Video Camera + C100ED... Am I missing something?

Hi all!

I am trying to attach a video camera to my Celestron C100-ED Refractor but to no avail,
I have it connected no problem but all I am getting is a picture of inside the telescope,
I have also tried it using Eye Piece Projection but that dosent work either,
Am I missing something?

Can it even be done?

Regards

Graham

Video Camera straight to focuser


Video Camera using EPP 12.5mm

Hi Graham
Can you be more specific on the type of video camera you wish to use with the Celestron Telescope; from there it will be possible to recommend the correct adaptor. Do wish to image directly with your video camera attached at prime focus to your telescope?

Clear skies
Mike

Hi Mike, This is the video camera,

I am looking to video the like of ISS or the moon or planets or terrestrial objects,

I have an adjustable adaptor similar to this that I can connect the video to.




Regards,

Graham

Hi Graham. I'm no expert, so take these suggestions with a pinch of salt. I assume that your video camera has a fixed lens, so I think you are restricted to "afocal" photography, i.e. to taking a video of the image formed by an eyepiece. This is not trivial because the camera must be carefully aligned with the eyepiece and focusing on the image in the eyepiece can be tricky. Your camera looks quite large and heavy so supporting it using an eyepiece projection adapter may be problematic. There are devices specifically designed to support larger cameras in front of a telescope, e.g. see www.alpineastro.com/Hyperion-Eyepieces_c...yperion_Manual_2.pdf . Still, I think you are on the right lines and with perseverance you should be able to get good results. There was a short article on afocal astrophotography in the May 2011 issue of the Sky at Night magazine, which might be helpful.

Good luck, Mike

Thanks for that Mike,

The Camera is actually light and I have already upgraded the focuser on the C100 to a crawford and so far is working a treat handling the weight, heavy DSLR.

BTW I want to use the video instead of the DSLR because it is lighter and easier to travel with, has some nice zoom and has 240GB HDD so no fumbling with loads of CF cards. ALSO it has a swivel screen so I wont have to get under it just to see what I am looking at, and is a big cheaper ... 'just incase'...!

From the link you sent ' www.alpineastro.com/Hyperion-Eyepieces_c...yperion_Manual_2.pdf ' it appears that what I need is to have the video's lens right up close to a large eyepiece, I must try it and see if that works.

Thanks again for all your help!

Graham.

That's a good link/document showcasing the different mates available... Does anyone here have any recommendations for particular eyepiece+adapter+350D they'd like to share? I never got in to eyepiece projection with the camera, been too lazy to pursue it really, but this thread has me thinking about it a bit more seriously now... I also have a Samsung HD video camera so, like you Graham, I might pursue this avenue too.

Funny how the simple things get put onto the long finger too long...

Seanie.