Successful First Attempt at Prime Focus

Hi all! Last week, I took several prime focus astrophotos of the Orion region with my SkyView Pro 8" EQ (with RA motor drive). I coupled my Olympus OM-1 SLR camera to the scope using the camera adapter that came with the scope and a t-ring. I focused the images as closely as I could using the standard focusing screen and camera viewfinder. Exposure times were generally 5-10 minutes, and I used Kodak EliteChrome 200 slide film. The RA motor drive kept the image centered in the viewfinder so well, that I didn't have to make any corrections to the guiding.

Of course, I was skeptical of the results, but this morning I got my slides back from the photo lab and they are OUTSTANDING! M42 is spectacular and full of color, and I was also able to clearly resolve the horsehead nebula. I will post my M42 pictures as soon as I get the slides scanned. Thank you all for you earlier suggestions!

Mike

p.s. Any suggestions on scanning slides? Is it possible to do with a flatbed scanner?

Michael,

It is possible with a flatbed scanner if you have a slide adapter--which is not all that unusual. However, a dedicated scanner does a much better job.

Alex

I've just started out with Piggyback a couple months ago and this week I finally got some good Afocal shots. I attempted Prime focus once but with a Newt I couldn't get a focus from the view finder. "I coupled my Olympus OM-1 SLR camera to the scope using the camera adapter that came with the scope and a t-ring." I have a T-Ring but I don't know what "Camera Adapter" you're talking about. So..., what are you talking about?

Let the photo lab scan them for you! And please, please post the result on this forum. I've been thinking about purchasing an Orion SVP myself for getting my feet wet in prime focus photography. I'm very curious about the mount.

Erlend