Connect Canon 70D to skywatcher 80ED and C8

[Davesellars]

Hi. I've just purchased a 70d and have never done any AP before so want to be sure what is required to connect this to the 80ed. I added a Baader ClickLock 2" to the 80ed so it will need a 2" nose to fit this. I noticed the Baader Protective T ring which includes the 2" nose and also the FLO 2" T mount camera adapter which would also need the T ring aswell. On Altair Astro a similar product is also available for push fit 2". Would either of these options be all that is required? I'm not quite sure about the concept of back focus. Would I be able to reach focus with the camera with just the adapter and t ring? I.e, no other extension is required.

I also have a C8 that also haas a Baader ClickLock so I'd also to connect for planetary. I assume I can use the same solution as above... Same question though for the focus and if any other extension is required...

[Leveye]

I'm not that familiar with that particular scope but one of the very first things you might need to purchase is a field flattener for astrophotography use with it. Without one you might have oval stars in the corners. Someone who owns one will chime in I'm sure. You might need an extension barrel to reach focus.

[bruno]

Leveye, gave me the same advice when i started with my AP  just buy the field flattener & it will act as your extension tube to help you achive focus, the skywatcher  one is very good for the money.  if you attach the t ring to the FF & the camera  take out the diagonal of the scope & replace it with your 2" FF & camera then wind the focuser to about 19- 20mm on your scope that should get you started .

I first bought a extension tube until leveyes advice then bought a FF  I thought the extension tube was redundant but i still need it for my barlow lens  as the ET is just a tube but FF has lenes in it hope this helps

[Davesellars]

Thanks. I'll certainly have a look at the flattener for the 80ed. I already have a Focal reducer for the C8 if necessary but I think I'd mainly use this with the video mode in f10 for planetary capture.

[Davesellars]

The skywatcher field Flattener is stated for using with a focal ratio of 5.5 to 6 though. The 80ed is 7.5 so I guess it would not be suitable / or not needed?

[Lonestar70]

Hi Dave,

The ED80 requires a special FF/FR not the normal Skywatcher standard one.

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/reducersflatteners/skywatcher-85x-reducer-flattener-for-ed80.html

You will also need the M48 T ring adaptor for it (to suit your Camera) the standard T2 one is M42 and will not fit... I would also recommend you buy the special nosepiece for it (see additional items on link) which will allow you to add a light pollution, or other, filter to the optical train.

Hope this helps.

Good luck.

Sandy.

[Davesellars]

Thanks. That's getting quite expensive though... If I just want to connect the DSLR to the scope an extension is required as well as the t ring and adapter? Or are there adapters 2" nose with this extension already? This is a bit confusing to say the least...

[davefrance]

Thanks. That's getting quite expensive though... If I just want to connect the DSLR to the scope an extension is required as well as the t ring and adapter? Or are there adapters 2" nose with this extension already? This is a bit confusing to say the least...

What has been said above would be the best for AP but as you say, starting to get costly. I have an Equinox ED80  so similar for setup. You can start with a T-Ting, Adaptor and 50mm extension tube and get reasonable results albeit with some distorted stars in the corners. When you have the funds you can replace the extension tube with a field flattener to round off the corner stars. 

[PeterCPC]

Sandy has given good advice. That's exactly what I use with my ED80 and have no focus problems.

Peter

[Davesellars]

Thanks, Davefrance. I think the cheap solution for the moment is better to get my feet wet before shelling out for expensive reducers is best.

So it would seem like this would be the solution?

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/skywatcher-2-inch-t-adapter.html

Or

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/william-optics-2-inch-prime-focus-camera-adaptor.html

Both add in an extension to the 2" nose fitting not quite sure how much but looks approx the 5cm required?

And then obviously the Canon t ring. I guess that this should work equally with the C8 as well?

[davefrance]

Thanks, Davefrance. I think the cheap solution for the moment is better to get my feet wet before shelling out for expensive reducers is best.

So it would seem like this would be the solution?

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/skywatcher-2-inch-t-adapter.html

Or

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/william-optics-2-inch-prime-focus-camera-adaptor.html

Both add in an extension to the 2" nose fitting not quite sure how much but looks approx the 5cm required?

And then obviously the Canon t ring. I guess that this should work equally with the C8 as well?

As long as they give you a 50mm extension I would think they would do the job. Have no experience of the C8 so cannot comment.

Your best bet is to send a question to FLO which you can do from their website and tell them what you are proposing to purchase and ask if they will do the job on both scopes. From experience they will reply very quickly.

[davefrance]

Your 70D camera has the same digital crop mode as my 600D so you may be interested in my posts below. Definitely worth trying on planets.

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/239493-digital-zoom-crop-mode-on-canon-600d-and-70d/

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/239434-jupiter-with-ed80-and-dslr-take-2-with-grs/