Prime Focus on an 8" Newtonian

[cybereye (Mario)]

Hello everyone!

I recently bought an Orion Short Tube 80mm refractor and was excited to see that I was able screw my DSLR T-adapter directly to the telescope. I thought this was pretty nifty and wondered if I could do that with my 8" Newtonian (F/6).

So yesterday afternoon, while everyone else in the house was otherwise occupied, I dragged out my Newtonian and checked. Sure enough, I can unscrew my 1.25" eyepiece holder and screw the DSLR T-adapter straight onto the focuser.

My question is, will this give me prime focus, something I've never been able to achieve using an adapter which fitted into the 1.25" eyepiece holder?

"Why don't you just try it out?" I hear you ask. Well, you see, I live in Brisbane and, well, I'm not that keen on taking a photo of the bottom of some clouds!


Cheers,
Mario

[iceman (Mike)]

Trying in day time is actually the best idea! Try and focus on a tree or distant mountain to make sure you can reach focus.

It's much easier doing it during the day than at night.

[dannat (Daniel)]

if you need to do it at night - use the moon - easy to find & focus on. if they have put the t-thread on your newt..chances are you should be able to come to focus