Posts Made By: kirk wester

I have an LX200 GPS 12" that I operate in alt/az mode. I use a Meade 2" 45, Televue 2" powermate, Eyepiece (varible), and my olympus e-10 digital camera on the eyepiece end of my scope. On the other end I have a Meade metal dew shield. My scope is very tail heavy (eyepiece end). What is the best counter wieght system out there? Thanks guy's.

Kirk

Hi Guy's

Wish I could say that my first photos where as good as some that I have seen submited on this forum but I can't. I have problems with my setup I hope you guy's can help me figure out. Here is my setup, LX200 12" gps usind Meade 2" 45 mirror, some pics with Tele Vue 2x powermate some without, varies power Meade 4000 super plossl eyepieces, scopetronix Digi-T adaptor, and my olympus E-10 digital camera. Please check out my photos in the photo section marked Kirks m... it looks as though the main mirror is in my picture. The picuters are in increasing magnification. I know you guy's can help this newbie. Thanks.

Kirk

I've fabricated parts for years as an aircraft mechanic, so when I did'nt find anything I liked on the market to counter weight my many accessories on my scope I made my own. Used 6061 aluminum for the main assembly and 2" cold steel for the weights. Anodized the aluminum parts black and applied black oxide to the steel weights. What do you think?

It's been overcast the last three weeks so no photo practice possible. I have been trying to use the equipment I have to take astrophoto's will limited success. I have a Meade LX-200 GPS 12" f10, lots of eyepieces, and a Olympus E-10 digital camera. Thyis model camera has a fixed large 35-140 zoom lens. I have attached the camera to the eyepiece via a digi-t adaptor. Photos; of the moon were fine but when I try and take a picture of a planet I get a refelection thru my setup of the secondary mirror. I have been told to speed up the shutter speed and this should correct this problem (Weather not cooperating to try this). But this brings me to my question. Are those of you that use digital cameras to take platary or nebula photo's using the camera's lens in your setup or is it a better idea to eleminate this when connecting to scope setup? I'm starting to think my E-10 is a grat daylight camera but not useable for astophotography. Let me know what your experiences have been in this regard. Thanks.

Kirk

I have a chance to get a T2 Tele Vue 20mm 2" nagler. Whats the viewing quiality differance ( If any) between a T2 and the New T6 naglers? I know the T2 are phyisicly larger but is that the only differance? BTW I have been trying to buy 2" eyepiece when posible, I have a LX200 12" with eyeopener. Thanks for input guy's.

Kirk

Hi Guy’s

I was wondering if you can purchase the material used to make solar filters. Can you guys tell me what the material is and where to purchase it? Thanks.

Kirk

I have noticed that there are 2 diferent styles of solar filters, what are the differences in optical clearity. There is the type that covers the entire end of your scope with filter material. Then there is one that covers the end of the scope with cap that has a small circle of filter material. Which one would best suit photography?

Kirk

Hi Steve

Actually there was alot of thought but into my design and reasons (not that that makes it right) for the end product. I talked to Jim Peterson (Peterson engineering) before starting also to check my theories. The reason you need weight both on top and bottom is that there needs to be balance at equal points on opposingsides of the pivoting axis. Where you scope attaches to the fork is the pivot for alt, if you had weight on only the top or bottom the balance of the scope would change as the scope change atl position. With opposing weights the balance stays the same through the entire alt range movement. The same is true for the other axis (pivot point). Thats why there are 2 weights on top nad 2 on bottom. when the scope move through its azmith range the opposing weights keep consistant balance. Thats the theory anyway. I cam tell you after playing with different weighting positions now that the theory holds. It works!

Thanks Kirk