Astrophotography

[Sennbix]

I have a Nikon D3100 digital camera which I want to attach to a Celestron 130 EQ. My question is do I need to buy a T ring and T ring adapter. Everywhere I have looked (Amazon for instance) just advertises a T Ring for the Nikon and then says people who bought this also bought this and this one of them being a T adapter which is quite confusing. So, do I need both to attach my Camera?

[Jonk]

A T-Ring screws onto the camera in place of a lens.

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/adaptors/t-rings.html

A T-Adaptor allows you to connect the camera with the T-Ring fitted onto a telescope.

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

So you need both.

[Sennbix]

Ah, many thanks, clarity at last.

[rockinrome]

Hi. You won't always need the t-adapter as some scopes already have the thread for the t-ring on the focuser. However, I always find it useful to use a t-adapter as you can orient the camera properly to change settings, see screen, etc.

All the best.

[JamesF]

Be aware however that it's possible that the camera won't reach focus with the 130EQ.  There may not be sufficient inwards travel on the focuser.  There are some ways to work around the problem, but it's a bit of a nuisance.

James

[TiTanecd]

If I remember my 130EQ and 500D could only reach focus with a 2x barlow. And then imaging is limited to perfect PA and under <30sec subs.

It can reach focus when looking at the moon, but I have to manually hold up my camera with no lens / adapters etc, to the focus tube.

Depends what object you want. Lunar or DSO?