I have a Skywatcher ED80 and a Canon DSLR. At the moment I mount
the camera like this:
Camera
T ring
T to 2 inch adapter
2 inch 35mm long extension
Focuser
Alignment with this set up is pretty crap. Without the 2 inch extension
it's even worse.
Is there an aftermarket alternative to this set up? Is there an adapter
that screws on rather than using grub screws etc? Is there an aftermarket
focuser that makes all this neater and more secure?
I do use this set up for terrestrial shots, so long focus travel or extension
is necessary.
if you get the Orion flattener for the ED80 - available at Bintel, it screws onto the drawtube, and then into your t-ring. Its a very secure mounting, and you get a nice flat field too. You will however need to buy a wide t-ring as it is not the standard one - helps to stop vignetting
I don't have to use an extension tube unless I add my Big Barlow into the imaging train. I have recently started wrapping plumbers tape around the barrel of the barlow to lessen the amount of flexure between it and the ext. tube.
I don't have to use an extension tube unless I add my Big Barlow into the imaging train. I have recently started wrapping plumbers tape around the barrel of the barlow to lessen the amount of flexure between it and the ext. tube.
Just on the subject of those Hotech 2" adapters, I had a really negative experience with mine recently. It totally locked up. There was no way I could loosen it to remove it from the drawtube. In the end, I had to wreck the thing to get it out. While I would have sworn by it before that experience, I certainly can't do that now. It was an expensive lesson.
Just on the subject of those Hotech 2" adapters, I had a really negative experience with mine recently. It totally locked up. There was no way I could loosen it to remove it from the drawtube. In the end, I had to wreck the thing to get it out. While I would have sworn by it before that experience, I certainly can't do that now. It was an expensive lesson.
Peter
It would be good to get some more feedback on the product wouldn't it.
One for and One against so far.
All sounds rather complicated and expensive these ideas and suggestions.
I have a basic ring connector I purchased for $35 and it screws into the flip mirror that came with my Vixen ED 103,the EOS bodies simply screw on or off.Never had an issue with focus.I have a texture mark on draw tube were focus is and set it to that,to start Bartnov mask focus.
Here is a few images of what I have,The other suggestions sound rather complex and expensive,and from what I can see of them,more room for issues.
If I want to rotate the camera I simply loosen the two grub screws that hold the mirror flip box and rotate to frame as wanted.Very simple,I see no need to over complex things.
Here is a image as well,I was doing basic test of some new gear,it started to work,so I framed up M8,I did not even check focus,just line up texture mark.and 4 minutes later had this capture.
Many Thanks for your suggestions everyone, and thanks for taking time to snap some shots Chris.
I would love it if everything was threaded, that would make things much better. Unfortunately it's the tube-inside-a-tube fixed with two thumb screws which is unsatisfactory. This is likely due to the cheapness of the original Skywatcher focuser on my scope. It doesn't even have a compression ring, so the camera adapter is ALWAYS crooked in the focuser.
I've susses out the JMI site, and it appears even their T-adapters are two thumbscrew as well. Oh well, if I can't find something off the shelf I'll have to get a workshop to make one for me.
