[Vectis Birder]

I have got a small Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain astro-telescope and a Canon 40D DSLR. The scope has a 4-inch (100mm) objective, 1000mm focal length and a focal ratio of f10. I am thinking of getting an adapter for it to mount my camera on it to get a lens of 1000mm. Ok, f10 will require excellent light, but it would make an interesting experiment.

What adapter do I need to attach the camera to the scope? Is it, at f10, even worth the bother?

Thanks
VB

[Matt_RTH]

I've never heard of a SCT that small. A Maksutov-Casse for sure but not an SC. Anyway, a T adapter is what you need to connect. The infamous auction site or probably a myriad of places will have it. "t adapter canon ef" should net some options. Is this for birds or astro? There may be focal reducers available for that scope too but that's something I haven't used.

Matt

[Vectis Birder]

Hi Matt, yes it is an SCT, not a Mak. I got the little gem at the Texas Star Party last year for $100, a bargain. I want to use it for birds, I am not into astrophotography (although I am into plain observing).

Are there any pitfalls or things I need to watch out for, using a T-adapter?

The scope is in the pic, below, with one of my eyepieces attached

[Paul Corfield]

Meade used to make the 2045 which was a 4" SCT. Don't know what f10 looks like on a mirror lens. I use my refractor at f15 quite a bit with my Canon 450D without any trouble but a mirror might be different. It's an inexpensive experiment anyway to get the bits. Just get a T-ring in eos mount and then a scope adapter that screws into the t-ring. If your scope takes 1.25" eyepieces then you need something like this one. Loads of other photography stuff on that website here.

Paul.

[Paul Corfield]

As you wont have the 90° diagonal on the scope when it's mounted to the camera you will probably need a 50mm extension tube to allow you to reach focus. You can get ones that go into the eyepiece holder of the scope or you can get ones that screw into the T-thread. The site I linked to carries both.

Paul.

[Vectis Birder]

Thanks Paul.

I was given a load of stuff by someone from our astro society a while back, a load of odds and ends, and having a dig round in the box produced a camera adapter. So, I think I just need the T ring (the one in the box is Nikon fit, unfortunately) and I'm sorted. Pity it's back to work tomorrow rather than a quick trip to the camera shop and lots of experimentation!

[Vectis Birder]

The pic below shows the scope with the adapter I dug out of the box attached. The scope takes 2" eyepieces, but the adapter is a 1.25" adapter screwed into another attachment that came with the scope.

[Paul Corfield]

Yep, looking at that, all you need is the T-ring and it's good to go.

Paul.

[Vectis Birder]

Thanks Paul. I am going to go T-ring hunting in Jessops and the local independant camera shop tomorrow lunchtime but, sadly, no experimentation until Saturday!

[Vectis Birder]

I have sent off for an adapter from Telescope House as Jessops didn't have a clue what I was on about while the local independent shop had only Canon FD and Nikon fit ones and, furthermore, wanted an extortionate £18.99 for one. Telescope House sell them, including postage, for half that.