astrophotography questions

[photographer reborn]

Hey all, I've got some pretty basic astrophotography setup
questions that I can't find any good web source for, so I was
helping somebody could help me out.

I've got a Meade DS 114 telescope (F=910mm, f8) that I'd like to
attach my DL to, but other than knowing that I need a T-Mount
adapter, I have no idea what I need. Unfortunately, the scope is
back in Pennsylvania in storage at my family's house, and I won't
be able to dig it out till this weekend, so I can't answer any too
specific questions about it. Does anybody have any experience with
astrophotography that can point me in the right direction?

Thanks all.

Hello.

I'm not sure if this can help you...

I have a Celestron C8, but it is really different than your Meade. Yes, you need a T-adapter and a T-ring. Every manufacturer use to offer some astrophotographer's kit with the T-adapter. The T-ring for Pentax K is easy to find in a photo store. Meade has kits with the T-adapter but I'm not sure if they have an adapter for the 114. Maybe you can write to Meade and ask.

I my case, Celestron has two T-adapters for my C8 that works (for 1.25" eyepieces). A T-adapter is a "tube" that has two extremes. One is attached to the eyepiece adapter and the other extreme has a thread (named 'M42') where you screw the T-ring. The other side of the T-ring is K-mount compatible so you can attach it to your camera.

Maybe this page can be useful ( http://www.scopetronix.com/ ). They sell a lot of adapters and eyepieces for telescopes. If your eyepiece is 0.95" this can be a problem, but maybe you can buy a 0.95" to 1.25" adapter.

Other possible set up is to put your camera (with a big tele) above your telescope, attached with a Piggyback mount. You use the telescope for guiding and your camera and tele lens for getting pics.

http://www.celestron.com/c2/product.php?CatID=33&ProdID=222

http://www.celestron.com/c2/product.php?CatID=50&ProdID=355

Regards,

--
Matt Paden

--
Javier.

 

[Ae7flux]

.... since it seems to be a minor point of confusion in this thread and elsewhere. M42 is the Pratika/Pentax screw thread (41mm x 1mm). T-mounts are 42mm x 0 .75mm. You can attach the two, but only if you breaking things.
--

 

[Thomas Williams]

It's sort of like cross threading! It will start and then jam. After that niether piece will be useable. Don't try it.....
--
Tom, http://tswill2.smugmug.com/
A photograph is usually looked at - seldom looked into.
Ansel Adams

 

[photographer reborn]

.... since it seems to be a minor point of confusion in this thread
and elsewhere. M42 is the Pratika/Pentax screw thread (41mm x 1mm).
T-mounts are 42mm x 0 .75mm. You can attach the two, but only if
you breaking things.

Sorry for the mistake . I was quite sure about the name of the thread but...

--
Javier.