How to guide with a telephoto camera lens?

[smr]

Hi all,

If I buy an HEQ5 mount and use my Sigma 150-600 lens on it, nearer the 400mm-600mm range, I'd obviously have to guide for longish subs, how would I go about attaching a guidescope to it? If someone could explain how it can be done I'd be very grateful indeed. Obviously with a refractor you can simply add a guidescope ontop of it but I don't know how it can be done with a telephoto camera lens.

 

Any advice much appreciated.

[Stargazer McCabe]

@StuartJPP may be able to help. From memory this mini guidescope was used atop his Canon lens for a long while, I believe he has altered the way it is set up now with his new Avalon mount, but I'm sure he'll be able to help you...

 

 

[ChrisEll]

Perhaps some kind of vixen saddle bar that has 2 attachments, one for the DSLR and one for the guide scope. This link is probably not what you need but gives you an idea.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adm-vixen-type-v-series/adm-v-series-side-by-side-mounting-system.html

However rather than waste money on one of those consider a small ED refractor that can be had for around £200.

[catburglar]

Could get this guiding bundle from FLO and then mount the lens&DSLR on the mounting rings using the included camera attachment

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/guide-cameras/guide-scope-bundle-suitable-for-side-by-side-bars-or-guidescope-mounts.html

 

[wxsatuser]

Side by side is how I did it.

Altair Astro side by side dove tail with 60mm guidescope.

[newbie alert]

You could try this..

http://www.astrokraken.fr/dovetail-adapter-for-dslr-flash-grip-a132406226

[Stub Mandrel]

How long a sub do you want?

With a HEQ5 1-2 minute subs should be achievable at 600mm without guiding and excellent polar alignment.

[smr]

Thanks for the replies guys - regarding sub length I'd be very happy with 1-2 minutes for the time being, I don't mind stacking lots of subs to stretch out the data. If that's feasible with my Sigma at 600mm on an HEQ5 without guiding then that'd be great!

[ChrisEll]

22 hours ago, newbie alert said:

You could try this..

http://www.astrokraken.fr/dovetail-adapter-for-dslr-flash-grip-a132406226

Interesting device but I would be concerned about flexure with that.

[russp]

Something like this? It's simply a cheap nodal slide rail. 

 

[Astro_mark_c]

Am i right in thinking if you want to use a guide scope for a lens you need to hook it up to a laptop?

[wxsatuser]

1 hour ago, Sidecontrol said:

Am i right in thinking if you want to use a guide scope for a lens you need to hook it up to a laptop?

Not always. mine is a stand alone Lacerta guider.

[MarkAR]

How about one of these.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33000858246.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.c39d4afePoDheN&algo_pvid=608911be-9d12-4a48-9db4-efe92ba2be72&algo_expid=608911be-9d12-4a48-9db4-efe92ba2be72-59&btsid=0b0a01f815826282298738536e3597&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_