Paulhinthe808

It hasn’t been mentioned, but keep the APM 30mm UFF and its clones on your radar as well.   Haven’t used one, but it is reported to be an excellent performer in a fast scope

Refer to this link, it may be helpful.   Go to the custom menu and then drop down the autofocus settings.   Click on those and select release, so it will trigger the shutter when you push and not wait for the lens to focus.  It should have settings for af-c and af-s, set both just to be sure.

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/981014/Nikon-D5500.html?page=270

I’d agree with the above post in that you need a longer nose on your t adapter to go a little deeper into your Barlow.  As a cheap solution, maybe try putting a piece of tape over the light leak just to seal it up.   Maybe it will work, maybe not, but you’re nothing out of pocket to try.

I’m fairly new at this and have the same scope.   I’m guessing that you got the 30mm wide view and the (iirc) 6mm.  Start out with the 30mm piece in the focuser.   There’s one of the set screws on the focuser that locks it in place.   The focuser knobs will spin, but the tube won’t move.   Check your manual (it is also online as a pdf) to determine which is the lock screw, it will be easier for you to find it from their picture than for me to describe it to you.   The focuser is dual speed.  The big knobs are for coarse adjustment, the small for fine adjustment.   The big knobs are pretty accurate and precise.  Mess around with it when you aren’t trying to see anything with it and sort it out.