Etc-125ec

Thanks Phil - Yes it would be good to meet up - hopefully sooner rather than later. I’m in Southampton :-)

Haha thanks Philip. Some of these reducers range from £30-£300 - to avoid buying something that’s either no good or way too good for the scope do you have a recommendation for a good enough one ? The other thing I’m now thinking is if the reducer allows being able to view galaxies to some extent (Even if on long exposure photos) then getting a ccd camera eyepiece would avoid the weight of the DSLR and avoid the need for a modified camera - do you know if these ccds are any good and if so can you recommend any that won’t break the bank ... In the meantime I’ll make some enquiries Into that metal backplate !

Wow White Dwarf - thanks for sharing your modifications - that's a fabulous upgrade - it looks like a serious bit of kit - I'm thinking I may end up having to change the supplied autostar tracking mount if the DSLR is too heavy for it plus the supplied Autostar handbox feels a bit temperamental (after switching it on, I get a warning indication in the top display row and lots of random text running along the bottom row of the display. After holding the mode button down for a couple a seconds it seems to correct itself and go into Getting Started mode. If I use the Autostar software app, none of the display text is displayed in the simulated handbox dialog. Having said all that, the arrow buttons control the mount OK and the auto tracking works.) As I've only just picked up the scope I'm hoping to engineer it to track with the DSLR attached by counter balancing it with a C-cross section bar bolted underneath the tube - providing support for the DSLR (it weights about 900 grams with the T-adaptor connected) and counter balancing it - no idea how successful this will be -b picking up the metal bar tomorrow from toolstation! The scope came with a 26mm plossi and 9.7mm plossi. The focussing knob doesn't feel that precise, especially when trying to focus the DSLR in live view with 10x magnification - I've managed to pick up a motorised focussing controller which is on its way from telescope house so I'm hoping that will improve the focussing. I've been told the 5 inch tube doesn't provide sufficient depth of field for deep space - I'm wondering if more could be squeezed out of it by using a focal reducer ...

Hi DSLR Nut - I’ve just purchased an ETX-125ec and want to use it with a DSLR. I’m just looking at making a support bar for the camera and wondered how you got on with your setup and any hints and tips you may have.