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[-=CROMAN=-]

It can be done but you will need some counterweight attached to the rear mirror cell. In all practicality its not worth it. Dobs are mostly visual scopes, that's not saying you cant do it.

Many people have done it but their results vary more than say a DSLR attached to a guided EQ mounted refractor or imaging reflector.

The folks that have had luck with Dobsonian astrophotography have utilized motorized Equatorial platforms. If you have the cash to go down this route I would suggest purchasing a Mallincam as well!

www.equatorialplatforms.com/mallincam.imaging.with.a.platform.html

www.equatorialplatforms.com/dobsonians.on.platforms.html

I say go for it. If anything you will learn to master your Dob during the process.

[headdunce]

I got sumtin I can use fer a counterweight layn round, and a roll of duct tape, sounds like a free project to me... for a later date ;D

[erikruud]

I have a similar video camera. While I could probably get threaded adapters that fit, I would be concerned that the threads on the front of the camera aren't strong enough to support the weight of the camera itself. There really only meant for filters. Also my video camera doesn't have much in the way of useful manual settings.

Something like this might work better for your camera. www.skiesunlimited.net/index.php?ProductID=5492

You also have to consider how much weight is going to be balanced out on the end of you scope.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Jim,

Dobs by nature are not very astrophotography friendly. Only brief short exposures will be possible due to the inability of the scope to track and follow objects - limiting only quick and brief exposures of brighter targets. Depending on the magnification at the time, your maximum exposure time will be 1/2 second tops before the image starts to smear.

With that camera, it will be difficult, but not impossible.

Used primarily as a video camera, (very cool one), the weight of it alone might disrupt the delicate balance of your scope. I don't know what means your dob has to increase the friction, (some have adjustable springs/weights), but you'll need to counter weight it near the mirror side.

On actually attaching it, I don't see an option in an adapter mount for the camera. You will need a solid connection between the camera and the eyepiece. Holding it up to the eyepiece will get you more frustration than usable pics, but if indeed the front ring of your camera does detach, then it's a good sign we can work with it.

That's where we start.

[headdunce]

It sounds like it's not the best idea, but because it's really a video camera, I can take video and not worry about the image being blurred by the movement. I can also pull still frames from the video which has let me take some awesome shots of race cars. Also, I've got a telephoto lens for it and you can easily pick the whole camera up by the lens alone that's just screwed into the threaded front. It's not that heavy, and I bought it years ago when it first came out, so it's been around the world now (literally) and I'm not afraid of breaking it.

I get that it's not the ideal camera for astrophotos, and I know I'm jumping the gun since I don't even have the scope yet (TUESDAY!) but I gotta assume I'm gonna try somethin here... ;D

[headdunce]

Well, I wouldn't be the first -

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOtkBirhYDo

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fFVPNdgBuo

[headdunce]

The numbers on the keypad thing change when you move it around, so I think I got it all together right so far ;D

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Oh so very cool Jim!

Like a Pre-Christmas Day!

Of course, it's raining now...but I'm hoping Friday evening will be our night for a session and we can see your Leviathan first hand.

Stay tuned.

[-=CROMAN=-]

Thanks for the clouds!

Your going to need a right angle on that finder scope! Opinions may differ on this but I think a Telrad would help you out immensely.

It looks sweet... cant wait to see it.

[Paulie pchris00]

That is a photon vacuum!

[headdunce]

Ha, I've shown a few people now. They all think I'm nuts but can't wait to look into it.

[patrickm]

D00D! 8-o

Can't wait to check out your highly portable bucket.

[headdunce]

It's the first toy I've bought in a long time that doesn't require me hooking it to my trailer hitch. Tossing it in the back isn't a problem at all and allows me to drag another toy along!

My wife is calling for a hot tub weekend this Saturday night. Weather looks good, although I'll wait until the last minute to book. She's calling for dinner out at that place I linked above and drinking a lot of wine (I'll stick with whiskey) while trying to aim this thing. --- If we go alone, I have little faith in aiming at anything, although we will have a lot of fun. ;D I don't know if anyone would be interested in meeting up there. I know we're not the *normal* crowd on this forum, although we do quite well in our own worlds. I'll bring along some special potion nicknamed "apple pie" that will make ya dream real good too ;D

Party on Wayne.

[patrickm]

Thanks for the invite, but this is the busiest time of year for us.

Friday: iamlogansquare.com/event/cinchel-solar-fox doing music of the spheres
&
sakistore.blogspot.com/2011/12/hideouts-christmas-panto.html

Saturday: sakistore.blogspot.com/2011/11/saki-after-hours-christmas-mansion-with.html

Sunday: Wilco at Lincoln Hall

Besides, it'll certainly be cloudy any way, so...

[headdunce]

Thanks a lot for showing me your lens last night Joe, now I think I may need one of these...
www.telescope.com/Accessories/Barlow-Lenses/Orion-HighLight-2-3x-5-Element-Barlow-Lens/pc/-1/c/3/sc/41/p/8804.uts

Hummmm.... reading up on this stuff...

Oh yeah, bought a Telrad too - thanks for the tip Rich!

[headdunce]

GREAT VIEWS FROM THE HOT TUB PLACE
I took these pictures the next morning, the snow gave a neat fog to the morning



And I just bought one of these to start --
www.telescope.com/Accessories/Telescope-Eyepieces/35mm-Orion-Stratus-Wide-Field-Eyepiece/c/3/sc/47/p/8241.uts
;D

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Great vista there Jim.

Hot tub astronomy is encouraged....lovelies make it even better.

That 3.5mm eyepiece is good and the wide field is very desirable.

But, I would recommend going with the 2" eyepieces for your future regular eyepiece collection, (which will grow). The 2" eyepieces will collect more light and provide an even more "porthole" like views of the cosmos.

With the 2" to 1.25" eyepiece adapter, you can easily switch back and forth, but make the 2 inchers your primary glass.

[headdunce]

I was looking for 2" pieces, but they don't seem to go down to a really low number for a reasonable price. I also read some other opinions saying the 2" was better used for just deep sky stuff (that I'm not at all familiar with, yet.)

Then I was looking at the 2" Barlow, which lead me into looking at the 2" TeleVue Powermates. Of course then being a redneck, I started looking at the biggest 4x 2" Powermate, but I was worried about going overboard on an expensive piece that might end up being worthless to me. Also the 4x Powermate is suppose to be pretty big and heavy.

I don't think I need an adapter for that piece though (I've got one if I do.) It doesn't really specify, but it says it can be used in both 1.25 and 2, from the picture it looks as if it's got both diameters machined at the base of it.

Of course I'm trying to zoom in on the planets with that 3.5mm piece, hopefully the wide field view will let me view them before they move, and the 20mm eye relief will be good for my glasses with my colorblind eyes. Ugh, but now I'm second guessing myself...

[headdunce]

[-=CROMAN=-]

How are you liking the XX12i? Is the assembly manageable for one person?

I'm seriously considering selling my 10" dob and cart in a couple of weeks and going for a larger truss system like yours.

[patrickm]

Aperture Fever! Catch it!

Particularly potent when also afflicted with Cabin Fever.

[headdunce]

It reminds me of setting up a tent for camping. I like that I got all the right bags for the parts, so everything has a place. I can see the more I set it up, the faster I get. I'm still happy with the purchase. It's really not a big deal to set up, as long as you have a vehicle to move it.

I took it out to my condo parking lot last night for a few hours


There's this one 12" on CL with the truss
chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/sys/2788681282.html
or this one if you don't plan on moving it
chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/for/2753912003.html