Recommendations for astrophotography setup

Thought I would start a new thread about this since it got sorta buried in another posting.I am going to try some of this astrophotography for the first time. I just got my daughter a bushnell telescope. Here is the setup I presently have:

A 3030,CLA-1,43-55 step up ring. I propose using the CLA-1> 43-49 step up ring> 49 to T-ring adapter> Eyepiece projection camera adapter (1.25 inch). Will this setup A: give me clearance for the lens B: give me good results with pictures. I am a newbie at this any suggestions with some economy in mind will be appreciated.

The telescope comes with a 20mm lens and a 3x Barlow lens. Thinking of adding a 40mm once we figure out how the other stuff works.

Tony

Hi Tony, prehaps I can help. The E-10'ers seem to have taken over recent threads, so its good to see a "real" trooper back I also have a C3030, so I can relate to your concern. You can also visit my web to get some peaks of my stuff: http://www.oeonline.com/~chiron/astro.html

I don't know how long you've had the Bushnell, but if it is new, I would not recommend this telescope. For the same money, you would be a happier camper (and do better photowise) with a 90mm Meade ETX. That said, let's make due with what you have. First, for that type of telescope, they give you bad stuff (a teaser for beginners like you), as for your type of telescope, a 3x Barlow is worthless (A 2x is the max for this scope). The C3030 must be coupled to the telescope in an mode, meaning the eyepiece will be in place. Your task is to focus the telescope on an image, then find a way to hold the camera up to the eyepiece (camera virtually replacing your eye), then take the picture. Some have actually hand-held the camera up to the eyepiece, then use the remote control to fire the shutter. The moon is a good target to start with. Tony there is a lot to this, so you need to do more homework. This is a very interesting and enlightening for the whole family. A telescope can open up a whole new window of adventure, and I would spare no expense to get the best you can afford at the very start (e.g. If you spend $1000 for a camera, your telescope should cost 2 or 3x as much, because a good telescope will last a lifetime, while a digital camera has a computer life of 2 to 3 years) Here are a few sites to help you get started:
http://www.scopetronix.com
http://nav.webring.yahoo.com/hub?ring=etx&id=21&next5

Ciao...Barry

Tony Carro said:

Thought I would start a new thread about this since it got sorta
buried in another posting.I am going to try some of this
astrophotography for the first time. I just got my daughter a
bushnell telescope. Here is the setup I presently have:

A 3030,CLA-1,43-55 step up ring. I propose using the CLA-1> 43-49
step up ring> 49 to T-ring adapter> Eyepiece projection camera
adapter (1.25 inch). Will this setup A: give me clearance for the
lens B: give me good results with pictures. I am a newbie at this
any suggestions with some economy in mind will be appreciated.

The telescope comes with a 20mm lens and a 3x Barlow lens.
Thinking of adding a 40mm once we figure out how the other stuff
works.

Tony

Click to expand...

So Barry,

I was looking at the different models of 60,70,80,90. I realize that the 60 is less than half the power of the ninety. It is also about half the price. Is a good compromise the 80? Btw do you have any opinion on the original question about the 3030 setup to hook it up to a scope? Thanx..... for the sites

Barry Carter said:

I don't know how long you've had the Bushnell, but if it is new, I
would not recommend this telescope. For the same money, you would
be a happier camper (and do better photowise) with a 90mm Meade
ETX. That said, let's make due with what you have. First, for
that type of telescope, they give you bad stuff (a teaser for
beginners like you), as for your type of telescope, a 3x Barlow is
worthless (A 2x is the max for this scope). The C3030 must be
coupled to the telescope in an mode, meaning the eyepiece
will be in place. Your task is to focus the telescope on an image,
then find a way to hold the camera up to the eyepiece (camera
virtually replacing your eye), then take the picture. Some have
actually hand-held the camera up to the eyepiece, then use the
remote control to fire the shutter. The moon is a good target to
start with. Tony there is a lot to this, so you need to do more
homework. This is a very interesting and enlightening for the whole
family. A telescope can open up a whole new window of adventure,
and I would spare no expense to get the best you can afford at the
very start (e.g. If you spend $1000 for a camera, your telescope
should cost 2 or 3x as much, because a good telescope will last a
lifetime, while a digital camera has a computer life of 2 to 3
years) Here are a few sites to help you get started:
http://www.scopetronix.com
http://nav.webring.yahoo.com/hub?ring=etx&id=21&next5

Ciao...Barry

Tony Carro said:

Thought I would start a new thread about this since it got sorta
buried in another posting.I am going to try some of this
astrophotography for the first time. I just got my daughter a
bushnell telescope. Here is the setup I presently have:

A 3030,CLA-1,43-55 step up ring. I propose using the CLA-1> 43-49
step up ring> 49 to T-ring adapter> Eyepiece projection camera
adapter (1.25 inch). Will this setup A: give me clearance for the
lens B: give me good results with pictures. I am a newbie at this
any suggestions with some economy in mind will be appreciated.

The telescope comes with a 20mm lens and a 3x Barlow lens.
Thinking of adding a 40mm once we figure out how the other stuff
works.

Tony

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Tony Carro said:

So Barry,
I was looking at the different models of 60,70,80,90. I realize
that the 60 is less than half the power of the ninety. It is also
about half the price.

Click to expand...

...Tony,

...if you consider the Meades, try msn.com, go to shopping, click on 20% off holiday deal...go through Photoalley...(be sure to use MSNPassport at checkout)...they have the scopes in stock, and free shipping...ETX90EC should be $477 when you're done...not sure how long the MSNPassport discount will run...was supposed to be through 12/22, but I also saw somewhere that it may end 11/24.

...Photoalley also has a $100 off orders over $600 discount at times...it's a killer if you can get both, as others were last week...
...anyways, FWIW...and good luck,
newby

Is a good compromise the 80? Btw do you

Tony the Tiger said:

have any opinion on the original question about the 3030 setup to
hook it up to a scope? Thanx..... for the sites

Barry Carter said:

I don't know how long you've had the Bushnell, but if it is new, I
would not recommend this telescope. For the same money, you would
be a happier camper (and do better photowise) with a 90mm Meade
ETX. That said, let's make due with what you have. First, for
that type of telescope, they give you bad stuff (a teaser for
beginners like you), as for your type of telescope, a 3x Barlow is
worthless (A 2x is the max for this scope). The C3030 must be
coupled to the telescope in an mode, meaning the eyepiece
will be in place. Your task is to focus the telescope on an image,
then find a way to hold the camera up to the eyepiece (camera
virtually replacing your eye), then take the picture. Some have
actually hand-held the camera up to the eyepiece, then use the
remote control to fire the shutter. The moon is a good target to
start with. Tony there is a lot to this, so you need to do more
homework. This is a very interesting and enlightening for the whole
family. A telescope can open up a whole new window of adventure,
and I would spare no expense to get the best you can afford at the
very start (e.g. If you spend $1000 for a camera, your telescope
should cost 2 or 3x as much, because a good telescope will last a
lifetime, while a digital camera has a computer life of 2 to 3
years) Here are a few sites to help you get started:
http://www.scopetronix.com
http://nav.webring.yahoo.com/hub?ring=etx&id=21&next5

Ciao...Barry

Tony Carro said:

Thought I would start a new thread about this since it got sorta
buried in another posting.I am going to try some of this
astrophotography for the first time. I just got my daughter a
bushnell telescope. Here is the setup I presently have:

A 3030,CLA-1,43-55 step up ring. I propose using the CLA-1> 43-49
step up ring> 49 to T-ring adapter> Eyepiece projection camera
adapter (1.25 inch). Will this setup A: give me clearance for the
lens B: give me good results with pictures. I am a newbie at this
any suggestions with some economy in mind will be appreciated.

The telescope comes with a 20mm lens and a 3x Barlow lens.
Thinking of adding a 40mm once we figure out how the other stuff
works.

Tony

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Well newb,

I took the lead and went ahead and got the etx90ec thru photoalley along with autostar thingy. Any other suggestions as far as hooking up the 3030 to the scope? Any other recommendations? Does this thing come with a 2x barlow? The 3030 is an awesome camera since we as a family dive it will go under the water with us and take pics of the heavens. Pretty exciting.
Tony

newby said:

Tony Carro said:

So Barry,
I was looking at the different models of 60,70,80,90. I realize
that the 60 is less than half the power of the ninety. It is also
about half the price.

Click to expand...

...Tony,
...if you consider the Meades, try msn.com, go to shopping, click
on 20% off holiday deal...go through Photoalley...(be sure to use
MSNPassport at checkout)...they have the scopes in stock, and free
shipping...ETX90EC should be $477 when you're done...not sure how
long the MSNPassport discount will run...was supposed to be through
12/22, but I also saw somewhere that it may end 11/24.
...Photoalley also has a $100 off orders over $600 discount at
times...it's a killer if you can get both, as others were last
week...
...anyways, FWIW...and good luck,
newby

Is a good compromise the 80? Btw do you

Member said:

have any opinion on the original question about the 3030 setup to
hook it up to a scope? Thanx..... for the sites

Barry Carter said:

I don't know how long you've had the Bushnell, but if it is new, I
would not recommend this telescope. For the same money, you would
be a happier camper (and do better photowise) with a 90mm Meade
ETX. That said, let's make due with what you have. First, for
that type of telescope, they give you bad stuff (a teaser for
beginners like you), as for your type of telescope, a 3x Barlow is
worthless (A 2x is the max for this scope). The C3030 must be
coupled to the telescope in an mode, meaning the eyepiece
will be in place. Your task is to focus the telescope on an image,
then find a way to hold the camera up to the eyepiece (camera
virtually replacing your eye), then take the picture. Some have
actually hand-held the camera up to the eyepiece, then use the
remote control to fire the shutter. The moon is a good target to
start with. Tony there is a lot to this, so you need to do more
homework. This is a very interesting and enlightening for the whole
family. A telescope can open up a whole new window of adventure,
and I would spare no expense to get the best you can afford at the
very start (e.g. If you spend $1000 for a camera, your telescope
should cost 2 or 3x as much, because a good telescope will last a
lifetime, while a digital camera has a computer life of 2 to 3
years) Here are a few sites to help you get started:
http://www.scopetronix.com
http://nav.webring.yahoo.com/hub?ring=etx&id=21&next5

Ciao...Barry

Tony Carro said:

Thought I would start a new thread about this since it got sorta
buried in another posting.I am going to try some of this
astrophotography for the first time. I just got my daughter a
bushnell telescope. Here is the setup I presently have:

A 3030,CLA-1,43-55 step up ring. I propose using the CLA-1> 43-49
step up ring> 49 to T-ring adapter> Eyepiece projection camera
adapter (1.25 inch). Will this setup A: give me clearance for the
lens B: give me good results with pictures. I am a newbie at this
any suggestions with some economy in mind will be appreciated.

The telescope comes with a 20mm lens and a 3x Barlow lens.
Thinking of adding a 40mm once we figure out how the other stuff
works.

Tony

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Tony Carro said:

Well newb,

I took the lead and went ahead and got the etx90ec thru photoalley
along with autostar thingy. Any other suggestions as far as
hooking up the 3030 to the scope? Any other recommendations? Does
this thing come with a 2x barlow? The 3030 is an awesome camera
since we as a family dive it will go under the water with us and
take pics of the heavens. Pretty exciting.
Tony

Click to expand...

...congratulations, Tony!

...I have the ETX90EC, and a C2020Z...however, I've been up to my bu** in alligators, and haven't been able to play much lately...here's an awesome site you can peruse while you're awaiting delivery... for info on the ETX and all sorts of valuable stuff... http://www.weasner.com/etx/menu.html

...Barry Carter is THE MAN on this stuff, and has been of tremendous help to many of us...I'm sure he'll catch up with your posts.

...no Barlow in the box...Barry recommended the Celestron Ultima 1.25 2X Barlow...get it from ehobbies.com, and use the code EVGUIDE for 10% off...this is also an MSN Passport site, but with the 20% gift certificate offer...gotta go mutilate our turkey now...I'm sure we'll talk again...
...have fun, and a nice Holiday,
newby

Tony the Tiger said:

newby said:

Tony Carro said:

So Barry,
I was looking at the different models of 60,70,80,90. I realize
that the 60 is less than half the power of the ninety. It is also
about half the price.

Click to expand...

...Tony,
...if you consider the Meades, try msn.com, go to shopping, click
on 20% off holiday deal...go through Photoalley...(be sure to use
MSNPassport at checkout)...they have the scopes in stock, and free
shipping...ETX90EC should be $477 when you're done...not sure how
long the MSNPassport discount will run...was supposed to be through
12/22, but I also saw somewhere that it may end 11/24.
...Photoalley also has a $100 off orders over $600 discount at
times...it's a killer if you can get both, as others were last
week...
...anyways, FWIW...and good luck,
newby

Is a good compromise the 80? Btw do you

Tony the Tiger said:

have any opinion on the original question about the 3030 setup to
hook it up to a scope? Thanx..... for the sites

Barry Carter said:

I don't know how long you've had the Bushnell, but if it is new, I
would not recommend this telescope. For the same money, you would
be a happier camper (and do better photowise) with a 90mm Meade
ETX. That said, let's make due with what you have. First, for
that type of telescope, they give you bad stuff (a teaser for
beginners like you), as for your type of telescope, a 3x Barlow is
worthless (A 2x is the max for this scope). The C3030 must be
coupled to the telescope in an mode, meaning the eyepiece
will be in place. Your task is to focus the telescope on an image,
then find a way to hold the camera up to the eyepiece (camera
virtually replacing your eye), then take the picture. Some have
actually hand-held the camera up to the eyepiece, then use the
remote control to fire the shutter. The moon is a good target to
start with. Tony there is a lot to this, so you need to do more
homework. This is a very interesting and enlightening for the whole
family. A telescope can open up a whole new window of adventure,
and I would spare no expense to get the best you can afford at the
very start (e.g. If you spend $1000 for a camera, your telescope
should cost 2 or 3x as much, because a good telescope will last a
lifetime, while a digital camera has a computer life of 2 to 3
years) Here are a few sites to help you get started:
http://www.scopetronix.com
http://nav.webring.yahoo.com/hub?ring=etx&id=21&next5

Ciao...Barry

Tony Carro said:

Thought I would start a new thread about this since it got sorta
buried in another posting.I am going to try some of this
astrophotography for the first time. I just got my daughter a
bushnell telescope. Here is the setup I presently have:

A 3030,CLA-1,43-55 step up ring. I propose using the CLA-1> 43-49
step up ring> 49 to T-ring adapter> Eyepiece projection camera
adapter (1.25 inch). Will this setup A: give me clearance for the
lens B: give me good results with pictures. I am a newbie at this
any suggestions with some economy in mind will be appreciated.

The telescope comes with a 20mm lens and a 3x Barlow lens.
Thinking of adding a 40mm once we figure out how the other stuff
works.

Tony

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Wow, thanks for the kind words! You did the right thing getting the 90mm ETX. And no, the smaller apertures is NOT the direction to go. Always go forward; not backward! And the Ultima 2x Barlow is the deal; glad someone is paying attention You will have a plethora of support online for the ETX, and I am glad to point you in the right direction. Enjoy!

Member said:

...Barry Carter is THE MAN on this stuff, and has been of
tremendous help to many of us...I'm sure he'll catch up with your
posts.
...no Barlow in the box...Barry recommended the Celestron Ultima
1.25 2X Barlow...get it from ehobbies.com, and use the code EVGUIDE
for 10% off...this is also an MSN Passport site, but with the 20%
gift certificate offer...gotta go mutilate our turkey now...I'm
sure we'll talk again...
...have fun, and a nice Holiday,
newby

Click to expand...

Hi Guys:

This shot was taken with a Meade ETX90 motor driven, 26mm eyepiece (modified), a home made adapter and a Nikon 950 .I had to cut the top off the eyepiece to get the camera as cloce as possible to the eyepiece.I also use a 2X barlow sometimes.
Don.

Tony Carro said:

Thought I would start a new thread about this since it got sorta
buried in another posting.I am going to try some of this
astrophotography for the first time. I just got my daughter a
bushnell telescope. Here is the setup I presently have:

A 3030,CLA-1,43-55 step up ring. I propose using the CLA-1> 43-49
step up ring> 49 to T-ring adapter> Eyepiece projection camera
adapter (1.25 inch). Will this setup A: give me clearance for the
lens B: give me good results with pictures. I am a newbie at this
any suggestions with some economy in mind will be appreciated.

The telescope comes with a 20mm lens and a 3x Barlow lens.
Thinking of adding a 40mm once we figure out how the other stuff
works.

Tony

Click to expand...

thanx for the help guys. I just ordered the barlow and the laptop cable. I guess that is enuff stuff for now. I hate to tell the wife how much I have spent on our daughter's christmas present. She doesn't know anything about the scope. She and her boyfriend apparently joined an astronomy club at the Univ. of Kansas and have been going to the observatory. Her boyfriend was telling me how they have a meade up there and he stated how awesome it was. I hope we have some clear nights during the holidays. I will be checking in here for advice. Count on it. Especially when I go to take pics......

Barry Carter said:

Member said:

...Barry Carter is THE MAN on this stuff, and has been of
tremendous help to many of us...I'm sure he'll catch up with your
posts.
...no Barlow in the box...Barry recommended the Celestron Ultima
1.25 2X Barlow...get it from ehobbies.com, and use the code EVGUIDE
for 10% off...this is also an MSN Passport site, but with the 20%
gift certificate offer...gotta go mutilate our turkey now...I'm
sure we'll talk again...
...have fun, and a nice Holiday,
newby

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Don Schultz said:

Hi Guys:
This shot was taken with a Meade ETX90 motor driven, 26mm eyepiece
(modified), a home made adapter and a Nikon 950 .I had to cut the
top off the eyepiece to get the camera as cloce as possible to the
eyepiece.I also use a 2X barlow sometimes.
Don.

Click to expand...

...Hi Don...fantastic shot!...this is the second time I've seen something about modifying the eyepiece(Jim Kay-C2020Z&ETX90)...how are we cutting these down, how much, and isn't that scary?
...thanks for sharing,
newby

Don Schultz14603 said:

Tony Carro said:

Thought I would start a new thread about this since it got sorta
buried in another posting.I am going to try some of this
astrophotography for the first time. I just got my daughter a
bushnell telescope. Here is the setup I presently have:

A 3030,CLA-1,43-55 step up ring. I propose using the CLA-1> 43-49
step up ring> 49 to T-ring adapter> Eyepiece projection camera
adapter (1.25 inch). Will this setup A: give me clearance for the
lens B: give me good results with pictures. I am a newbie at this
any suggestions with some economy in mind will be appreciated.

The telescope comes with a 20mm lens and a 3x Barlow lens.
Thinking of adding a 40mm once we figure out how the other stuff
works.

Tony

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Hi Newby:

I just put tape over the lens and cut as close as I could with a hacksaw, then I filed it as close as I could without doing damage to the lens.If you don't get close,at least for the 950 you will get vignetting at 1/2 zoom.

I use this scope for birds and animals as well.see post.This shot was taken at 150 yards and cropped.
Don.

newby said:

Don Schultz said:

Hi Guys:
This shot was taken with a Meade ETX90 motor driven, 26mm eyepiece
(modified), a home made adapter and a Nikon 950 .I had to cut the
top off the eyepiece to get the camera as cloce as possible to the
eyepiece.I also use a 2X barlow sometimes.
Don.

Click to expand...

...Hi Don...fantastic shot!...this is the second time I've seen
something about modifying the eyepiece(Jim Kay-C2020Z&ETX90)...how
are we cutting these down, how much, and isn't that scary?
...thanks for sharing,
newby

Member said:

Tony Carro said:

Thought I would start a new thread about this since it got sorta
buried in another posting.I am going to try some of this
astrophotography for the first time. I just got my daughter a
bushnell telescope. Here is the setup I presently have:

A 3030,CLA-1,43-55 step up ring. I propose using the CLA-1> 43-49
step up ring> 49 to T-ring adapter> Eyepiece projection camera
adapter (1.25 inch). Will this setup A: give me clearance for the
lens B: give me good results with pictures. I am a newbie at this
any suggestions with some economy in mind will be appreciated.

The telescope comes with a 20mm lens and a 3x Barlow lens.
Thinking of adding a 40mm once we figure out how the other stuff
works.

Tony

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Donald Schultz said:

Hi Newby:
I just put tape over the lens and cut as close as I could with a
hacksaw, then I filed it as close as I could without doing damage
to the lens.If you don't get close,at least for the 950 you will
get vignetting at 1/2 zoom.
I use this scope for birds and animals as well.see post.This shot
was taken at 150 yards and cropped.
Don.

Click to expand...

...from the marsh to the moon....terrific!

...thanks for the info; if I can get all this stuff attached without botching something, I'll try the whole eyepiece first, then reluctantly try the modification...no guts here...
...thx again,
newby

Don Schultz14603 said:

newby said:

Don Schultz said:

Hi Guys:
This shot was taken with a Meade ETX90 motor driven, 26mm eyepiece
(modified), a home made adapter and a Nikon 950 .I had to cut the
top off the eyepiece to get the camera as cloce as possible to the
eyepiece.I also use a 2X barlow sometimes.
Don.

Click to expand...

...Hi Don...fantastic shot!...this is the second time I've seen
something about modifying the eyepiece(Jim Kay-C2020Z&ETX90)...how
are we cutting these down, how much, and isn't that scary?
...thanks for sharing,
newby

Don Schultz14603 said:

Tony Carro said:

Thought I would start a new thread about this since it got sorta
buried in another posting.I am going to try some of this
astrophotography for the first time. I just got my daughter a
bushnell telescope. Here is the setup I presently have:

A 3030,CLA-1,43-55 step up ring. I propose using the CLA-1> 43-49
step up ring> 49 to T-ring adapter> Eyepiece projection camera
adapter (1.25 inch). Will this setup A: give me clearance for the
lens B: give me good results with pictures. I am a newbie at this
any suggestions with some economy in mind will be appreciated.

The telescope comes with a 20mm lens and a 3x Barlow lens.
Thinking of adding a 40mm once we figure out how the other stuff
works.

Tony

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

In my experience, such drastic action is not necessary with Olympus digicam's. The most one would do is remove the eyelens shields or fold them down. First, one should start with good eyepieces that have a fairly large eyelens (> 10mm) and has good eye relief (> 15mm). Most "cheap" eyepiece's are not so kind. It's easy to determine the eye relief. Just hold the eyepiece up to your eye, moving it away until you can't see the whole field, then measure that distance from eyepiece to eye. Good eye relief means eyeglass wearers can see the whole field with glasses on. The cameras eye works the same way. Now, one added point for Olympus digicam owners who want to do astro-photography. I recommend the 41> 37mm tube, and the 37mm

Ciao...Barry

Donald Schultz said:

Hi Newby:
I just put tape over the lens and cut as close as I could with a
hacksaw, then I filed it as close as I could without doing damage
to the lens.If you don't get close,at least for the 950 you will
get vignetting at 1/2 zoom.
I use this scope for birds and animals as well.see post.This shot

Click to expand...

Hi Barry:
This wasn't a cheap eyepiece I cut down 26mm Plossl at around $100 US.
I did say that I was using a Nikon 950.
Don.

Barry Carter said:

Ciao...Barry

Donald Schultz said:

Hi Newby:
I just put tape over the lens and cut as close as I could with a
hacksaw, then I filed it as close as I could without doing damage
to the lens.If you don't get close,at least for the 950 you will
get vignetting at 1/2 zoom.
I use this scope for birds and animals as well.see post.This shot

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I plan to go from the abyss of the ocean to the stars with the 3030.

newby said:

Donald Schultz said:

Hi Newby:
I just put tape over the lens and cut as close as I could with a
hacksaw, then I filed it as close as I could without doing damage
to the lens.If you don't get close,at least for the 950 you will
get vignetting at 1/2 zoom.
I use this scope for birds and animals as well.see post.This shot
was taken at 150 yards and cropped.
Don.

Click to expand...

...from the marsh to the moon....terrific!
...thanks for the info; if I can get all this stuff attached
without botching something, I'll try the whole eyepiece first, then
reluctantly try the modification...no guts here...
...thx again,
newby

Member said:

newby said:

Don Schultz said:

Hi Guys:
This shot was taken with a Meade ETX90 motor driven, 26mm eyepiece
(modified), a home made adapter and a Nikon 950 .I had to cut the
top off the eyepiece to get the camera as cloce as possible to the
eyepiece.I also use a 2X barlow sometimes.
Don.

Click to expand...

...Hi Don...fantastic shot!...this is the second time I've seen
something about modifying the eyepiece(Jim Kay-C2020Z&ETX90)...how
are we cutting these down, how much, and isn't that scary?
...thanks for sharing,
newby

Member said:

Tony Carro said:

Thought I would start a new thread about this since it got sorta
buried in another posting.I am going to try some of this
astrophotography for the first time. I just got my daughter a
bushnell telescope. Here is the setup I presently have:

A 3030,CLA-1,43-55 step up ring. I propose using the CLA-1> 43-49
step up ring> 49 to T-ring adapter> Eyepiece projection camera
adapter (1.25 inch). Will this setup A: give me clearance for the
lens B: give me good results with pictures. I am a newbie at this
any suggestions with some economy in mind will be appreciated.

The telescope comes with a 20mm lens and a 3x Barlow lens.
Thinking of adding a 40mm once we figure out how the other stuff
works.

Tony

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Barry Carter said:

In my experience, such drastic action is not necessary with Olympus
digicam's. The most one would do is remove the eyelens shields or
fold them down. First, one should start with good eyepieces that
have a fairly large eyelens (> 10mm) and has good eye relief
(> 15mm). Most "cheap" eyepiece's are not so kind. It's easy to
determine the eye relief. Just hold the eyepiece up to your eye,
moving it away until you can't see the whole field, then measure
that distance from eyepiece to eye. Good eye relief means eyeglass
wearers can see the whole field with glasses on. The cameras eye
works the same way. Now, one added point for Olympus digicam
owners who want to do astro-photography. I recommend the 41> 37mm
tube, and the 37mm
combination, you can hook your camera up either using homemade PVC
couplers, or the Orion (telescope.com) adapters. Another option is
the Edmund telescope eyepiece mount #K52-303 (edmundoptics.com).
There is no hacksawing required with Olympus C2K-C3K camera's!

Ciao...Barry

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...whew!...thanks again, Barry...the thought of cutting into eyepieces gave me sweaty fingers...we'll see what the 2020 can do with unmodified pieces first...if I can get some decent weather...
newby

Member said:

Donald Schultz said:

Hi Newby:
I just put tape over the lens and cut as close as I could with a
hacksaw, then I filed it as close as I could without doing damage
to the lens.If you don't get close,at least for the 950 you will
get vignetting at 1/2 zoom.
I use this scope for birds and animals as well.see post.This shot

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Everybody says that for a-focal digital astro-photography, the Olympus 2000,2020,2040,3000,3030,3040 are most recommended. Has anybody tried the C-2100? Are there any reasons why the C-2100 would not be a good candidate for hooking up to a telescope? I figure one drawback would be its larger size might cause some problems depending on how much clearance there is around the eyepiece. If any one can think of reasons why the C-2100 (or E-100) would not be a good candidate for a-focal astro-photography, please let me know.

Thanks!!!

Barry Carter said:

Member said:

...Barry Carter is THE MAN on this stuff, and has been of
tremendous help to many of us...I'm sure he'll catch up with your
posts.
...no Barlow in the box...Barry recommended the Celestron Ultima
1.25 2X Barlow...get it from ehobbies.com, and use the code EVGUIDE
for 10% off...this is also an MSN Passport site, but with the 20%
gift certificate offer...gotta go mutilate our turkey now...I'm
sure we'll talk again...
...have fun, and a nice Holiday,
newby

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The C2020 is a most versatile camera, and is well suited to astro-photography. Why? Well the light weight, easy to hookup with accessory tube, fast lens, and lastly, the remote control; a Godsend for photography through a telescope. No matter how good your camera is, if you can't take a picture without even breathing on the telescope, then you got a problem, The Olympus' don't have that problem. I've operated my camera (C2000/C3030) in freezing weather with mittens on using the remote! Here are a few advanced amateur's putting the C2020 through its paces:
http://members.tripod.com/~ghonis/c2020zdeep.htm
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/stellar/scenes/english/intro.htm

Ciao..Barry

Member said:

...whew!...thanks again, Barry...the thought of cutting into
eyepieces gave me sweaty fingers...we'll see what the 2020 can do
with unmodified pieces first...if I can get some decent weather...
newby

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Jeff Prideaux said:

Everybody says that for a-focal digital astro-photography, the
Olympus 2000,2020,2040,3000,3030,3040 are most recommended. Has
anybody tried the C-2100? Are there any reasons why the C-2100
would not be a good candidate for hooking up to a telescope? I
figure one drawback would be its larger size might cause some
problems depending on how much clearance there is around the
eyepiece. If any one can think of reasons why the C-2100 (or
E-100) would not be a good candidate for a-focal astro-photography,
please let me know.

Thanks!!!

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Jeff,

I have the same concern since I'm gonna get the C-2100 to upgrage from the S-10. I had a great success in taking astrophotography with the S-10/ETX-90,and I found that the compact size of the S-10 made it easy.

For planetary shots,a digi cam will do a good job,but I was advised that it wouldn't be possible to do deep sky astrophotography with the digi cam. You'll need a CCD imager and a bigger scope=more money. I was disappointed so I haven't looked at the sky for a while.

This shot is a composite image of two shots. Since I couldn't take two subjects in the same field of view,I took two separate shots.

I believe the C-2020,3030...will do a better job.

Hide

Jeff, I hate to bust your bubble, but the C2100 is not a very good choice for attaching to a telescope. I am not even sure why Olympus made this camera, but that is another story, as the E-series has kinda put a curse on it. But back to the issue. First, in afocal photography, the faster the camera lens, the better. And ideally, you would like to have a fast camera with no zoom, as the telescope eyepiece (w/o Barlow) is the govening magnifying device. With the C2K-C3K's, the zoom is used only to reduce the angle of view to minimize vignetting. With the 2100, I can envision severe vignetting at all focal length ranges. At full zoom, it looks like the vignetting would be caused by the long distance the image would have to travel via that long lens extension. Next drawback is the Manual focus mode (is there any?). Next, is weight. Weight is a very important issue, and the C2100 weighs 40% more than the C2020. Now hooked up to a telescope, that much additional weight compounds your hookup and balancing problems; and since we have a cantilever situation, their is added strain on other components as well. Finally, I thought the people bought these cameras so they would not have to buy lense add-on's, Eagle Eye's, etc. And I repeat my statement the 35-105mm is the most used (95%)range. That is why having a more versatile camera, that you can add to, or subtract from, is the way to go; rather than be stuck with a camera that is not as transportable. It's very interesting that only Olympus is coming out with these "strange" camera's, while their chief rival's (Canon, Nikon), are doing the "right" thing; that is, SLR, interchangeable. That is why I think Olympus is just putting these camera out as "Bait", as the real deal is yet to be announced IMO.

Ciao....Barry

Jeff Prideaux said:

Everybody says that for a-focal digital astro-photography, the
Olympus 2000,2020,2040,3000,3030,3040 are most recommended. Has
anybody tried the C-2100? Are there any reasons why the C-2100
would not be a good candidate for hooking up to a telescope? I
figure one drawback would be its larger size might cause some
problems depending on how much clearance there is around the
eyepiece. If any one can think of reasons why the C-2100 (or
E-100) would not be a good candidate for a-focal astro-photography,
please let me know.

Thanks!!!

Barry Carter wrote:

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