ST80 Telephoto lense for Canon EOS( problem..)

Hey,
I have an Orion ST80 telescope and a Canon EOS rebel G camera which I use as a 400mm telephoto system for wildlife photography and astrophotography. When used in prime focus (400mm), the telescope works great, despite a little vignetting....But when I try to use it for eyepiece projection it doesn't even transmit light to the cameras eyepiece. I use an orion universal photo adaptor (1.25") and a t-ring to couple everything together, along with two orion Sirus Plossl eyepieces. Ones a 25mm and the others 9mm. With the 25 I can sometimes get a small oval of light to appear but otherwise am unsuccessful (definitely can't focus with it). I've tried sliding the eyepiece closer to the camera and even further away by moving it inside the adaptor but haven't had any success. When I take the system off the telescope (Camera hooked up to adaptor with eyepiece in it) I can see the oval of light that should be presenting the picture when hooked to the telescope. Why?????? This has been driving me insane as I've been waiting for the oppurtunity to do some real wildlife photography for a while and the funds that were devoted to the photo accessories aren't part of a large stash.....in fact there isn't even really a stash at all any more! I can't afford to sell off the scope and accessories at a loss and buy a dedicated lens, especially as my reasoning for buying(or excuse...whatever you want to call it) was the advantage of a dual purpose instrument (telescope and lens..). Pleases help...any and all is more than appreciated. Even if it seems insulting its so simple...I'm open to any suggestions or solutions.

Thanks!
Trey

P.S. I don't know if its of concern, but when in prime focus the telescopes focuser must be almost completely extended to obtain good focus.

I just bought a used ST-80 here on astromart. I han't tried epp yet, but I read your post and just did. I had the same problem. Then I remembered something that I had thought was strange. I couldn't even see through an eyepiece without the image erecting prism in place. I didn't try it, but I am guessing that you must use the erecting prism when you try to do epp. I also had the same problem with prime focus. I had to extend the focuser completely out. Anyway, I'm bored I guess I'll run out and try epp with the prism on.
Be right back....

Trey, back when I had aspirations of getting into astrophotography (Imay still get into it someday) after getting my ST80 reality convinced me that I was going to have to spend a lot more $ and develop infinitely more patience. Anyway, I experimented with the "problem" and discussed it with the tech guys at Orion. They told me that at f5 the scope just could not do epp. Photo work in general required using a tube extension. They sell what looks like a barlow w/o any lenses for ~$25. I bought one along with thier universal camera adapter and t-ring (I have an old OM-1) and was able to do epp with the 25mm Kellner that came with the scope. The 10mm Kellner just made too small of a light cone to be practical in use. Although, even with the 25mm astro work was nearly impossible do to the lack of light in which to focus with. The moon and daytime photo work were about all I could shoot. A big problem was that with all those attached the scope was severely out of balance w/r to the 1/4"-20 thread post. I eventually bought a set of 90mm tube rings and that took care of it. The cool bonus that nobody thought of was that when the tube extension is in place, there is a certain range of focus (can't remember exactly) where the scope acts as a macro lense. I took quite a few shots of different insects. From about 2 feet away (far enough not spook them) you could fill the field of view with the face of a grasshopper. Keep at it.

Thanks for everyones help. Paul: I was going to opt for the 500mm mirror lens but found out about the rings usually apparent in the background which discouraged me a little (although your picture lacks them...?). What finnally drew me astray was a Sigma 500mm APO!! lens on ebay listed for $99 dollars. Of course I'm a sucker on that site and ended up following the bid up to $142 and winning, although this is still an incredible deal for a $549 lens in almost perfect condition. This lens should be perfect for wildlife ( although its slow at f7.2, which I can cope with easily in lieu of my budget) and should allow me to take reasonable moon photos and such. Now comes the sad part, to finance it I'll be selling my Orion st80. This is my first scope and I have loved it, whether my demands are simple or not I think its a great scope. It was easy to carry backpacking and let me see so much more than I thought possible. This isn't a departure from astronomy, just a layover. i have a n old pair of large, albeit heavy binoculars that will hold me over till my next impulse at the astromart.

P.S. For some reason now that I put my 9mm plossl in the orion adaptor and hook it to the camera......it WORKS! the focus is great and the image clear without vignetting. I got a few moon shots off that should be really interesting. The 25mm almost focuses with the diagnol, but needs to be closer by a hair...FRUSTRATING! Especially all after i bought the lens.

Thanks again for everyones advice, its been invaluble.