SLR Camera advice

I am looking at buying an entry level SLR type camera with the fittings to
use on my telescope. The Camera is a Canon EOS 3000, I am wondering if
anyone here has used one on their scope before and can give me some feedback
on it.

"skozzy" wrote in message
. ..
I am looking at buying an entry level SLR type camera with the fittings to
use on my telescope. The Camera is a Canon EOS 3000, I am wondering if
anyone here has used one on their scope before and can give me some
feedback
on it.



I don't have a Canon SLR, personally, but I do own a Cosina SLR 35mm SLR.

There are loads of options for fitting your camera to the scope, different
connections for different types of shot...
You've not mentioned what scope you have, so I'll give examples based on my
scope a Meade LX90 (8" SCT)

1. Piggy Back.

Mounted on a bracket on top the scope. You use the cameras normal lens to
take a wide field shot of the night sky. I've not tried this yet as I want
to buy an Equatorial Wedge to cancel out sky rotation. This type of setup
will turn the scope into a guide scope. The idea is that you track a
conveniant star, the camera then stays lined up has a chance to take a long
exposure shot. It can be done without the wedge (in AltAz mode) but you
need to keep the shots short (about 3 mins max, alledgedly) so that the
image doesn't get distorted.

2. Prime Focus.

You'll need a T-Ring (they cost about £10 from Jessops), then an adapter to
connect the camera directly to the scope Meade sell and adapter (#62) which
connects to the scope to the T-Ring, The effectively turns the scope into a
2000mm Telephoto lens. Ideal for taking a shot of the full moon, as it will
**** snugly into the frame. It's also useful for deep sky work, but
remember about the sky rotation when extending the exposure time.

3. Tele-Extender

This is like Prime Focus, only, this time you can put an eyepiece into the
tube, this allows the camera to take a photo through the eyepiece and get a
massive amount of magnification. This allows shots of planets, as they'd be
too small in prime focus.


4. Others

You can also get brackets which will hold the camera lens in front of the
eyepiece, these work like the Tele-Extender, but have the advantage that you
can line the scope up, then attach the camera focus (which is always a
challange) then shoot.


You should take a look at the ScopeTronix site as they have a wide selection
of adapters for cameras.

Regards

Colin
www.cjdawson.com

"Colin Dawson" wrote in message
...

"skozzy" wrote in message
. ..
I am looking at buying an entry level SLR type camera with the fittings
to
use on my telescope. The Camera is a Canon EOS 3000, I am wondering if
anyone here has used one on their scope before and can give me some
feedback
on it.



I don't have a Canon SLR, personally, but I do own a Cosina SLR 35mm SLR.

There are loads of options for fitting your camera to the scope, different
connections for different types of shot...
You've not mentioned what scope you have, so I'll give examples based on
my
scope a Meade LX90 (8" SCT)

1. Piggy Back.

Mounted on a bracket on top the scope. You use the cameras normal lens to
take a wide field shot of the night sky. I've not tried this yet as I
want
to buy an Equatorial Wedge to cancel out sky rotation. This type of setup
will turn the scope into a guide scope. The idea is that you track a
conveniant star, the camera then stays lined up has a chance to take a
long
exposure shot. It can be done without the wedge (in AltAz mode) but you
need to keep the shots short (about 3 mins max, alledgedly) so that the
image doesn't get distorted.

2. Prime Focus.

You'll need a T-Ring (they cost about £10 from Jessops), then an adapter
to
connect the camera directly to the scope Meade sell and adapter (#62)
which
connects to the scope to the T-Ring, The effectively turns the scope into
a
2000mm Telephoto lens. Ideal for taking a shot of the full moon, as it
will
**** snugly into the frame. It's also useful for deep sky work, but
remember about the sky rotation when extending the exposure time.

3. Tele-Extender

This is like Prime Focus, only, this time you can put an eyepiece into the
tube, this allows the camera to take a photo through the eyepiece and get
a
massive amount of magnification. This allows shots of planets, as they'd
be
too small in prime focus.


4. Others

You can also get brackets which will hold the camera lens in front of the
eyepiece, these work like the Tele-Extender, but have the advantage that
you
can line the scope up, then attach the camera focus (which is always a
challange) then shoot.


You should take a look at the ScopeTronix site as they have a wide
selection
of adapters for cameras.

Regards

Colin
www.cjdawson.com



Ok, well I have a Skywatcher reflector 900mmx114mm, I was looking at just
fitting the camera to the eye peice. I got prices for the adaptor and manual
shutter remote control. And the scope has a motorised mount for tracking the
sky. I am interested in taking long exposure shots and hopefully planets.
Well anything realy.

The Canon EOS 3000 has an electronic shutter, hence, it probably uses the
battery to hold the shutter open in the bulb position. This will run your
battery down pretty quick. Also, I don't think it has a mirror lockup
feature so you have to hold a hat in front of the lens when you open the
shutter in bulb, wait for the vibration to stop then remove the hat. I
suggest you read http://www.covingtoninnovations.com/astro/cameras.html


"skozzy" wrote in message
. ..
I am looking at buying an entry level SLR type camera with the fittings to
use on my telescope. The Camera is a Canon EOS 3000, I am wondering if
anyone here has used one on their scope before and can give me some
feedback
on it.