Astrophoto/ED80 Gear

[leinad (Dan)]

This week I hopefully will receive a Saxon ED80, and Im wondering what I'll need to mount my 350D EOS.

Can anyone recommend what adaptors for the camera, diaganols for viewing, reducers, etc I'll require and who stocks them at good pricing?

I'll also use the scope as a guidescope piggybacked on the 8" Newt. And Im wondering also what extensions may be required. I may also need another weight to compensate.

Thanks

[iceman (Mike)]

Hi Leinad, sorry I haven't had a chance to respond to your PM yet. I'll respond here though for the benefit of others too.

For visual viewing, you'll need a diagonal and an eyepiece. If it's just for the occassional viewing it doesn't need to be an expensive diagonal. I'm pretty sure you can get them from anywhere for less than $40.

To attach your 350D, you'll need a T-Adapter and a 50mm 2" extension tube. The T-Adapter screws onto your camera like a lens, and has a threaded end which the 2" extension tube screws onto. It then goes into the focuser of the ED80.
Without the extension tube, you won't be able to get it to focus. You can get a WO 0.8x reducer, which reduces your focal length from 600mm to 480mm (f/7.5 to f/6), and also means you don't need the extension tube.

I got my extension tube and T-Adapter from Bintel. The WO 0.8x reducer I got from OPT I think.

To use the 350D on your 8" newt, you may have problems coming to focus. The 8" being f/6 might be different (?) not sure, but with the 10" and 12" f/5, there's not enough in-focus and so you'd need to move the mirror up the tube (or get a very low profile focuser) in order to get a DSLR to focus at prime focus.

I'm still using the stock crayford focuser with the Saxon ED80. Would nice to have a better focuser (with fine focus controls, or even better, motorised) but I found using ImagesPlus for focus assist I was still able to get pretty good focus - it just took a little longer.

Don't forget all the cables and adapters such that you'll need for guiding, as well as the software etc.

It's a slippery slope my friend!

[leinad (Dan)]

Thanks Mike. Hope this question isnt off topic, but using MaxinDL or ImagesPLus for example. Does the usb cable power the camera, or is an external DC power cable required?

I also read that with a newt you could reduce the exposure time of a newt by masking. Is this true, does anyone use this method?

[RB (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by leinad

Does the usb cable power the camera, or is an external DC power cable required?

Hi Leinad,
No the USB won't power the 350D, it needs it's battery or an external DC supply.

[TrevorW]

Leinard.

A diagonal but get one that uses a prism not a mirror ($100)

Get a AC adapter for your camera IMO a must for mulitiple lenghty exposures. ($50-100)

Also a Autoguider camera I got an Orion Autoguider (as new) for $250 or I believe you can rig a Toucam to do the same thing and these can be purchased for around $150 from Telescope and Astronomy.

A switchable power board with at least 4 plugs no make that six, for the 2 laptops, camera, mount, dew heaters, spare who knows what else you'll need to plug in and a long extension cable.

2" and 3" extension tubes ($29 each new from Bintel)

An adjustable eyepiece projection adapter ($70 from My Astro Shop).

Guidescope rings can be made for about $50 if you have the skill.

Some good cases to keep everything neat and tidy $20 from Jaycar.

These are just a few of my favourite things, a collection thats still growing.

PS: if you need anything PM me I've got EP's that I don't use anymore that I can sell cheap like a 4" and 6" mm Plossl. I need to get soime money to placate my addiction.

[leinad (Dan)]

Today I called Bintel, and ordered a 2" quartz diagonal, 50mm Extension, EOS T-ring, 2" adaptor. Will also check out external power cable for the EOS. Hopefully..the weekend will clear up so I can test out the new ED80 and EOS.

I have a GPUSB as well. Can anyone recomend a good cam to use as a guide camera?
Trev. send me a PM on what eyepieces you have.

[RB (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by leinad

Can anyone recomend a good cam to use as a guide camera?

You can use a DMK21, an Orion starshoot, Meade DSI, Phillips Toucam all can be driven by PHD Guiding Software.
Check out the ad section on IIS you may find something there.

[leinad (Dan)]

Decisions, decisions. $$
DMK looks to be the one. Good sensitivity, excellent for lunar/planetary work and overall good guidecam
Not sure how the others perform in these comparisons.

[Tandum (Robin)]

I got hold of a QHY5 mono which has been working well once I sorted out the drivers. They also make a colour one.

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

I guide my ED80 with a Meade LPI ( dirt cheap and gives long exposures) through a Shoestring adaptor.
The DMK in my opinion is overkill as a guide camera; great for planetary and solar imaging!
The older DSI models are still favoured for guiding and can be found cheaply on buy&sell forums.

[leinad (Dan)]

Thx for the tips Merlin. Yes, $$ I have to consider carefully. I did see the LPI as a cheap alternative, but wasn't sure of its usefulness as a guidecam. Will check out the DSI as well. DMK would be great if I can get my hands on a cheap one.

Originally Posted by Merlin66

I guide my ED80 with a Meade LPI ( dirt cheap and gives long exposures) through a Shoestring adaptor.
The DMK in my opinion is overkill as a guide camera; great for planetary and solar imaging!
The older DSI models are still favoured for guiding and can be found cheaply on buy&sell forums.

[Tandum (Robin)]

I tried an LPI but found it wasn't sensitive enough from my light polluted site so I sold it and used a DSI 2 which was fine with a GPUSB box (add $80). The QHY5 performs as well as the DSI 2 but has a guide port which cuts down on cables and boxes running to the mount.

[leinad (Dan)]

I have the GPUSB box already, so Im trying to decide $$wise, what to get as a guidecam and use for some CCD imaging. I already have a EOS which will be used for DSO.

[Tandum (Robin)]

Gama has the QHY5 colour QGuider for $268. They have a 1/2" chip in them but I'd get a Toucam if I was doing it again and I could get a modified one at the right price.

[leinad (Dan)]

what accessories do I need to connect the 350D EOS to my laptop and control it from the laptop?

I thinkwhat I need is either a Canon Bulb cable.

I cant find many options, but it looks like the best option is DSUSB or Opt USB to 2.5mm jack , ImagesPlus with Camera control software.

Advise or other recommendations most welcome .

[TrevorW]

Leinard didn't the camera come with remote assistance software if not check out the Canon website for downloads.