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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

New to the Chicago Astronomer Arsenal

The Canon T5i

The Canon Powershot S3 that I have been using for the past 7 years for all Chicago Astronomer activities has been a trusty workhorse. Never let me down and has taken thousands of C.A. shots and brought sight's from the C11 and other scopes down to digital form for all of us.

But...she's showing here age and the pics are not as sharp as once before. This camera does it all, but because of the multi-element fixed lens system...imaging was not 100% sharp.... and it was time to look into another camera for astrophotography.

A cam imager, like the ZWO is a very fine tool, but I just don't want to lug a laptop out into the field, so a camera it is. A couple of our Chicago Astronomer members have T series models...and capturing great astro pics. I wanted to capture images like that too, but limited with the S3. I had the intention of obtaining the Canon T3i - C.A. Javier has obtained wonderful skilled shots with his T3i camera set-up and scopes. But while looking over the cameras, they had a great deal on the T5i. With slightly improved performance...it was the included 18mm to 125mm zoom AF lens that solidified the decision....

My next camera had to have the articulating screen and ability to secure the body to the scopes. Javier, master astrophotographer that he is....is working on obtaining me the proper T-Ring and 2" adapters for me.

Slick...!

Updates soon.

[newbie]

2" t-adapter

www.ebay.com/itm/2-inch-to-T-Adapter-Telescope-Astrophotography-2-NEW-/230867970890?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35c0cdab4a

[newbie]

Joe's t-ring.

Attachments:

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Excellent Javier...!

Great for the camera body and OTA imaging...can't wait to try this out on the C11.

Also...

I like to use the eyepiece/camera combo...just like I do now with the Canon S3 and the 2" Maxview 40mm eyepiece with the 48mm thread.

What do you think will work with this...?

[newbie]

For DSO, I don't think you need it. What you will need is that focal reducer you have!

Works with most 1.25" and 2" eyepieces.
www.telescope.com/Astrophotography/Camera-Adapters-T-Rings/Orion-SteadyPix-Deluxe-Camera-Mount/pc/-1/c/4/sc/62/p/5338.uts


Now, if you are looking to take lunar and planetary close-ups with this adapter, another option is to add a good barlow or two to the T-adapter. You can take video with the Canon T5i, then convert it to AVI format and stack using Registax. I've had good results before using a usb camera with 2 stacked barlows(2x each) on an 8" newtonian(attached pic).

Attachments:

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

I have had great success in directly attaching the camera to the eyepiece and bringing in the magnification for imaging with the Powershot S3.

I will need to do the same with the T5i, but that Orion cradle won't do it. I need some thing that connects to the T-mount and screws onto the 48mm top of the eyepiece.

For 1.25" eyepieces, I use the T-mount adapter and it clamps onto the eyepiece via three set-screws.

[newbie]

Is this what you are looking for?

www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=613550

www.weasner.com/etx/reviews/2005/scopetronix_maxview.html

[newbie]

Check this out! There is even a video on the page. They have 2" and 1.25".

www.ebay.com/itm/GSO-1-25-Camera-Projection-Photography-Eyepiece-32mm-Plossl-/110979270884?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19d6e148e4

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

That GSO is pretty much exactly how my 2" 40mm MaxViewII performs...with very good results.

I'll post pics of the set-up of how I connect my Canon Powershot S3 with the 40mm - (48mm threads), but the physical connection is very similar. I wish to do the same with the new T5i.

[newbie]

I think I just found it! This is a t-ring with a 48mm thread unlike the standard 42mm!

www.astronomics.com/celestron-48mm-t-ring-for-canon-dslr-cameras_p19496.aspx

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Javier....

That just might work!

I will take a closer look...

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

How the Chicago Astronomer Images with the Canon Powershot S3

With the introduction of the Canon T5i to the imaging arsenal now, the Canon Powershot S3 will be delegated to other astro duties...primarily documenting our Chicago Astronomer Star Parties and other supportive work.

Now...this little camera is a workhorse, does everything - including movies and still working well....but falls short in capturing really dramatic and razor sharp images due to the fixed lens system. I like the optical/digital zoom functionality, but as there is nothing that is free - it falls short a bit on the crispness of images in exchange for compact lensing. I wish to adapt the T5i to my scopes in a similar manner as I did the S3....

Starting out with 1.25" eyepieces....

The S3 has third party accessories like this versatile adapter collar that can accommodate neat stuff - like this Chinese eyepiece holder that screws right into the 55mm threads of the adapter and then click onto the S3 camera body...

(The Chinese eyepiece adapter came with the little thumbscrews originally, but I found them too small to apply enough torque with gloved hand. I added the longer thumbscrew screws with much better handing.)

...Then, just pop in your favorite 1.25" eyepiece into any scope and you are off capturing the cosmos. It's a very solid build and connection of camera to scope and works beautifully.

Going on to 2" eyepieces....

I have been using the Scopetronix MaxView II 2" 40mm eyepiece with 55mm thread available when the eye cup is unscrewed....and with great success...

Using an extra adapter collar just for 2" work, I can screw it securely to the MaxView and then click the S3 body onto it. Usually the MaxView is already loaded into the diagonal on the scope and easier to clip the body on top of the stack. The Maxview also has an adjustable sleeve that rides up and down the the eyepiece body - providing some change in magnification...but I have found it very helpful in matching the FOV of the camera in different levels of on-board zoom. I can achieve full wide open/unobstructed FOVs in this manner.

It all comes together tightly and ready to tease out the secrets of the Universe...

I also use the adapter collar on non-adaptable 2" eyepieces via solely on a friction connection...

Folding down the ribber eye cups, (Better than I did here)....they make for a semi-secure connection of camera and scope. Works ok, but not a solid peace-of-mind connect. So I always snag the camera strap onto something on the scope - just in case.... But the imaging is very good.

I do incorporate two pocket cameras from time to time - or when I just want a quick shot at home or through other Astronomer's equipment...

I have used these two pocket cameras - a Nikon Coopix and a Samsung TL110 - both work great...

The Scopetronix MaxView II steps up to the plate again for a good image session. I have captured some pretty primo Solar and Lunar pics in this manner. Also works with 1.25" eyepieces as well.

I also have an assortment of rings and adapters...

Above are all 55mm rings that screw onto the S3 adapter collar with various exit diameters for future needs.

There are also some loose T-mounts here and adapters that I have rolling about....

The Canon Powershot S3 has been a trusty and dependable camera - and with these adapters has captured the cosmos for me and allowed me to share with all our Chicago Astronomer friends and fans.

Now...onward to adapt the T5i for serious imaging..... #Yay#

[Skyhound]

Nice Camera, Prime focus is the way to go with the C11 and this camera With a 2x Barlow and the t5i your image scale will be large at F20 and with the small pixels of the Camera you will be able to
really pull the detail out for Planetary imaging. For deep sky you will probley want to get a F6.3 reducer ..The F3.3 reducer will not work this the large sensor on the DSLR. If you have a old web cam around it's easy to convert it for guiding with free ware like PHD.. Can't wait to see your images!!

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

The first adapters for the T5i have come in...

With all my prior imaging accomplished with the Canon Powershot S3...I am in need to rig -up the T5i for superior imaging service. Chicago Astronomer Javier, immediately got me the proper T-Ring and adapter and was here within days of this first posting.

I now have the proper adapter that clicks on firmly onto the T5i body and accepts the T-ring that screws in and that will now slip into my 2" diagonal/Barlow...

The T-ring sleeve is baffled and it is all snug with no play...

Now...we are ready to do some Prime Focus imaging withe the C11, C102 and other scopes. But, as I like to shoot afocally with eyepieces, I need to get the proper adapters to use the 2" 40mm MaxView II imaging eyepiece and others.

Let's see what I can find......

Big thanks to Javier for his knowledge and setting me up quickly!...

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

The first wave of T5i accessories have come in...

Now, every camera needs more than one battery and looking around there are plenty of battery kits and I liked this one. Every piece in there is needed and will be used. What I liked, was the remote wireless shutter release and the AC/DC battery charger in this kit - apart from the two spare batteries...

The wireless remote will be necessary for vibration free shutter release while attached to the scope and Chicago Astronomer Javier has utilized this with great results at our imaging sessions. But....later on - I am looking at a wired release - something like this...

The options of setting parameters of: Auto-focusing, interval 1sec - 100hr. Shutter Count: 1-399 times + infinity - First Shot Delay from 1 sec. up to 100hr...pretty much set it and forget it. Great for meteor showers and I like the backlit data screen.

The travel battery charger is cool, as I can charge batteries out in the field via the cigarette lighter in the car or the powerpack - and the AC option means I can charge two batteries at home at the same time along with the original charger. Great for extended sessions where the cold zaps juice from batteries. Now, they also make a external add-on battery holder that allows the use of two camera batteries and can accept 6 common AA batteries for extended usage.

Perhaps sometime later.

I did need a Microfiber cloth for the articulating screen too.

So for $25.00 delivered to the door....I'm off in making my T5i experience a better one.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Adapters for the T5i in 2" & 1.25" Afocal imaging

I have successfully conducted a test session with the T51 coupled to the C102mm Refractor in Prime Focus with good results...

The straight connection to scope via the 2" adapter is solid mating the scope and camera into one instrument...and Orion Nebula (M42) imaged well in this shake-out session, but I have a large assortment of 2"/1.25" eyepieces and like to do image "afocally" as well - with an eyepiece in the light path for magnified planetary and lunar captures....but I just didn't have the necessary adapters to attach the Canon to scope...or so I thought...

In my box of assorted 58mm to ... rings - there was a T ring, (above and far right). Below it's #3...

..and it fits the female end of the Canon T-Ring adapter #2.

...of which accepts the 58mm Chinese adapter for 1.25" eyepieces...

...and it all comes together with a click into the camera body and thunbscrews grabbing onto the eyepiece.

It'll work great.


Next.....

astronomer.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Equipment&action=display&thread=3526

Now, I also have the Zhumell 1.25" 24mm - 8mm Zoom Eyepiece that I would like to incorporate into the imaging team of glass. Removing the rubber eyecup there are threads, but it's just a bit too large to fit into the Chinese adapter and I needed to find something else...

In my collection of tubes, sleeves and other pieces in the parts drawer was this Meade extender tube - (Center). It comes apart and the male threaded end screws into the Canon EOS adapter...

Stacking and screwing the three all together, it clicks nicely into the camera body...

And ready for zoom imaging of planets and lunar features....


Next...working out the adapters for my 2" eyepieces...

Sometimes...you get lucky and things work out nicely....

I have always enjoyed imaging with the 2" Scopetronics MaxView II adjustable eyepiece and here it all fell into place....

With the T-Adapter from the Ring kit, it screwed right onto the MaxView and then screwed right into the Canon T-Ring adapter. Clicking it onto the camera body...we got a solid connection...

I like the Maxview, as the shaft slides along the inner tube for an increase in magnification, but more importantly - to match the FOV to the camera without vignetting.

Would I have the same good fortune and ease with the Rini 35mm 2" eyepiece w/ reticle...?

...even simpler!

The Rini screws right into the Canon adapter and clicking onto the body....another firm solid connection.

I still have to figure out a compression fit for the other 2" eyepieces, as they do not have threads, but for now - along with the barlows...I can accomplish some decent imaging - (Afocal and Prime focus), with the eyepieces of the Chicago Astronomer.

Now....if we only had so0me clear skies....

[Brian Perry]

This is exactly generally a helpful post to those people who aspires to learn about this.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Hi Brian and welcome to the Chicago Astronomer.

We learn from those before us and I post the minutia of all things astro for our members and all others desiring to learn or share their experiences.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Just came in - Nikon to Canon Lens Mount body adapter...

I bought this Nikon FG camera in the early 90's and has taken thousands of images...on film. An expensive activity, but it was a trusty and dependable camera, documenting many of my adventures. After I got my first digital camera in the early 2000s, I put the analog camera away and went all digital. With the arrival of the removable lens Canon T5i, I thought about adapting my two manual zoom lenses from my Nikon days to this new computerized body...

I searched for the appropriate "Nikon to Canon EOS" adapter and just got one - to see if it would work.....and it does...

Above is pictured the 80mm/200mm zoom lens clicking onto the T5i securely. I also popped on 35mm to 70mm, (which came with the Nikon), onto the adapter and they both work great. The adapter is from "FotoDiox" and is of heavy metal and well worth the $14.00.

Now...I like to take control over my shots and shoot in manual mostly for serious work, and the all manual controls on these lenses is great. Clicking through the f stops, sliding the knurled collar for the zoom and the snug feel of the focus ring. I wish the newer lenses would feel as solid. The new ones do indeed have the Image Stabilizer and Autofocus feature that talks to the camera body for very nice captures.

So now, we got the 18mm/135mm, the 35mm/70mm and the 80mm/200mm to work with and adapt to astrophotography....

[mojocvh]

Kindred spirits, I have "analogue" kit from the past, A1. AV1 Canon lenses etc, unless it's for a planned landscape shoot etc with Fuji velvia 50 then it's digital all the way.

You can't even use FD lenses on Canon DSLR [Edmika being an quality exception] so even their massive lead glassed lenses are verboten.

A sorry state of affairs.