Weasner's Astrophotography Tips Page

ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY - TIPS

Last updated: 11 August 2013

This page documents astrophotography comments, tips, and photos. Contributions welcome. Be certain to see the other articles on the main Astrophotography page.

Subject:	Meade back cell adapter
Sent:	Thursday, August 8, 2013 13:33:51
From:	Chris Mcilhargey (chris_mc86@hotmail.com)
First off I'm sorry for always asking you questions all the time haha!

Also I read your blog thing about you and it's an impressive life you've
had so far :) fighter pilot... Very cool!

Ok now my questions! :)

 I just bought a Samsung scb2000 video cam thing. So I'm buying all the
 parts to make it work. I hope...

My plan is... Keep the eyepiece in as normal and have the camera in the
back slot.

I bought a meade back cell adapter #07036 but I'm pretty sure I need
something else to change that to a 1.25" slot do I not? What size does
this change it to? Is the 'SCT thread' a 2"?

 I haven't got the item yet to see for my self

I also bought a c to 1.25 adapter for the cam and a 0.5 focal reducer.
It apparently changes it to a f7.5 scope as I hear a f15 isn't good for
video.

I keep getting the feeling I'm jumping in too deep with all this. It's
all getting complicated! :)

Sorry for all the questions. It's just that there is not much details
about video astronomy and the etx.

Cheers

Chris

Sent from my iPhone

Mike here: Since you got an ETX-SCT adapter, you will still need a 1.25" adapter. If you want to use a 1.25" nose piece on the camera, you'd be better off getting a visual back for the ETX. That would allow 1.25" eyepieces or camera adapters to be used at the rear port. As to mounting the camera at the rear port, I don't normally recommend that as a first choice. You can have a severe out-of-balance condition unless you add a counterweight system. And you will find movement limited in many orientations due to interference between the camera + adapter sticking out and the ETX mount base.

And:

Ok thanks man I just read about the visual back sounds good.

Question would a counter weight system be needed when using the eyepiece
slot too? All in the cam will prob weigh about 400-500g is that too
much? The etx125 already does seem a bit front heavy anyway is it not?

Also... I was a twat the other day and left my scope out while I got
food etc and came down and it was raining! I didn't touch the lens yet
its dry but there are water drop marks all over it. Should I clean it or
just leave if as it is?

Mike here: Probably won't need a counterweight while using the top port. I'd recommend cleaning the water spots off, especially if there is pollen on the lens. See the article "Cleaning Optics" on the Helpful Information: Buyer/New User Tips page.

End of today's update

Subject:	Narrowband Filter
Sent:	Saturday, July 13, 2013 14:51:14
From:	Micki Goodman (goodmanf@q.com)
Just as in your area, we are inundated, nightly, with cloud cover. I am
anxious to use my new Sony NEX 6 camera and accessories, but "Murphy: is
having way too much fun at my viewing expense lately (in the good old
summertime).

I need your opinion on filters for my ETX 90 EC. Do you often use
filters on your scopes?

If recommended,what would you suggest as a first filter for me to do two
things?:

1. Reduce some light pollution 2. Enhance planetary and deep space
photography

I know that if filters were available, to cover the front of the scope,
the price would be prohibitive(although very convenient-no swapping).

So I guess I will be (as most hobbyists) swapping the filter between
eyepieces.

And one more question-how should I arrange for filtering in prime focus
mode? My adapter does not have filter threads.

I did manage, a month ago, to get rough, preliminary photos/movies of
Saturn, with the Sony and the improved noise looks promising. I will
send some photos when I get a few worth sharing.

I did find a link to a company that specializes in modding cameras for
many types of filtering.

Here is the link, to their FAG page: 
http://www.lifepixel.com/infrared-faq

The premium IR setup, for my Sony would cost $325, but the camera is
still in warranty and I don't want to void it. Maybe after it is out of
warranty I will reinvestigate the possibility. Is this something you
would recommend?

Here's to clear night skies and productive sessions.

Yours always-Fred

Mike here: I rarely use filters when imaging with my iPhone or DSLR. Sometimes, a Moon Filter comes in handy. I occasionally filters when viewing objects (moon, planets, DSOs). One of the issues with some filters when used with the ETX-90 will be the lack of light reaching the camera (or eye) due to the small aperture. There are some filters discussed on the Accessory Reviews: Filters page on my ETX Site. By the way, the OPT Camera Adapter has threads for a 1.25" filter, with or without an eyepiece. I reviewed the OPT Camera Adapter on the Accessory Reviews: Astrophotography page. The Meade Basic Camera Adapter (see the Accessory Reviews: Astrophotography page) also has threads for a 1.25" filter.

And:

Thank you as always for a speedy reply. I did read that the ETX 90 has
too small an aperture to compensate for filter loss, but I value your
opinion, so I thought I would ask.
I just came in from a brief (clouds came in) test of the new camera. I
got a couple of decent prime focus moon images and set up for eyepiece
projection. Unfortunately the clouds were rolling in quicker than I
could refocus, and the one EP image was not as well focussed as the
prime focus images. I will try again in a couple of nights and send you
some of the better results.
I do hope your skies will be clearer tan here in Colorado Springs.

Mike here: I've been suffering from our pretty active monsoon season. But we need the rain.

And:

We also seem to get rain almost daily now. We could have used it prior
to the extreme fires here, but it will help minimize the danger.
I had a Tucson friend (now passed on) who told me the typical Arizona
monsoon season was in April. I suppose, the weather patterns have
changed in many parts of our country and the rest of the world as well.
Any more changes and we may give Australia a challenge for  flip-flopped
seasons. Stay well and focussed.

Mike here: Monsoon season here "officially" runs from 15 June to 30 September, but the storms are usually heaviest in July and August.

End of 17 July update

Subject:	Re: Problem with ETX-70 prime-focus photography above 37 degrees altitude
Sent:	Tuesday, June 11, 2013 12:32:38
From:	Roy Keeris (roy@brightsky.nl)
Thanks for your quick reply!
I do have that camera adapter and I tried to use it. However I could not
focus: the center of focus lies very close to the eye piece port of the
ETX-70 and my camera cannot reach that position. In other words: the eye
piece port of the telescope is too long. Is there another way? Is a
tripod with a tilting base maybe a solution? Or another optic?

I hope you can help me with this. Thanks again!

Best regards,
Roy

Mike here: Not all cameras will reach a focus with the ETX, depending on the adapter used. Using the rear port can sometimes avoid that particular problem, while adding others (as previously mentioned). Depending on where the telescope is pointed, you can eliminate the base interference problem by mounting in Alt/Az or Polar.

Subject:	Thx again
Sent:	Sunday, June 9, 2013 06:23:14
From:	stan andersen (hertha1999@gmail.com)
Thx for the review of the opt camera adapter. I just received it and you
were spot on . Appreciate the advice. stan

End of 12 June update

Subject:	Problem with ETX-70 prime-focus photography above 37 degrees altitude
Sent:	Saturday, June 8, 2013 02:39:48
From:	Roy Keeris (roy@brightsky.nl)
First of all: my complements for your work and devotion to astronomy!

I have a Meade ETX-70 and use a Canon EOS 400D with an adapter at the
rear port of the telescope to do prime-focus photography of comets and
deep sky. I stack photos with software, so I don't need very long
exposures, mostly 1 - 2 minutes.

Taking pictures of objects with a low altitude works fine. However the
camera inhibits aiming at objects with an altitude higher than about 37
degrees, simply because the camera clashes with the base of the
telescope. Are there solutions to this problem? I read that the #884
Tripod can lift the base to a higher angle, but that it might not be
suitable for the ETX-70.

If there are no solutions for the EXT-70, what (not too expensive) kind
of equipment could you recommend for my purpose?

Thanks!

Best regards,
Roy

Mike here: Mounting a camera at the rear port of the ETX creates two significant problems: balance and, as you have discovered, interference from the ETX base. If you mount at prime focus using the eyepiece port you avoid these problems. I use the OPT Camera Adapter (see the Accessory Reviews: Astrophotography page).

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