Hello all
I recently bought the Altair GPCAM1 AR0130 Mono to use as a guide camera.
My question is - is it OK to run without the CS "filter" installed.
Background:
I need to reach the correct back focus when using it with the Orion thin off-axis guider (TOAG) and the Altair Astro 1.0x field flattener.
The flattener needs an optimal 56mm from rear flange to camera optical plane which I can get with the provided attachment rings - basically replacing the T-adapter ring and then installing the TOAG. This is all OK.
That gives me 49mm from the centre of the TOAG to the camera optical plane which of course I need to make the same to the focal plane of the GPCAM.
From the centre of the TOAG to the top of the TOAG "stalk" is 43mm + 0.5mm for the base plate.
This is where the fun begins ........
The smallest I can get the AR0130 is without anything screwed in, thus removing the CS ring, giving me a distance to the focal plane of 7.5mm (according to specs.) I can then "shove" this onto the TOAG base and hold with a grub screw - all seems fine. This giving me a total distance of 51mm, so 2mm (approx.) too much.
<phew>
So ...... is that OK? Can I run guide camera in this way (without any window glass?)
I have thought about placing a 1mm ring/shim between TOAG and camera - making 50mm to camera focal plane.
Any thoughts people??
Thank you as always.
Clear skies.
Matthew