Getting entire lunar image

[maw lod qan]

I'm using an Orion 8" F4.9 with a Canon SL1, 23mm lens in camera to telescope adapter. Can't get but 1/4 of the moon in an image.

I bought a better quality lens, 32mm hoping to get the full image, but it won't fit my adapter.

Is there anything I can do. I've seen reducer lens but not sure if they will work with a reflector.

[xtreemchaos]

just have the camera without a ep inbetween camera and scope, you should get a full disc then . charl.

[Cornelius Varley]

32 minutes ago, maw lod qan said:

I'm using an Orion 8" F4.9 with a Canon SL1, 23mm lens in camera to telescope adapter. Can't get but 1/4 of the moon in an image.

I bought a better quality lens, 32mm hoping to get the full image, but it won't fit my adapter.

Is there anything I can do. I've seen reducer lens but not sure if they will work with a reflector.

You should be able to get the full disc of the moon on the sensor by not using an eyepiece in the focuser (the method you are using is normally referred to as eyepiece projection), just connect the body of the camera to the focuser by using a t-ring (prime focus imaging). The diameter of the moon will be about 10mm on the sensor with this method. Conversely, take a series of overlapping images and stitch these together in Microsoft ICE or Photoshop.

link to eyepiece projection calculator

Size of moon at prime focus

 

[maw lod qan]

Tried prime focus but couldn't focus inward enough. I'll try again to be 100% certain.

[Buzzard75]

I couldn't get prime focus on my 12" dob without using a Barlow, as is often the case. The method I used to image the moon was to take multiple frames and stitch them together in a mosaic. If you can't get prime focus, using the same method with eyepiece projection or a Barlow may be your only option, without modifying your scope that is.

[Cornelius Varley]

28 minutes ago, maw lod qan said:

Tried prime focus but couldn't focus inward enough. I'll try again to be 100% certain.

It might depend on the type of focuser you have. The Skywatcher range use a 2" focuser with a 1.25" adapter, removing the 2" tube reveals a t-thread on the part that goes into the drawer tube.

 

[Galen Gilmore]

If it is f/4.9 you should have enough inward travel to get focus, my 130PDS is f/5 and easily has enough travel for prime focus.

Maybe the T-adapter is too long?

[Knight of Clear Skies]

You could try taking multiple shots and stitch them together with Microsoft ICE, which is a free download. If you give this a go leave plenty of overlap between each frame, which will improve the chances of them stitching together correctly.