Astrophotography with Celestron 130eq Astromaster?

[jamesdgessel]

Hey guys!

I was recently given an astromaster 130 eq telescope, and it is absolutely awesome. I immediately ordered a t-ring and adapter for my 5d MKiii. The telescope itself is awesome, but I have been having a lot of trouble with the camera combination.

Issues:

-Can't focus really at all, except for something around 30 feet away (ex. not on mountains or moon, but on trees in yard.)

-Extremely noisy images, would be totally unusable as a standalone image (though I plan on stacking planetary images, I would like to get something of the moon at time.)

I know that the 130eq isn't the best telescope for astrophotography, but I am working with what I have. Im not worried about sky tracking, mostly just image quality. Lets focus on the moon. I have thought of a few things it might be, though I wanted to ask if anyone else has had any experience with this?

Possible solutions

-I believe the telescope is made to work with little t mount eyepiece lenses that are between 9mm and 20mm though Im sure that is expandable. However, since the t mount adapter has no magnification, I am wondering if that is an issue, and would solve something? Any idea what kind of piece I could get?

-also have heard of webcam image stacking with telescopes. Can anyone tell me a good setup?

Thanks a lot guys! Cheers!

 

[kiwi2]

Since you can't reach focus, I would guess you need an extension tube like one of these sets here...

https://www.telescopeadapters.com/26-extension-tubes

By all means start experimenting and see what you come up with. The Moon always makes a nice easy bright object to start on so you can start getting your technique a bit more nailed down. With this kind of photography, you learn just as much through your failures as well as with any successes.

 

[FrancoD]

Take a look at this video :

 

[kiwi2]

Take a look at this video :

Ah, newtonians have an inside focus problem.

I usually use refractors that have outside focus problems and needed extension tubes.

 

[FrancoD]

Take a look at this video :

Ah, newtonians have an inside focus problem.

I usually use refractors that have outside focus problems and needed extension tubes.

Yes a bit tricky with Newtonians. I did not watch the video (!) , just skipped through and it looked right to me, but some use web cams or simply a projection set up (for the OP :using the eyepieces instead of prime focus)

 

[jamesdgessel]

Great video, the only thing Im not sure of now, is what kind of a barlow lens to buy? Do I want a 2x or a 5x or something totally different? Thanks again guys this is great!

 

[FrancoD]

The lower magnification (2x) would be easier and more useful also for viewing.

The commonest mistake people make with telescopes is to get the highest magnifications possible.

(just my opinion...)

 

[GFamily]

Celestron sell a 2x Barlow which is combined with a T-Adapter. For visual imaging, you can use the Barlow to increase the magnification of your current eyepieces.

The Barlow lens changes the optics so that, with your camera attached to the t-threads, you may be able to get focus in your existing focuser.

A (more expensive) alternative is to get a low profile focuser, which should allow you to get your camera sensor into the right position for imaging, but it's a lot of expense and not necessarily worth it for your current mount.

ETA - if you then get a different telescope, you can also remove the barlow lens element (it unscrews) and the adapter lets you fit the 1.25" barrel into the focuser to hold the camera in place for less magnification.

 

[RustierOne]

1. Hey guys!

I was recently given an astromaster 130 eq telescope, and it is absolutely awesome. I immediately ordered a t-ring and adapter for my 5d MKiii. The telescope itself is awesome, but I have been having a lot of trouble with the camera combination.

Issues:

-Can't focus really at all, except for something around 30 feet away (ex. not on mountains or moon, but on trees in yard.)

-Extremely noisy images, would be totally unusable as a standalone image (though I plan on stacking planetary images, I would like to get something of the moon at time.)

I know that the 130eq isn't the best telescope for astrophotography, but I am working with what I have. Im not worried about sky tracking, mostly just image quality. Lets focus on the moon. I have thought of a few things it might be, though I wanted to ask if anyone else has had any experience with this?

Possible solutions

-I believe the telescope is made to work with little t mount eyepiece lenses that are between 9mm and 20mm though Im sure that is expandable. However, since the t mount adapter has no magnification, I am wondering if that is an issue, and would solve something? Any idea what kind of piece I could get?

-also have heard of webcam image stacking with telescopes. Can anyone tell me a good setup?

Thanks a lot guys! Cheers!

Lots of good comments have been given. Since you can't focus on infinity, but only near objects, your focal plane is too far in. This a common problem with Newtonian telescopes. Your options are:

1. Insert a 2X Barlow in the imaging path.
2. Acquire the hardware for eyepiece projection, which will extend a highly magnified focal plane outward to the camera sensor. This would be useful for planets.
3. Get a low profile focuser.
4. Reposition the primary mirror cell forward in the tube to move the focal plane outward.

I would do #1 first as the least expensive path. Work with the Moon first as it is much less challenging compared to the planets. If you want to try #2 go to Telescopeadapters.com for a good source of information and hardware.

Method #3 might not be enough to reach focus depending on your camera.

Method #4 is a last option, requiring some careful planning to get the focal plane in the right position.

Finally search this forum for Astrophotograhy Resources - Index 2015. Then navigate to the Lunar Planetary section. You'll find some useful information there.

I hope you are successful in your efforts, James!

--
Best Regards,
Russ

 

[jamesdgessel]

Awesome, thank you guys so much. I am looking now on amazon for a 2x Barlow, Ill try that one first. Ill let everyone know how it goes in case anyone has the same problem!

Thanks again, cheers and clear skies!

 

[JimH123]

Hey guys!

I was recently given an astromaster 130 eq telescope, and it is absolutely awesome. I immediately ordered a t-ring and adapter for my 5d MKiii. The telescope itself is awesome, but I have been having a lot of trouble with the camera combination.

Issues:

-Can't focus really at all, except for something around 30 feet away (ex. not on mountains or moon, but on trees in yard.)

-Extremely noisy images, would be totally unusable as a standalone image (though I plan on stacking planetary images, I would like to get something of the moon at time.)

I know that the 130eq isn't the best telescope for astrophotography, but I am working with what I have. Im not worried about sky tracking, mostly just image quality. Lets focus on the moon. I have thought of a few things it might be, though I wanted to ask if anyone else has had any experience with this?

Possible solutions

-I believe the telescope is made to work with little t mount eyepiece lenses that are between 9mm and 20mm though Im sure that is expandable. However, since the t mount adapter has no magnification, I am wondering if that is an issue, and would solve something? Any idea what kind of piece I could get?

-also have heard of webcam image stacking with telescopes. Can anyone tell me a good setup?

Thanks a lot guys! Cheers!

You haven't gotten the correct answer yet. Since you can only focus around 30 feet away, the problem is that you can't get the camera close enough to focus. An extender tube is the wrong direction and would only make it worse.

Inexpensive scopes like this one are not designed with the idea of using a camera in prime focus. The reason for this is that the scope does not provide sufficient back focus so that there is room for a camera to work with it. Even with a mirrorless camera, it won't be able to get close enough for infinity focus.

It might be possible to use a Barlow lens to extend the focal point out to where it might work. But a 2X Barlow lens is like a 2X teleconverter and it makes the scope have a 2X longer focal length and also 1/4 the amount of light. Because of this, I don't really like to use them.

There is one other solution, and that is called digiscoping (google it) where the eyepiece is used and the camera is held in place above the eyepiece. It is actually an inferior way to attach a telescope and the IQ won't be that great. For a scope like this along with its lightweight mount, a light weight point and shoot or cell phone camera might be best.

Have fun.

 

[FrancoD]

Hey guys!

I was recently given an astromaster 130 eq telescope, and it is absolutely awesome. I immediately ordered a t-ring and adapter for my 5d MKiii. The telescope itself is awesome, but I have been having a lot of trouble with the camera combination.

Issues:

-Can't focus really at all, except for something around 30 feet away (ex. not on mountains or moon, but on trees in yard.)

-Extremely noisy images, would be totally unusable as a standalone image (though I plan on stacking planetary images, I would like to get something of the moon at time.)

I know that the 130eq isn't the best telescope for astrophotography, but I am working with what I have. Im not worried about sky tracking, mostly just image quality. Lets focus on the moon. I have thought of a few things it might be, though I wanted to ask if anyone else has had any experience with this?

Possible solutions

-I believe the telescope is made to work with little t mount eyepiece lenses that are between 9mm and 20mm though Im sure that is expandable. However, since the t mount adapter has no magnification, I am wondering if that is an issue, and would solve something? Any idea what kind of piece I could get?

-also have heard of webcam image stacking with telescopes. Can anyone tell me a good setup?

Thanks a lot guys! Cheers!

You haven't gotten the correct answer yet. Since you can only focus around 30 feet away, the problem is that you can't get the camera close enough to focus. An extender tube is the wrong direction and would only make it worse.

Inexpensive scopes like this one are not designed with the idea of using a camera in prime focus. The reason for this is that the scope does not provide sufficient back focus so that there is room for a camera to work with it. Even with a mirrorless camera, it won't be able to get close enough for infinity focus.

It might be possible to use a Barlow lens to extend the focal point out to where it might work. But a 2X Barlow lens is like a 2X teleconverter and it makes the scope have a 2X longer focal length and also 1/4 the amount of light. Because of this, I don't really like to use them.

There is one other solution, and that is called digiscoping (google it) where the eyepiece is used and the camera is held in place above the eyepiece. It is actually an inferior way to attach a telescope and the IQ won't be that great. For a scope like this along with its lightweight mount, a light weight point and shoot or cell phone camera might be best.

Have fun.

You haven't read the answers provided nor of course looked at the video clip I linked to.

If you had, you would have discovered that eyepiece projection (digiscoping) has been mentioned at least 3 times (it's in the video too at about 6 minutes...) and the Barlow lens solution has also been discussed and it is in the video as well.

The video also explains the other 2 possible solutions.

BTW, digiscoping primarely is the term used for a digital camera with a spotting scope not a telescope.

 

[Tristimulus]

Hey guys!

I was recently given an astromaster 130 eq telescope, and it is absolutely awesome. I immediately ordered a t-ring and adapter for my 5d MKiii. The telescope itself is awesome, but I have been having a lot of trouble with the camera combination.

Issues:

-Can't focus really at all, except for something around 30 feet away (ex. not on mountains or moon, but on trees in yard.)

-Extremely noisy images, would be totally unusable as a standalone image (though I plan on stacking planetary images, I would like to get something of the moon at time.)

I know that the 130eq isn't the best telescope for astrophotography, but I am working with what I have. Im not worried about sky tracking, mostly just image quality. Lets focus on the moon. I have thought of a few things it might be, though I wanted to ask if anyone else has had any experience with this?

Possible solutions

-I believe the telescope is made to work with little t mount eyepiece lenses that are between 9mm and 20mm though Im sure that is expandable. However, since the t mount adapter has no magnification, I am wondering if that is an issue, and would solve something? Any idea what kind of piece I could get?

-also have heard of webcam image stacking with telescopes. Can anyone tell me a good setup?

Thanks a lot guys! Cheers!

You haven't gotten the correct answer yet. Since you can only focus around 30 feet away, the problem is that you can't get the camera close enough to focus. An extender tube is the wrong direction and would only make it worse.

Inexpensive scopes like this one are not designed with the idea of using a camera in prime focus. The reason for this is that the scope does not provide sufficient back focus so that there is room for a camera to work with it. Even with a mirrorless camera, it won't be able to get close enough for infinity focus.

It might be possible to use a Barlow lens to extend the focal point out to where it might work. But a 2X Barlow lens is like a 2X teleconverter and it makes the scope have a 2X longer focal length and also 1/4 the amount of light. Because of this, I don't really like to use them.

There is one other solution, and that is called digiscoping (google it) where the eyepiece is used and the camera is held in place above the eyepiece. It is actually an inferior way to attach a telescope and the IQ won't be that great. For a scope like this along with its lightweight mount, a light weight point and shoot or cell phone camera might be best.

Have fun.

You haven't read the answers provided nor of course looked at the video clip I linked to.

If you had, you would have discovered that eyepiece projection (digiscoping) has been mentioned at least 3 times (it's in the video too at about 6 minutes...) and the Barlow lens solution has also been discussed and it is in the video as well.

Digiscoping is afocal photography - put a camera with lens behind the eyepiece. Works best with compact cameras and not so well with larger inage sensors.

Eyepiece projection is putting the camera body without lens behind the eyepiece to project the image - much like old fashioned slide projectors.

Negative amplification - using a barlow lens - is yet another method.

The video also explains the other 2 possible solutions.

BTW, digiscoping primarely is the term used for a digital camera with a spotting scope not a telescope.

Guess the telescope mentioned is not the best one for astrophotography.

 

[FrancoD]

Digiscoping is afocal photography - put a camera with lens behind the eyepiece. Works best with compact cameras and not so well with larger inage sensors.



Yes, I forgot that "camera WITH lens" bit..

It was mentioned in that video I linked to.

I sold spotting scopes , mostly Kowa, with tube/mount adaptors to do digiscoping , I can't remember now what cameras folk used then.

 

[rocket9244]

I cut about 6 inches off of the back of my OTA. it works perfect. but then you need an extender so the eyepieces reach focus. those are only like $10.00 or get a piece of PVC pipe. thats what i did. cost $2.00