Telescope astrophotography

proudgeek

OK, all of you astrophotographers, here's a tough one.

My neighbor has an older reflector telescope, a Meade 4500 (for reference, here's a link to the manual: https://www.optcorp.com/pdf/OPT/EDU/Meade4500.pdf). We've decided to have a go at some low-end astrophotography.

So far we're setting our sights low — just the moon. So we've purchased the following:
A Nikon T-mount (compatible with my D800's f-mount) — http://www.meade.com/products/accessories/photography-accessories/meade-nikon-t-mount.html
A Basic Camera Adapter — http://www.meade.com/products/accessories/photography-accessories/meade-basic-camera-adapter-1-25.html

Theoretically and based on everything I've seen, this should be all we need to photograph the moon. But here's the issue: with the adapter assembly installed (replacing the telescope's eyepiece) I can't get the moon in focus. No matter how much I adjust the telescope's focus in either direction it doesn't seem to work. If I had to guess, the length of the camera adapter + the distance between the f-mount and my sensor is much greater than the length of the eyepiece. But that's just a guess on my part.

So here are my questions:
1. Is the telescope so old that there are compatability issues?
2. Do I need another adapter like this one: http://www.meade.com/products/accessories/photography-accessories/meade-variable-projection-camera-adapter-1-25.html
3. Or are there other parts I need. The manual mentions a #126 2x Telenegative Barlow Lens (1.25” O.D.)

Does any of this ring a bell with anyone. Has anyone tried this? All input is welcomed.

Thanks.

spraynpray

I certainly can't help Greg, you may have some luck with other members, but I would contact a local astronomy club and ask them if I were you?

Ironheart

You need more glass
"The Basic Camera Adapter (1.25") accepts an eyepiece that will project an enlarged image to the camera or imager such as a Meade DSI. A 1.25" eyepiece is typically inserted into the body of the Basic Camera Adapter, typically in the 15mm to 32mm focal length range. The resulting effective focal ratio is then determined by the eyepiece used."

You need to put a eyepiece into the camera adapter. Start with the one that came with the scope.

tganiats

Hmmm... I have used a camera adapter with a 10 inch and a 4 inch Meade telescope w/o any other glass. In fact, the adapter has no place to hold the extra glass. Now, that said, while the images were focussed, I never was pleased (too much telescope/camera shake??

NSXTypeR

My college has a huge telescope. I was actually wondering if the professor would allow me to mount a F-mount to it if he was willing to let me have access to it. The dude was not cool though, so I didn't push for it.



Good luck with your endeavors!

Ironheart

tganiats said:

Hmmm... I have used a camera adapter with a 10 inch and a 4 inch Meade telescope w/o any other glass. In fact, the adapter has no place to hold the extra glass. Now, that said, while the images were focussed, I never was pleased (too much telescope/camera shake??

You were probably using a t-adapter:

http://www.meade.com/meade-62-t-adapter-07352.html

@proudgeek bought a basic camera adapter:

http://www.meade.com/meade-basic-camera-adapter-1-25.html

As you can see, the basic camera adapter is much longer, and is designed to fit into the eyepiece tube. The t-adapter is designed to replace the entire eyepiece, and gets you to the correct focal length to put the focus on the sensor. The basic camera adapter needs an eyepiece placed "inside" of it to get the right focus. Also, you can put a barlow lens into the camera adapter to enlarge the image, think of it like a teleconverter.

Here's a different model, but same idea:

And one more:

tganiats

@Ironheart is exactly correct. I used the t-adapter.