I can't get the camera in focus on the telescope.
I have a Canon Digital Rebel connected with the Sopetronix adapter to the 10 inch LX200R. The only way to see what you photograph is through the viewfinder. It is so small it is nearly impossible to tell how focused the image is.
Anyone have suggestions? Would a Hartman Mask help??
Here is a photo I took last night of the Orion nebula.
ISO 800, 30 second shot:

orion nebula.jpg

try focusing on the moon or a star, set ur setting for wide angle if u can set up for slow shutter if u have it,,, and longer exposer and do a few of them
don t know the max you have on there but the longer the better
and download registax and stack them.

good luck

__________________
SK MAK102EQ2
SKP2001HEQ5
legitech pro 4000
dimage g600
ozzmozizz web page

Hi Larkspur. I have a scoptronix adapter for my sony. I started out shooting the Moon using a 40mm lens mounted to the adapter. It works great. I have tryed two photos of M42 using a 18mm wide angle lens. My photos are poor at best. Next time out I am going to try a hartman mask.

Also are you using a shutter cable if not hold something infront of the lens for a few sec. that will give the scope and mount time to stop moving when you press the button down. Your focus is not that far off, practice and patience is the key. You will get it.

Thanks for the input. I have ordered a Knife Edge focuser from Stellar Technologies International. I also found some good reading at this site:
http://www.isomedia.com/homes/cvedeler/scope/focus.htm

When I shoot through the telescope with my Canon Digital Rebel, I have it connected to a laptop and with the software that comes with the camera, it displays the picture as soon as it finishes, so you can blow it up and see if you're in focus. This also has the advantage of taking a short exposure than normal so you can just adjust the levels to see the object to check the focus.

__________________

"Why do something now when you can put it off 'til later?" -- me :)

I have a Canon Digital Rebel(EOS 300D) and Meade Lx90 8" UHTC.For get focus with adapter you must use a small adapter(adapter long is small).

Please explain small adapter.
Thanks!

I don't have a laptop (yet)...........I could run a USB line out the door to the patio from my desk top and run inside to see the photo then back outside to adjust. I am thinking of getting a laptop for this. It would be much more convenient wouldn't it?
Thanks for sharing your web pages!

Larkspur... here's what I do (if this will help)... after I've taken several shots I go inside to my desktop, pop the SD card out of my camera (a Panasonic Lumix) into my computer, check my shots, then zip back outside to take more. By the way, although I've ordered a Neximage for my Celestron N5i telescope, right now all my shots are handheld.

Looks like you're having fun and getting some good shots... keep at it and keep posting!

many time crampling hand shows the results of unfocussing the object, concentration required very much, proper speed aperchure always gives a best result, even for a proper photograph the film or the photo chip also want to be clean and sharp, even we can clean the lense very well free from moistures etc, so that the clear image possible to seat in the camera.

Try to use Hartmann mask. If you dont have, It will be supposed you manufacture. This is your solution for your problem.

George

__________________
George Tarsoudis
Alexandroupolis, Greece
http://www.flickr.com/photos/80161946@N00/?saved=1

I am using a portable TV screen for focussing my Kyocera M400R on bright object (it has composite video out connector, and this is not a very good camera for astrofotography, BTW).
Bojan

The knife edge focuser came today. After the Tornado blows through tonight, maybe I'll get some clear skies tomorrow!
I'll be optomistic.....I will post my clearly focused photos on Sunday!!