DSLR parts needed for the job!

[jaycee900]

Ok I've decided I'm going to order the NexStar 127 SLT at the weekend, and i want to be able to take some DSLR photos with it, obviously for my camera i need a Canon EOS T Ring @ £13

Can anyone recommend some good barlow lenses, i have found this one which doubles as a T-Adaptor and 2xbarlow lens in one unit for £23, or should i go for the "Celestron T-Adapter, Universal 1-1/4" @£19 and a decent barlow lens?

Finally, I'm a bit stumped to find out, when attaching a DSLR camera, obviously its taken the place of the eyepiece, is there any point of me buying expensive lenses if my DSLR camera will be taking their place on the scope lens, my camera is a Canon EOS400D with two lenses, 18-55mm and 55mm-200mm.

[malc-c]

What are you hoping to use the scope for? The 127 SLT comes on an alt/azimuth mount which isn't ideal for astro-photography, especially when it comes to long exposures, mainly because of field rotation. Whilst it is possible to correct this in the post processing software, it's not ideal. The 127 also has a focal ratio of f11 which means you have to expose longer to get a similar result from a comparable telescope of f5 for example. Also the added weight of a DSLR can put a strain on the point the scope attaches to the mount.

The 127 will however excel at imaging the moon, Jupiter when using a web cam. You should also be able to take some images of the brighter objects such as M45, M31 and M42, where subs of less than 60 seconds can be taken with your DSLR and stacked in software.

If you really want to start imaging some of the fainter deep space objects then the mount on which the scope sits plays as much an importiant part as the optics. It needs to be an equatorial mount, driven in RA (minimum) and be able to take the weight of the optics and camera with ease.

[Tinker1947]

Coupling the T-ring to the Tube will need something like this, phone and ask to make sure you get the right bit...

First Light Optics - Celestron SCT T-Adapter

[Bigeye]

Order it sooner rather than later as I ordered one last night and its getting harder to find anyone with stock at a good price.

[jaycee900]

What are you hoping to use the scope for? The 127 SLT comes on an alt/azimuth mount which isn't ideal for astro-photography, especially when it comes to long exposures, mainly because of field rotation. Whilst it is possible to correct this in the post processing software, it's not ideal. The 127 also has a focal ratio of f11 which means you have to expose longer to get a similar result from a comparable telescope of f5 for example. Also the added weight of a DSLR can put a strain on the point the scope attaches to the mount.

The 127 will however excel at imaging the moon, Jupiter when using a web cam. You should also be able to take some images of the brighter objects such as M45, M31 and M42, where subs of less than 60 seconds can be taken with your DSLR and stacked in software.

If you really want to start imaging some of the fainter deep space objects then the mount on which the scope sits plays as much an importiant part as the optics. It needs to be an equatorial mount, driven in RA (minimum) and be able to take the weight of the optics and camera with ease.

As a beginner, the main things im after is to view and photograph the moon and main planets and some larger galaxy clusters and the like, im not too bothered about having to expose longer, i just want an easy to use scope with tracking that can hold the weight of my dslr!

[malc-c]

As a beginner, the main things im after is to view and photograph the moon and main planets and some larger galaxy clusters and the like, im not too bothered about having to expose longer

Then the Mak127 should do that just fine...

[jaycee900]

Coupling the T-ring to the Tube will need something like this, phone and ask to make sure you get the right bit...

First Light Optics - Celestron SCT T-Adapter

Isnt the T-Adaptor on this 2x barlow ok for the job?

Or what about this one, says its for the Nexstar 4 (which im getting now)

Celestron C90/C130/NexStar 4 T Adaptor

In short do i just need a T-adaptor and T-ring to get started?! or another adaptor for the different threads, its confusing!

Lastly, sorry I'm a newb, do the T-adaptors screw into the camera body or end of the lens on the camera? or either option?!

[DaveT]

Find out what your telescope accepts (2" or 1.25") lens size. You will then need a t ring for your camera type and then a t adapter size as per above. There are some excellent posts on here showing a dslr setup. so you should have your dslr, then your t ring, then your t adapter inserted into your scope.

Hope im right as this is what i have ordered yesterday (newbie as well LOL)

[jaycee900]

Thanks guys, yeah I'm just going to order the t-ring and t-adaptor with 2xbarlow to start with, its all very daunting and my head will explode with all the different combinations of things if i dont take a break from searching!

[DaveT]

I know what you mean mate -- i have been scratching my head with it all for the past week or two, but this forum is excellent for info, and also the people on here are brilliant for help. I have seen some of the questions asked, and the time they take to sit down and sort them out is remarkable. I have learned a load from other peoples questions as well

[jaycee900]

Yes everyone is nice and respectful to starters, I know I've asked some what probably seem stupid questions, but they have replied decently, also i picked this forum because i think its one of the biggest on the net, and there always seems to be people on here and you get questions answered quickly.

[Squagnut]

Thanks guys, yeah I'm just going to order the t-ring and t-adaptor with 2xbarlow to start with, its all very daunting and my head will explode with all the different combinations of things if i dont take a break from searching!

I'd advise you to get a plain nosepiece (i.e. a non-Barlow adaptor) as well, as this will be useful for some larger DSOs ...

... and first to spend plenty of time just observing with eyepieces without trying to take images. This way you'll learn how the telescope behaves and how to control it. Many people want to jump straight in to astrophotography, when having a season of simple observing under your belt will serve you well.

Yes everyone is nice and respectful to starters, I know I've asked some what probably seem stupid questions, but they have replied decently, also i picked this forum because i think its one of the biggest on the net, and there always seems to be people on here and you get questions answered quickly.

I spend time on a few other (non-astro) forums, where we speak very freely and frankly on all manner of topics. I'm getting used to biting my tongue on here! But one thing I'd say to all newbies is that you're unlikely to get good results simply by throwing money at astronomy kit - the fun, the results and the learning are gained by the patience and effort you put in. Learning the necessary terminology is a huge bonus to anybody's appreciation of the night sky, and it makes communication more straightforward. Many people are more than satisfied with a decent set of binoculars, and they're astronomers too! Astronomy is a study, not an exercise in gathering kit - it would help many beginners to read a book or two on the subject before splashing out. That said, having kit is nice! But knowledge empowers.

The bottom line is, old hands (and I am by no means an old hand) neither want newbies to have a disappointing first experience of practical astronomy, nor to seem elitist (difficult sometimes in a discipline full of abbreviations and specialist terms), but at the same time, newbies often come with expectations that their initial budget will probably not satisfy, and/or, metaphorically, try to run before they've learned to walk.

[Tinker1947]

Sticking a barlow inbetween the scope and the camera is not a good idea, all it will do is magnify any errors in tracking, scope misalignment prime focus is all thats needed, the camera to focuser,,,nothing inbetween...

[jaycee900]

Ok thanks guys, I wont use a barlow except for viewing....I've managed to cancel my original order of a Nexstar 4, I'm going to go for the

"SkyWatcher Explorer 150PDS EQ3 PRO Reflector Telescope"

while its £200 more @£599, stretching my budget to the limit! I'd rather still have the goto and tracking which i wanted, but on a better tripod, plus I've been looking at pictures taken with these scopes, and as you say a faster f rating is required for my astrophotography, just have to find somewhere to store it when it arrives!