Camera mount on Dob

[Clarry (Clayton)]

I've read Mike Salway's thread on astrophotography with a Dob. Great read & it's inspired me. While searching for camera adapters I came across this cheap one. I'm thinking quality is not a problem with this item as it will not be performing any imagery or precision duties. However I'm wondering how I would mount it on a dob. I notice in Mike's photos he has the mount on a tripod beside the telescope, is this the only way to go or is there another way?

[bobson (Bob)]

I saw very simple way on the net with pics and instructions how to make it:

http://www.larrydsmith.com/astro/digital_mount.html

[rastis95 (Scott)]

Hi Clayton,
To take photos through your dob is quite easy, i used an orion steady pix camera adapter from bintel around $60, near identical to the cheaper one you have found on ebay. To use them the actual clamp end goes over any 1.25" eyepeice you have inserted in your dob, tighten up and attatch your camera via the small threaded screw on the long plate. Just line everything up and away you go. I managed to get some good pics of the moon and a couple of jupiter but your limited to only bright objects. Anything else you will need tracking (this is my delema at the moment). Goodluck with it all any questions just ask.

Cheers
Scott

[Clarry (Clayton)]

Thanks Bob & Scott, so from what I'm seeing there, the camera & its mount is held in place only by the attachment to the eyepiece. There's no additional support like a tripod. I assumed the camera & mount would be too heavy for the coupling to support it alone. Plus, would the extra weight make it hard to keep the scope from pivoting forward on its cradle?

[rastis95 (Scott)]

Once the mount and camera are attached Ive never had any trouble with the eyepiece moving or the mount slipping, with the extra weight the tension springs should provide enough friction to hold it in place. At 45 deg i have no trouble, at 90 deg it gets a little light but no stars at that angle .

Cheers
Scott

[rmcpb (Rob)]

If it over balances you could use a speaker magnet with a felt covering to slide up and down the tube to achieve balance.

Seems to ba a day for balancing issues

[rastis95 (Scott)]

Thats a good one rob, never herd of that one, i know some people have used velcro weights to hang off the end, i like your version.

[Clarry (Clayton)]

Good ideas there if needed. I also considered using my camera tripod under the front of the scope and just winding it up to the necessary height to prevent it from tipping. Hopefully it won't be needed.