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Fig. 19:
LX200-ACF
with #62
T-Adapter: (1) camera adapter, (2) T-
mount, (3) camera body.
Fig. 20: Example of vignetting.
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PHOTOGRAPHY & DIGITAL IMAGING
3
You may perform through-the-telescope imaging with any camera body with a
removable lens. You may connect a camera to a #62 T-Adapter which is then connected
to the microfocuser assembly. See Fig. 19. Using this method, the telescope effectively
becomes the lens of the camera.
The #62 T-Adapter (Fig. 19, 1) connects to the rear cell port (Pg. 7, Fig. 1, 5) ( or
microfocuser assembly on 16" models), followed by a T-Mount (Fig. 19, 2) for the
particular brand of camera being used, followed by the camera body (Fig. 19, 3
).
To orient an object in the viewfinder of the camera body, use a small jeweler’s
screwdriver to slightly loosen three adjustment screws around the outer knurled ring
of the T-Mount. Rotate the camera body to achieve proper orientation of the object;
then re-tighten the adjustment screws.
The #62 T-Adapter permits close-coupling of a camera body to the telescope. In this
format vignetting occurs: The image appears with a slight darkening (vignetting) at the
corners of the 35mm frame (Fig. 20
).
Imaging through a long lens such as the
LX200-ACF
requires special technique for
good results, and the photographer should probably expect to take many shots in
acquiring this technique. Long-lens imaging has its own rewards, however, rewards
that short-focus lenses cannot duplicate.
A few tips on imaging with the
LX200-ACF
telescopes:
1. Use the Field Tripod for the telescope. At an effective focal length of 2000mm,
even small external vibrations can easily ruin an otherwise good photo.
For best results in photographing celestial objects, a wedge and One-Star polar
alignment is recommended. See
APPENDIX A
, pages 53 through 57.
Caution: With the #62 T-Adapter and a camera body mounted to the
LX200-ACF
photo port, the telescope can only be rotated vertically about
45°. Moving past this point may damage the telescope and camera.
2. Use a cable-operated shutter release. Touching the camera body to initiate
shutter operation almost certainly introduces undesirable vibrations.
3. Focus the image with extreme care. While observing the subject through
the camera’s reflex viewfinder, turn the telescope’s focus knob (Fig. 1, 6) to
achieve the sharpest possible focus. Note that some cameras may have an
optional focusing screen (available from the manufacturer) for use with a long
telephoto lens. This screen provides a brighter and clearer image to focus, and
is highly recommended.
4. Correct shutter speeds vary widely, depending on lighting conditions and film
used. Trial-and-error is the best way to determine proper shutter speed in any
given application.
Note: The camera used with your telescope may have an exposure meter
that is still active when the standard lens is removed and the body is
connected to the telescope with the T-Mount. If used for terrestrial
p h o t o g r a p h y, the camera meter should be acceptable. If used for
astrophotography, the meter probably will not provide good results since
camera meters are not made to compensate for a dark sky.
5. Terrestrial photography through the
LX200-ACF
is sensitive to heat waves rising
from the Earth’s surface. Long distance photography is best accomplished in the
early morning hours before the Earth has had time to build up heat.
6. Imaging of the Moon and planets through the LX200-ACF can be especially
gratifying, but points 1 through 4 should be particularly noted in this case. If you
wish to take photographs using polar alignment, see
APPENDIX A
, page 53.
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