Best camera *platform* for moon pictures?

Just as a counter example, this was the same system I tried, the Scopetronix,
and I didn't find it working as well as Larry did, but as they say, your mileage
may vary. ^_^
--
Sincerely,
--- Dave
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It don't mean a thing
unless it has that certain "je ne sais quoi"
Duke Ellington
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"Larry Stedman" wrote in message
...
Howard, I was in the same boat for a while, doing the handheld, which
worked okay (heck, I even used a PalmPix, the old Kodak attachment to a
Palm, and got some decent shots).

Everything I read from users suggested staying away from any device or
"platform" that required you to manually line it up with the
eyepiece--just doesn't work that well (same problem as trying
handheld--getting it lined up right and focal plane set well).

I settled on the Scopetronix attachment, which mates the camera directly
to the eyepiece. Works incredibly well, costs up to $90 or so depending
on camera. I did discover that the first one I got (for a Kodak DX3900)
included the standard Kodak adapter for lenses, so one could save some
money by assembling things (adapter from camera company, Digi-T ring
from Scopetronix). Note also that the Digi-T system works with only
certain eyepieces... e.g., generic Plossls, and not with such "beasts"
as Pentaxes and Panoptics.

Nikons are special... or at least many are, having 28mm lens screw and
thereby taking some cheaper Scopetronix solutions.

With the Scopetronix and an 8" dob, I got some wonderful Mars pics at
the last opposition. Now, focusing is still a bear, so there is still a
large % of throwaways. If you have other questions ask away. The
yahoo digital astro group is also very helpful.

Larry Stedman
Vestal

Look carefully. Yes, the lens has not attachment screw threads because it does
retract after a short while, but on most cameras, there is a part of the camera
body that protects the barrel of the lens when it retracts. This part usually
has threads on the inside where attachments can screw in. Both my Olympus
C-3000 and my Nikon 4300 have this feature, which allows some attachments like
filters to be used on these cameras, and it's these threads that allow you to
attach these cameras to telescopes via adapters.
--
Sincerely,
--- Dave
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It don't mean a thing
unless it has that certain "je ne sais quoi"
Duke Ellington
----------------------------------------------------------------------

"Howard Lester" wrote in message
...

"Larry Stedman" wrote

I settled on the Scopetronix attachment, which mates the camera directly
to the eyepiece. Works incredibly well, costs up to $90 or so depending
on camera. I did discover that the first one I got (for a Kodak DX3900)
included the standard Kodak adapter for lenses,

Thanks, Larry, but my Nikon 3200 lens is not threaded, so as far as I can
tell there are no real adapters for it. Even if there was some adapter that
screwed onto the outside of the camera lens barrel, the lens retracts after
about 60 seconds of non-use, and... ouch!

"David Nakamoto" wrote

Look carefully. Yes, the lens has not attachment screw threads because it
does
retract after a short while, but on most cameras, there is a part of the
camera
body that protects the barrel of the lens when it retracts. This part
usually
has threads on the inside where attachments can screw in.

Thanks, Dave. Though I don't believe the Nikon 3200 (a real point n' shoot)
has threads, I'll check later to be sure. And while I'm checking, won't you
all please check out the fine L.L. Bean blue corduroy shirt I'm wearing:
nice threads.

Howard

Dave, always good to have a counter-example!

Just curious what camera it was and what didn't work...

One minor problem I've encountered is the ring coming off from the
camera and remaining on the eyepiece, wreaks havoc in the dark when
you're trying to switch between eyepieces or cameras and what used to
attach no longer does! I've learned to hang on to it before unscrewing
the eyepiece.

Also, the ring goes round and round on my 3900 adapter now... don't know
if it got cross-threaded or what, but I'll probably pick up another
Kodak adapter ($15 or so).

Larry Stedman
Vestal