What shall I do?

[Stargazer 2013]

Hi,I mentioned my problem in my Nikon D3200 camera thread but thought would start a new thread as that one was a bit long now.I bought a Nikon D3200 and also bought a T-ting and Celestron adapter and placed it on my Nikon to take some subs with my Skywatcher Explorer scope but I can't get the adapter in focus,it needs a bit further forward,probably half to one cm. Really frustrating as I really wanted to take some subs of the moon etc.Extremly disappointed. Here are some pictures

The black bit on the adapter is stopping it from going further..

Any help would be good..

[JB80]

Have you tried without the adaptor?

Maybe try that and see if it's any better.

[AstroTux]

When you say you want more focus travel is it inwards or outwards?

If it's inwards then surely you do not need the adapter, as the T-ring should connect directly to the screw thread on the top of your focusser.

hope this helps,

Alan

[DaveNicko]

Agree on the above. There seems to be a t-thread on the focusser itself so the t ring should screw directly onto it. No need for the adapter.

Good luck!

Dave.

[Stargazer 2013]

oh I didn't know that 

Have now took off the adapter and we will see when its a clear day.. Maybe I bought the adapter without needing it lol..Thanks for replies

[JB80]

I have the Skywatcher 150PL and I just screw the T-thread to the focuser and it's fine so it may be the same with yours.

[Stargazer 2013]

Ok..Now when I try to take a picture the shutter won't click,I know its supposed to say no lens attached but how am I supposed to take a picture if the shutter won't let me?

[JamesF]

Ok..Now when I try to take a picture the shutter won't click,I know its supposed to say no lens attached but how am I supposed to take a picture if the shutter won't let me?

Do you need to put the camera in manual mode?

James

[Stargazer 2013]

Do you need to put the camera in manual mode?

James

yes and I forgot to put my sd card in..Sorry my heads all over the place at the moment..

clicking now,all I want is a free cloud night but said rain next few nights..typical lol

[DaveNicko]

:-) good luck!

[Stargazer 2013]

I am even more fed up..I still can't focus..I have the adapter ooff just the t-ring on..If I wind it inwards the moon gets smaller but way out of focus,if I do it outwards the moon gets bigger and still blury.

Feel like giving up already..

[Stargazer 2013]

Forgot  to say I get a great moon shot with my eye piece. At my thether. It's the scope plastic winder thats causing the problem..like pic below

[JamesF]

Hmmm.  That part you've drawn the arrow to has a thread on the back, doesn't it?  Looks like it to me from the photo anyhow.

Will the T-ring adaptor for the camera screw straight onto that without the piece that's between them in that photo?

James

[Stargazer 2013]

Hmmm.  That part you've drawn the arrow to has a thread on the back, doesn't it?  Looks like it to me from the photo anyhow.

Will the T-ring adaptor for the camera screw straight onto that without the piece that's between them in that photo?

James

Evening James..When I take the adapter off I get a inch closer to the end of the black winder part so I thought I would be ok but no lol..

Have tried just the t-ring james if thats what you mean?

[Stargazer 2013]

more pics..

[JamesF]

That's what I meant.  The only option I can think of if that doesn't work is a T-to-1.25" adapter into a 2x barlow into the focuser.  If that doesn't work it's probably a case of getting longer collimation bolts and moving the mirror up the tube a bit.

James

[Stargazer 2013]

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/adaptors/flo-125-inch-t-mount-camera-adapter.html  ?

[JamesF]

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/adaptors/flo-125-inch-t-mount-camera-adapter.html  ?

That's what I had in mind.  I guess it's a lot like the Celestron part you have already, but more compact.  If you put that into the back of a 2x barlow, the barlow may move the focal point outwards far enough that you can get focus.  It's a bit of a gamble, but easier than moving the mirror, replacing the focuser or buying a different scope

James

[Stargazer 2013]

yes you could be right..I really don't have the money to buy more parts..I just had to give £700 towards my sons funeral next wednesday.

expensive just for a bit of plastic

[Stargazer 2013]

I can take of the silver part of the Celestron adapter but then it won't fit into the scope..just a bit wide

Has anyone got the same scope as me and same camera/fittings

 Sky-Watcher Explorer 130-P  and Nikon d3200?

[LouisJB]

130P - you may have to move the primary mirror, I had to as no matter how I fitted the DSLR is wouldn't quite focus. I even shaved some plastic off the top of the focuser, it isn't enough.

I still have the tube, I can take a pic tomorrow of what it looks like with modified bolts.

Bad news, you have to be a tiny bit brave to do it, good news, it cost about £2 in parts and is easy really. You will need to recolminate after, so some cheshire or whatever to do that will be needed.

However, I was using a Pentax K5, different cameras have different sensor locations, so you might be luckier with the Nikon, but it is a well known limitation of the 130P.

[Stargazer 2013]

Oh ok. Not sure if I could really move the primary mirror. Wouldn't know how far I would have to move it. Thanks for reply.

[Stargazer 2013]

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/183322-moving-the-skywatcher-130m-primary-mirror-up/ found this

[DaveNicko]

Just a thought: can you achieve focus with the camera attached to the barlow which has the lens cell screwed into the end? The picture above looks like the barlow doesn't have the cell attached (I may be wrong).

That would obviuosly double the focal length of the telescope so might not give you what you want, but might get you going? Apologies if you've already done this - it was just a thought...

[DaveNicko]

Oh, I see it isn't a barlow is it? Do you have a 2x barlow?