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While I'm search for a new telescope I decided to pull out my old Meade 4550 to use as a platform for testing my machine vision camera and some AP PP.
I want to mount the C mount camera directly to the focusing tube but can't find any info on what thread size this is. I may still have the EP holder somewhere, not sure if it will allow the camera to get into prime focus area or not.
Does anyone know what thread this is?
Thanks
Explore Scientific ED80 refractor, Sky-Watcher 200P 8" Dobsonian, Meade 856 w/853 mount and lots of eyepieces, Meade 4550 Newtonian, Sky-Watcher NEQ-3 PRO Hot Rodded with bearings and a whole mess of cameras, lenses, accessories, adapters and 2 cats.
Gabrielle See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885 EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102 Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1000101) The only culture I have is from yogurt
FOR PHOTOGRAPHY
To allow use of the Model 4500 for photography, the following accessories must be purchased:
#126 2x Telenegative Barlow Lens (1.25” O.D.): To permit photography, the #126 Barlow lens must be
placed into the focuser’s Eyepiece Holder Adapter (1.25"), then the Variable Projection Camera Adapter
must be attached to the #126 Barlow lens via the thumbscrew lock provided for that purpose.
Variable Projection Camera Adapter (1.25" O.D.): The Variable Projection Camera Adapter includes a
machined sliding mechanism, permitting variable projection distances during eyepiece-projection
photography. The Variable Projection Camera Adapter (1.25") permits direct attachment of 35mm SLR
cameras to the Model 4500’s focuser for short exposure astrophotography of the Moon. (Requires T-Mount
for your specific brand of 35mm camera and an appropriate focal length eyepiece. Also, the Variable
Projection Camera Adapter must be used with the #126 Barlow Lens, mentioned above.
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac ∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO ∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5 ∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros. ∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6R, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000 ∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3 ∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100 ∞ AP Gear: ZWO EAF and mini EFW and the Optolong L-eXteme filter ∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°
Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."
From all the reading and research I think the eyepiece holder thread is 36.4mm, and I found a Vixen 3720-3 which is 36.4mm holding a 1.25" eyepiece. It's on it's way and it was cheap $17 USD plus shipping $8. Should be here in a few weeks. I already have the T2 to eyepiece adapter and C to T2 adapter, hopefully I will be able to get the machine vision camera sensor into the correct location.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
Cheers
Explore Scientific ED80 refractor, Sky-Watcher 200P 8" Dobsonian, Meade 856 w/853 mount and lots of eyepieces, Meade 4550 Newtonian, Sky-Watcher NEQ-3 PRO Hot Rodded with bearings and a whole mess of cameras, lenses, accessories, adapters and 2 cats.
And to wrap up this topic, the Vixen adapter arrived today and it fits perfectly in the Meade 4550 focuser, cool beans. I also cleaned the mirrors, the primary was quite dusty, the dust came off but there is a film left that won't come off, tried dish soap, then Fantastic, I don't want to try anything stronger, but I'm open to suggestions. It may also work just fine as is but it's nowhere near as clean as the 8" Dob I just cleaned.
Thanks for the help.
Cheers
Explore Scientific ED80 refractor, Sky-Watcher 200P 8" Dobsonian, Meade 856 w/853 mount and lots of eyepieces, Meade 4550 Newtonian, Sky-Watcher NEQ-3 PRO Hot Rodded with bearings and a whole mess of cameras, lenses, accessories, adapters and 2 cats.
If it has been collecting dust for a long time I have had to place lenses/ mirrors in a large container filled with water/ cleaner for 24+ hours before they would fully clean up.
If you have a camera shop close by you could try using Zeiss wipes or cleaning fluid to see if they will work.
Gabrielle See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885 EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102 Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1000101) The only culture I have is from yogurt
Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Wed Nov 22, 2023 4:18 amIf you have a camera shop close by you could try using Zeiss wipes or cleaning fluid to see if they will work.
Camera shop? Camera shop? Ha! We lost the last one about 3 years ago, sadly a thing if the past in our neck of the woods, and I am near the second largest city in our province. Closest one is now a 10 hour round trip away.
I might try soaking it, thanks for the idea.
Cheers
Explore Scientific ED80 refractor, Sky-Watcher 200P 8" Dobsonian, Meade 856 w/853 mount and lots of eyepieces, Meade 4550 Newtonian, Sky-Watcher NEQ-3 PRO Hot Rodded with bearings and a whole mess of cameras, lenses, accessories, adapters and 2 cats.
I just noticed you are in Vernon, BC where is spent 2015-2019.
I purchased Zeiss lens wipe and cleaning fluid at the London Drugs camera section.
Gabrielle See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885 EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102 Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1000101) The only culture I have is from yogurt
Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Wed Nov 22, 2023 7:23 pm
I just noticed you are in Vernon, BC where is spent 2015-2019.
I purchased Zeiss lens wipe and cleaning fluid at the London Drugs camera section.
That's cool, my son worked in the camera dept. there at that time, 2016-2018, you may have met him.
Let me know if you ever plan to come back for a visit, I should have a decent setup in a year or so, maybe sooner at the rate equipment is arriving here.
Cheers
Explore Scientific ED80 refractor, Sky-Watcher 200P 8" Dobsonian, Meade 856 w/853 mount and lots of eyepieces, Meade 4550 Newtonian, Sky-Watcher NEQ-3 PRO Hot Rodded with bearings and a whole mess of cameras, lenses, accessories, adapters and 2 cats.