Digital camera astro photos

Hope I am on the right track here. Details are as follows.
10" f5.6 homemade Dob.
JMI 2" focuser
Digital Rebel XT Slr camera
T-mount camera adapter
Televue 2" focuser - t-mount adapter

Scope has performed great visually.
With camera mounted, the focuser racks all the way in and focus is clear at about 200'. All else is blurry.

Questions are, due I need to move the mirror or can I get some type of focal extender, as I think the camera body can't get close enough to the focal point. No eye pcs are being used, although I do want to go that route down the road. Think this camera will be very useful as I took the attached with just a 300mm telephoto lens with a little enhancement and a shaky tripod. Thanks, Jim

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Hi there

I cant remember all the technical details as to why, but I had the same problem with my F/5 reflector using a webcam. You can't get focus.

I now use a Mak-Cas telescope and the results are great.

Sorry not solving your problem but just thought I'd let you know you are not alone

Attached are photos I took last night using a very cheap webcam.

Regards
Douw
Johannesburg ZA

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Hi:

If you are lucky, you can use the collimation bolts to move the mirror forward. Care is necessary to make sure there is enough thread engaged so the you don't drop the mirror. You may also replace the existing bolts with longer ones.

Since you will normally want more magnification than is possible at prime focus, you may want to skip that step and move ahead to eyepiece projection and/or afocal.

One technique that works surprisingly well is simply to hold the camera up to the eyepiece, focusing the eyepiece first.

I attached a photo of the moon I took with my 10 inch Guan Sheng DOB and a Cool Pix 4500. I believe this was done hand held.

Taking photos of the moon is great fun with a DOB but unless you get some sort of a drive, the moon is about all there is..

JOn

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