photographing through a telescope

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

07/19/2005 09:22:16 PM · #1

i've got a problem. i have successfully photographed the moon by connecting my digital rebel directly to an orion refractor telescope. however, when i use the camera adapter and place an eyepiece between the scope and my camera, i cannot get clear focus. the center of the image can focus but not the whole image. i've posted 2 moon shots from last night so that you can see the results. has anyone encountered this problem before or have an answer? i do hope someone can help. thanks a ton.
1st moon shot
2nd moon shot

Message edited by author 2005-07-19 21:25:02.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

07/19/2005 09:26:24 PM · #2

What settings are you using?

strangeghost

Canon EOS-7D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

07/19/2005 09:34:18 PM · #3

The method you're trying is called eyepiece projection and there are lots of variables that could affect the quality of your shot. What lens are you using on the camera? What eyepiece on the telescope? What adapter are you using and how close does the adapter get the glass of the eyepiece to the glass of your camera lens?

The lack of focus away from center makes me think that your adapter is not getting your lens close enough to the eyepiece. Try different combinations - low power (long focal length) eyepiece with a longer lens (higher power). The opposite, etc. Somewhere there is a sweet spot that will get you optimal performance. I don't think you've found it yet.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

07/19/2005 09:42:19 PM · #4

hey, thanks for the responses. my settings are iso 100 and 1/10 exposure time. no lens on the camera...only eypiece and scope. the adapter holds the eyepiece and can get the glass of the eyepiece almost inside of the camera body. this distance is adjustable but i've found the same problem no matter the distance of the eyepiece from the camera. i don't know of a way to connect my camera to the scope when the camera itself already has a lens on it. is this common?

strangeghost

Canon EOS-7D

07/19/2005 09:48:42 PM · #5

Now I'm confused. In your initial message you said "however, when i use the camera adapter and place an eyepiece between the scope and my camera, i cannot get clear focus..."

This made me think you were using an adapter to hold your lens up against your eyepiece (called "eyepiece projection" to amateur astronomers).

You can either attach your camera body directly to your scope (no lens or eyepiece) which is called "prime focus" or do the eyepiece projection thing. I don't think you will be successful if you use an eyepiece and your camera body.

Go to Scopetronix's website, scroll down the left frame to "digital camera adapters" and do some reading. Not only will you learn more about the methods I've discussed, but you'll see some great deals on the hardware to make it happen.

Post some pictures or diagrams of the setup you've used. I'm intrigued.

Message edited by author 2005-07-19 21:49:09.

jab119

07/19/2005 09:50:43 PM · #6

you need to get a T-Ring (or T-mount)to connect the camera to the scope.

there are about $19, this will allow you to do prime focus astrophotography, basically turning your scope into the lens for the camera.

here is my sert up on a few different scopes/cameras

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Message edited by author 2006-09-30 00:42:50.

jab119

07/19/2005 09:53:27 PM · #7

Matthwe, which Orion refractor do you have? Size, model? Does it have drive motors to track the objects?

James

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

07/19/2005 10:00:02 PM · #8

Yeah, maybe my problem is that i'm just using my camera body and an eyepiece. I've go a t-ring which attaches my camera to a camera adapter (this holds the eyepiece) and then to the scope itself. The scope is an Orion 80ED APO refractor (600mm focal length). I'm asking questions because I don't know the answers. So, is it that I cannot photograph through an eyepiece without having my camera lens attached to the camera body? Again, I've successfully taken pictures through the scope without eyepieces but am only having when I'm using an eypiece for more magnification. Thanks.

Judith Polakoff

Nikon D7000

07/19/2005 10:23:14 PM · #9

Originally posted by arlanbart:

I use the same setup, the Orion telescope, also a 600mm focal length refractor. I use the T-ring and adapter, put the eyepiece (60x magnification) inside the adapter, and attach the camera body with no camera lens. I also had a problem initially with focus, but then someone told me to push the eyepiece away from the camera (toward the refractor) inside the adapter, and this solved the problem. I had to play around with how far back to move it, and it turned out it had to be placed almost as far back as it could go.

07/19/2005 10:32:37 PM · #10

Thank you so much, Judith. This very well could help. I'm just glad to hear someone has had success with the setup I'm trying. I'll keep at it. Thanks, guys, for all the help. Hopefully I'll post some success pics that you all will have helped me accomplish.

jab119

07/19/2005 10:49:12 PM · #11

Originally posted by arlanbart:

So, is it that I cannot photograph through an eyepiece without having my camera lens attached to the camera body? Again, I've successfully taken pictures through the scope without eyepieces but am only having when I'm using an eypiece for more magnification. Thanks.

yes you should be able to use an eye piece projection adapter wiht OUT using a camera lens. Make sure you have the eyepiece in the adapter squarley and Try using a less powerfull eyepiece. you get a lot of magnification with the eyepiece and if not focused good enough your images will be blurry.

The 80ED apo is a VERY fine scope, I wish I had one.

James

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

07/19/2005 10:51:14 PM · #12

Thank you, James. I'm encouraged.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

07/19/2005 10:58:35 PM · #13

I'm no expert here, but I know that the optical design of the eyepiece can determine whether eyepiece projection works this way or not. If the eyepiece can project a focussed image onto a flat card, then it should work with the camera and no additional lens. Some eyepiece designs can't do this.