Toucam Focussing or not!

[Mikesmad]

I am still collimdoodahing my 8" Newtonian but get images that at least resemble the moon.

However, when I put the webcam in my MEADE 114/900 (collimation fine), the cam will not focus.

It does get less blurred as it reaches the end of the focusser travel ( closest to the OTA ).

Anyone offer any help here please?

[geppetto]

Quite a problem that..

It means you haven't got enough "in focus" which means

the camera can't get close enough to the primary.

Fixing it is a problem though and could entail some surgery to your scope.

First thing, try a barlow in and that should let you focus but then the magnification

would be very high for your scope.

Second, look at how the camera is mounted in the focuser, is there a way to get it closer

to the OTA ?

Third recollimate the scope but first, turn the collimation screws (if they are long enough)

such that the primary mirror is moved further up the tube.

Forth and most drastic is to remove the primary, cut a bit of the tube length and re fit.

Some things to try but you might not be able to fix this.

Welcome to the forum by the way

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

Hi Mike, and welcome. Just which 'scope is it that you can't focus, the 8" or the 114mm?

As Phil says, it's a known issue with some Newts that you can't get enough in focus but there are ways round it. Any chance of a picture of the camera fitted to the focusser?

Captain Chaos

[Mikesmad]

Thank you both for the replies, the problem lies with the Meade 114mm.

I will try a 2 x Barlow in it first, as there is no way I can get the cam closer to the OTA (and the pretty standard adapter is screwed as far into the webcam as it will safely go).

I am understandably reluctant to get my hammer and chisel oot to the tube itself.

It is my first telescope , I collimated without any hassle and it is just crystal clear on the moon. This was taken with a wee Fuji held into the eyepiece!

Looks like I need to register at ISEE so here's one from Bucket..

I will try and sort out a photo of the 114 with the webcam in positon but it really is as far in as an eyepiece would be, in fact, more so.

Thanks again for the welcome and your help.

[Ambermile]

Sadly your scope only has a 1.25" focuser - this means your only option (other than sliding the primary up the tube a bit or moving the focuser/secondary down) is to get a low profile webcam adapter. I believe Bern at Modern Astronomy is your man for one of these.

http://www.modernastronomy.com/toucampro.html - second one down if you click on the accessories tab.

Arthur

[Mikesmad]

Is that the Meade F 3.3 Reducer at a mere £149, Arthur?

If so, I might just pass for the momento.

[GazOC]

The £20 Atik one (4th down) will probably allow you to bring the camera into focus, but its not suitable for visual use, thats why its cheaper.

[Ambermile]

No - the second one down. See? The SHORT WEBCAM ADAPTER I was talking about...

Arthur

[Mikesmad]

Sorry Arthur, no "SHORT WEBCAM ADAPTER" showing on the accessories page with my cache.

However, my cache does (nearly) match up with Gaz's page.

The fourth one doon being the Atik doodah, although it appears to be a fiver dearer this side of the border LOL.

I will put it on my Santa list!

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

It's the OTHER accesories button, just above the picture of teh webcam, not the top line one.

Captain Chaos

[Ambermile]

Thanks CC - I thought I was going to have to cut n paste for a while there

Arthur

PS - not to mention the fact that by putting a *reducer* in the way you are going to make your problem even worse!

[Mikesmad]

It's a good job I saved my reply, I wouldn't want to boil an egg to one of Grant's minutes LOL!

Ta for that, CC. I was wondering if Specsavers were going to get one or two more customers there.

OK Arthur, we are on the same page at last.

" Short webcam adapter

£15

Short adaptor to enable the use of the focal reducer in 1.25" focusers on telescopes with modest focuser in-travel. "

Now then does this mean I still need the Atik doodah as well, or will I take it off my Santa list?

By the way, it looks suspiciously like the adapter I am already using.

I suppose the length is shorter, to live up to its' title, though how that gets my cam nearer to the OTA kinda defeats me?

Unless of course, I do need space to put the Atik reducer in first?

In which case, whilst I am wondering about your decrying of said reducer, I will utilize my hammer and chisel on my present adapter and save myself £15

Life seems very complicated at times!

[GazOC]

Forget about the Atik, Arthurs right it wil require even more in focus. I got a wee bit mixed up.

[Ambermile]

The short adapter does not have a shoulder and so allows the webcam to go further into the focuser. If you want to get the reducer you will need to get more than a hammer to the focuser though to use it...

Arthur

[Mikesmad]

Now I finally understand.............

..........many thanks, Arthur.