Imaging Moon - DSLR & Barlow

[AstroKane]

Hi All - I have been imaging the moon for about a year with pleasing results. With my recent upgrade to a tracking mount I can now begin to try some closer shots.

My mount is an advance VX and scope is a Celestron Edge HD, more importantly I image with a Canon 700D, T ring adapter and Celestron Telescope T Camera Adapter with Barlow Lens (x2) and have been able to get the below kind of shots.

My question is  - Can people recommend good barlows that will hook up to my T-ring adaptor and Canon that will allow me to get right up and close.

Cheers 

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Nice shots. I have used a 2.5x TV PowerMate  with my EOS 700D and Celestron C8, which works well. More frequently I actually use the 0.63x focal reducer so I can get the entire moon on the chip.

[Craney]

Is it true to suggest that the TV Powermates are the best device for magnifying images ?      I have a second hand 2xTV PM and it just gives better results than brand new barlows. ( I have tried Edmund Sci and ImageMates)  ...... Fair enough it is a lot more expensive, but it is the case that 'you get what you pay for " ??

Interested if any experienced imagers have gone through the dealer entire catalogue in search of the 'best'.

regards,

Sean.

 

[AstroKane]

Thanks! For entire moon shots I use iPhone to good effect. With the DLSR I want to build up to mosaics.

I have seen that the Powermate mentioned a lot - is this the best option...?...! Perhaps stacking barlows is an easier alternative -how much impact will this have on image quality!

[johnfosteruk]

I've had some pretty good results with GSO and Revelation Astro Barlows for detail shots and that's without a tracking mount so if you wanted to dabble without too much expense you could give those a go.

To be fair though I've not used a powermate and they'll hold their value if you don't like it.

Buy a powermate

 

[celestron8g8]

 

How do you insert the barlow between your camera and scope ? I have to use a Tele-Extender with a 12mm Plossi to be able to get closerup images but never been able to add a barlow .

[AstroKane]

16 hours ago, celestron8g8 said:

 

How do you insert the barlow between your camera and scope ? I have to use a Tele-Extender with a 12mm Plossi to be able to get closerup images but never been able to add a barlow .

Hi - I have a canon T-ring that fits on to the  Celestron Telescope T Camera Adapter with Barlow Lens (x2). If you google that it will give you the idea.

[AstroKane]

17 hours ago, johnfosteruk said:

I've had some pretty good results with GSO and Revelation Astro Barlows for detail shots and that's without a tracking mount so if you wanted to dabble without too much expense you could give those a go.

To be fair though I've not used a powermate and they'll hold their value if you don't like it.

Buy a powermate

 

Powermate - Next purchase  I am thinking the x5.

[celestron8g8]

6 minutes ago, AstroKane said:

Hi - I have a canon T-ring that fits on to the  Celestron Telescope T Camera Adapter with Barlow Lens (x2). If you google that it will give you the idea.

Ok I see now that Celestron sells it . Basically it's the same thing as a Digi-T adapter for EPs' . Does that adapter work on any Barlow or is it a permanently attached to the Barlow ?

[celestron8g8]

1 hour ago, AstroKane said:

Hi - I have a canon T-ring that fits on to the  Celestron Telescope T Camera Adapter with Barlow Lens (x2). If you google that it will give you the idea.

Is there anyway you can tell me what thread size is that on the Barlow ? I have a Canon camcorder I want to use and it takes a 43mm filter so i'm looking for a 43mm stepdown ring that has inside threads that would fit that barlow . I've been checking with Adaroma and they can't seem to tell me if their Digi-T adapter for a 1.25" EP will fit the 37mm inside step down ring they sell . I have to contact their store and they would physically pull both parts and see if the Digi-T will screw into the 43mm-37mm step down ring . But thought I'd ask if you might already know the thread size of that barlow ? If it would I could use my camcorder as well as my camera .

[AstroKane]

2 hours ago, celestron8g8 said:

Is there anyway you can tell me what thread size is that on the Barlow ? I have a Canon camcorder I want to use and it takes a 43mm filter so i'm looking for a 43mm stepdown ring that has inside threads that would fit that barlow . I've been checking with Adaroma and they can't seem to tell me if their Digi-T adapter for a 1.25" EP will fit the 37mm inside step down ring they sell . I have to contact their store and they would physically pull both parts and see if the Digi-T will screw into the 43mm-37mm step down ring . But thought I'd ask if you might already know the thread size of that barlow ? If it would I could use my camcorder as well as my camera .

I am out right now but will check as soon as I can!

[celestron8g8]

15 minutes ago, AstroKane said:

I am out right now but will check as soon as I can!

Ok thanks . With the measurements of the threads on the Barlow can tell me if it will screw directly into my 43mm camcorder or if I need to find a step ring to take up the difference . I been wanting to use my Canon EM F50 a long time with my scope but can seem to find measurements .

[Owmuchonomy]

I assume your pixel size is 4.3 microns. Therefore you need to aim for f/20 as optimum. So a 2x Barlow or powermate is perfect. Going higher is likely to yield poor results.

[celestron8g8]

16 hours ago, AstroKane said:

I am out right now but will check as soon as I can!

I found out the ID of a camera T-Ring is 42mm so the Barlow's OD threads must be 42mm . So for me to use my camcorder which has 43mm  threads I need a 43mm-42mm stepdown ring . Got to get one on order and may order that Barlow also . What's your opinion on the glass quality in that Barlow ?