astrophotography Prime focus with skywatcher 130p

[Pincs]

Hi I'm thinking about buying a SKYWATCHER EXPLORER 130P SYNSCAN AZ GOTO TELESCOPE for astrophotography but I've heard that prime focus is not possible without modifications. Could I use an extention tube with my DSLR to fix this? Thanks.

Pincs

[LaurenceT]

2 minutes ago, Pincs said:

Hi I'm thinking about buying a SKYWATCHER EXPLORER 130P SYNSCAN AZ GOTO TELESCOPE for astrophotography but I've heard that prime focus is not possible without modifications. Could I use an extention tube with my DSLR to fix this? Thanks.

Pincs

Is it possible for you to buy a Skywatcher 130pds instead with that mount? The 130pds is essentially the same scope as the 130p but is modified to support astrophotography.

[Crackabarrel]

I have the same scope and tried previously to get prime focus using a DSLR.

Unfortunately the 130P does not have enough inward travel to achieve focus, at least in my experience, you may be better served by looking at the 130PDS which has focuser capable of acheiving focus with a DSLR

[Cornelius Varley]

7 minutes ago, Pincs said:

Hi I'm thinking about buying a SKYWATCHER EXPLORER 130P SYNSCAN AZ GOTO TELESCOPE for astrophotography but I've heard that prime focus is not possible without modifications. Could I use an extention tube with my DSLR to fix this? Thanks.

Pincs

An extension tube would just make the situation worse. The camera needs to be closer to the secondary to achieve focus with the standard 130P or move the point of focus outwards by using a barlow lens. The AZ 130P does use a 2" focuser so it might be possible to reach focus, without modification, by attaching the camera body directly to the focuser using a t-ring.

[Pincs]

I see... Thanks for the replys everyone, I'll have a look in to the 300pds!