old 24-06-2008, 07:16 PM
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vash (Ashley)
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I have it set up with the 2 inch just then While it cools down and managed to find Rigil and tried to focus this is as close as it gets, move the focuser out more and it gets bigger.

Like I said, not going to worry too much, I'll get a smaller 2 inch adapter and all my problems will go away. till then I'll just aim at a smaller target.
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  #17  
Old 24-06-2008, 07:19 PM
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vash (Ashley)
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I have it set up with the 2 inch just then While it cools down and managed to find Rigil and tried to focus this is as close as it gets, move the focuser out more and it gets bigger.

Like I said, not going to worry too much, I'll get a smaller 2 inch adapter and all my problems will go away. till then I'll just aim at a smaller target. I see Jupiter is rising, might be time to break out the LPI, see how I manage with it.
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  #18  
Old 24-06-2008, 07:22 PM
gbeal
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Sorry Ash, and call me thick if you like, but I can't see the problem.
The T ring I understand, as too I understand the MPCC (I own one myself). The 1.25" has me beat, and I am assuming it and the 2" screws onto/into the draw-tube section of the focuser, is this correct?
If so, I can only assume you have tried the MPCC in the 2" section, while it is screwed onto the draw-tube. If this is so, then you likely have the chip too far from the primary, like Doug did.
One thing you could do with this is have an adaptor made that screws into the draw-tube and allows the MPCC to slip in, like a sleeve. That would get the T ring all but hard up against the end of the draw-tube. Try what Doug suggests, find the position required first and sort out how to achieve the result.
Gary
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  #19  
Old 24-06-2008, 07:24 PM
gbeal
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Hmm, you posted while I was typing, seems the camera is too far away after all. Try a shot with you holding the T ring and camera up against the draw-tube, focus it with the viewfinder of course.
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  #20  
Old 24-06-2008, 07:34 PM
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thats the same problem i get, the 2" dr adapter is too long, and i cant reach focus. I was going to get an adapter made to go from the focuser size adapter straight to t-thread, then realised i wouldn't be alle to use filters. If you can find a low profile 2" adapter, can you pm me with where you got it from..
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