Posts Made By: Jeff Seivert

What are the biggest advantages/disadvantages between Schmidt Newts and Schmidt Cass's? Assuming the same aperature, say 10". My understanding is that an f/4 vs f/10 won't matter unless your doing photography right? Any big visual differences?

Thinking of upgrading my 8" SCT to a 10"

Thanks

I have an Intel Pro webcam, (VGA resolution (640x480) for one of the specs). Is there anyone that knows of a modification tutorial to turn it into a useable CCD type camera for my scope? 12" LX200 SCT.

Thanks,

Jeff

I have an Intel Pro webcam, (VGA resolution (640x480) for one of the specs). Is there anyone that knows of a modification tutorial to turn it into a useable CCD type camera for my scope? 12" LX200 SCT.

Thanks

Jeff

It says Meade Telecompressor on it. The central piece screws into an outer ring. Got it along with a scope purchase a few years ago and never knew what to do with it.

Any use now with a 10" LX200 GPS?

Edit: And what might it be worth if I choose to sell it?

OK, I'm sure the alt/az vs gem arguement has been had before but, I'm asking anyway.

I currently have a 10" LX200 GPS that I want to do more serious astro photos with. It's

Alt/Az now. I'm thinking I can de-fork it. Sell the fork mount, tripod, JMI case, and

accessories (+cash) and buy something like an Orion Atlas EQ-G to mount the tube on.

Anyone do this and then regret making the change?
Can the GOTO GEM's do things like update satellites/ISS in the hand box?
The goal is to take longer exposure images but still be able to do tours, comets,

asteroids, etc from the controller.

I won't mind that the weight will be broken down into smaller parts too.

I guess another way to ask the question is, should I buy a wedge, or sell unneeded parts and get a GEM? The cash layout ultimately won't be a factor.

Thanks for any input!

I use a 10" LX200, f/6.3 reducer, Scopestuff 10:1 focuser, then 2"->1 1/4" eyepiece adapter over the 1 1/4" t-adapter & t-ring to a Canon 50D DSLR. Would a full 2" nosepiece do anything for me? More light? Less vignetting? Stronger? One less thing to put together?

I'm looking to redo some of the foam in my cases but I can't find anything like the eggcrate or pluckable foam. I need to do 2 ep cases, ~24"x12"x6 & 12x8x5. A 6" refractor box, Atlas box, and an accesories box ~24x14x8 for finder, focuser, etc.

No luck at Hobby Lobby. Any ideas?

I'm having a little bit of trouble with terminology....I bought a used Orion Atlas EQ-G with the stock saddle. I *think* this requires a "Vixen" style dovetail, right? I see a bunch of Losmandy, ADM, CG5, etc.

I'm looking for a dovetail plate that will mount a 10" LX200 OTA to a stock Atlas EQ-G saddle. I'm assuming I'll need one with radius blocks. Where's a good place to get one?

Any thoughts on replacing the stock saddle with the new wider one that came out? Then what type of dovetail would I need?

This one:
"Wide Dovetail Saddle for Atlas EQ-G Mount (Pre-09)" see Orion Telescopes site.

Thanks for any info!

For some reason I couldn't get anything to come to focus the first time out with this reducer.

I'm tring to use it like this:
Celestron 6" refractor -> 1 1/4" visual back -> reducer screwed into T adapter&ring -> Canon DSLR.

The scope has 5 1/2" of focus travel and I still couldn't make get it to focus.

Am I doing something wrong? Is there some magic distance that the reducer needs to be from the focal plane of the camera?

I also have a 5" Mak and a 10" SCT that I could try it on too if it would work any better.

Planning more tests tonight so any tips are greatly appreciated.

Is there a difference between an "Equitorial" mount and a "German Equitorial" mount? I noticed that in my setup of Ascom & TheSky it has as mount options:
Unknown
Alt/Az
Equitorial
German Equitorial

Just wonderin'