Camera Motor Drive

Does anyone know if you can get a motor drive to allow long exposure SLR work without using a scope on which to piggy back the camera?

I'm thinking of those of us who don't have motor driven scopes, and maybe like myself have put off going DSLR as a result.

Surely the manual barn door is not the only option? :shock:

Does anyone know if you can get a motor drive to allow long exposure SLR work without using a scope on which to piggy back the camera?

I'm thinking of those of us who don't have motor driven scopes, and maybe like myself have put off going DSLR as a result.

Surely the manual barn door is not the only option? :shock:

paul,
if i remember correctly you have a dob scope. in order to photograph with that you'd need a poncet mount. i know you can use one of these for visual observing to convert an alt az scope to an equatorial. see the link below for details. i would assume as long as you account for the heavier camera at the top of the scope and balance for this weight you should have no problems.
stephen.

homepage.ntlworld.com/molyned/the_equatorial_platform.htm
p.s. if you do a search on poncet you should find more info and plans.

Good memory Stephen. I've an 8" dob.
Thanks for this. Will have to study it in detail. Looks like a lot of work.
As you say, maybe other sites will yield more.

Paul,

What kind of photography did you have in mind? The reason I ask is that you may be able to accomplish what you want by using a simple tripod and "quick" exposures. For the latter, it depends on the object's altitude and whereby 20-50+ sec exposures can be taken with no visible trailing.

Anthony.

Paul from my understanding of your post I am thinking that you want to do long exposure shots through the lens of the camera and not through the telescope at all. If this is the case all you need is something like a 'barn door mount' search google for 'barn door mount design' and you'll see how it works. Its something you can make as simply or as complex as you like and you can acheive much longer exposures without star trailing that you could with just a camera on a tripod. In its simplest form its just two pieces of wood, a hinge and a long bolt. Have a look around and you'll see just how easy it is. If you need any help to to the calculations required, just holler and I can help.

Paul, hat about this?

www.telescope.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=141

Ok, It's not a motor drive, but at 30 dollars, it ain't bad.

Keith..