Lunar photography with 0.5 focal reducer

[jACK101]

I have taken a number of shots using my Celestron CPC925 with my  Nikon D3200. These are reasonably OK but  I cannot get all of the moon into the frame. I bought a very cheap 0.5 focal reducer on Ebay This screws into the short 1 1/4" stub mounted on the camera. When I use this I cannot get the moon into focus and all I can see is a fuzzy "Polo Mint". I have tried a longer tube on the camera, about 2 - 2 1/2", and this allows me to get the focus but the "Polo Mint" is still very dominant.

 

Is it possible to make this or some similar arrangement work or should I buy the Celestron focal reducer, which mounts directly onto the end of the telescope?

 

Thanks

[jambouk]

Can you show the polo mint on here?

often focual reducers need to be carefully paired a specif telescope. Is this focal reducer designed for the C8?

James

[Cornelius Varley]

 Instead of trying to reduce the size of the moon to fit it onto the sensor, try taking a number of overlapping shots and merge them together in Microsoft ICE .

[jACK101]

Peter,

 

Thanks very much for that, you have solved my problem. The programme is easy to use and also very quick. See attached result.

[celestron8g8]

The Celestron FR/6.3 is mainly used to shorten imaging time . However it also makes your image slightly smaller and you usually have to deal with vignetting  . I have a C8 and with diagonal/32mm Plossi only I can see all of the moon in the EP . Can you do the same with your 9.25 ? I use a Canon XSi crop camera and I have to take two images cause the bottom of the moon wont fit in the frame all at once . But I solved that problem . I bought a Clestron 2" diagonal and 2" EP fro viewing . Absolutely love it ! I can image all the moon with one shot or I can image the Sun with a Solar Filter and get all of it in the frame of my camera . All I needed was my T-Ring and a 2" camera adapter which fit in place of the 2" EP I used and very little if any readjusting the focus . I got lucky on a Stellarvue 32mm Plossi EP back a few years ago getting a huge discount on a discontinued EP . But you can still get a Meade 32mm Plossi for $40.27 at B&H Photo . The Celestron Reducer runs about $109.95 at B&H Photo Also

http://www.celestron.com/browse-shop/astronomy/visual-accessories/diagonals/2in-mirror-diagonal-with-xlt-coatings

http://www.stellarvue.com/camera-adapter-t-thread-to-2-focuser-ca003/

If you have a Canon DSLR you can get the adapter all in one piece at Orion :

http://www.telescope.com/Astrophotography/Camera-Adapters-T-Rings/Orion-Superwide-2-Prime-Focus-Adapter-for-Canon-EOS-Cameras/pc/-1/c/4/sc/62/p/115062.uts

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/202980-REG/Meade_07176_02_Series_4000_32mm_Super.html/?c3api=3679%2Cbing%2C2764376398%2C4584963487896715

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/202121-REG/Celestron_94175_f_6_3_Reducer_Corrector.html

[jACK101]

1 hour ago, Cornelius Varley said:

 Instead of trying to reduce the size of the moon to fit it onto the sensor, try taking a number of overlapping shots and merge them together in Microsoft ICE .

Peter,

 

Another one from an earlier sequence. Thanks again

 

Jack

[jACK101]

I haven't tried a 32mm EP. My problem was using my Nikon in prime focus mode. I have managed to get what I need from Peter's suggestion, see above. Thanks for your help.

 

Jack