NexStar 4SE + Canon 350D

[Baz_sky]

Hi everyone,

I've had my 4SE since the summer and am keen on learning astrophotography , i've bought the necessary T Ring and T adapter to attach my 350D to the telescope.

A shutter release cable was supplied with the telescope but I am in need of a firing cable for the 350D that will link the shutter release cable to the camera body.

Does anyone know where I can find one?

Thanks for your help,

Baz

[ronin]

Just so you know:

An alt/az mount is not good for astrophotography.

The 4SE is a high f number so not good for astrophotography.

A 350D on an SE4 will need rebalancing, will add weight and could therefore overload the motors and gear train.

[Earl]

Its great for Luna shots though.

[hemihaggis]

hin there , you can buy a remote shutter release on ebay for about 5 quid they work fine , a focal reducer would be good x2 or x4 i think . and you can adjust the balance via the dovetail bar .

[Baz_sky]

Ok thanks for that hemihaggis, I appreciate I probably have'nt got the best equipment for astrophotography but i'm going to have a go

[malc-c]

Forget attaching your 350d and look at getting a webcam such as the spc800 (flashed to a 900) and use the scope for luna and planetary work. The long focal length and a dark sky should give cracking results of Jupiter

[Baz_sky]

Thanks Malcolm i'll have a look, guys at my local astronomy club seem to favour webcams

[Mike Hackenbacker]

i use that exact same setup and in some respects ronin's logic is correct you have to adjust the scope to balance it out,the other replys are also correct,but i have had some success photographing jupiters moons,but as others had said the phillips webcam is the way to go.

this video i shot was for someone else on youtube wanting to know the exact same thing you are asking..

Setup for astrophotography using Celestron nexstar 4SE. - YouTube

[Baz_sky]

Thanks Mike, that's really useful, reassuring to know others have the same setup!

[Sparrow]

Ok thanks for that hemihaggis, I appreciate I probably have'nt got the best equipment for astrophotography but i'm going to have a go

That's the spirit Baz - make the most of what you've got. Yes there are better set ups for astro work bu there's absolutely no harm in having a go with what you've got. I started out with the 6SE doing lunar planetary - very satisfying and moved on to a new scope and mount a few years later to get started properly on deep sky work.

One word of caution though - be careful with the camera mounted that it doesn't foul the base of the mount if you aim near the zenith - there's not much clearance there.

Have fun

Regards

John

[Baz_sky]

Cheers John,

I think i'll do the same and eventually upgrade (when I can save enough money). Hopefully having a go with my current set up will allow me to learn some techniques and how to process the images.

[Mike Hackenbacker]

sparrows logic is correct.for cases like that i would switch the camera from the rear to where the eyepiece goes,i prefer to slew the scope to what i want to look at then attach camera.that way i can see which viewpoint to attach camera