Hi,

I think I have settled on the Sony F717 to take pics on my Meade LX200 GPS 10". I could not get the 12" as they did not have them in stock in the USA when I went over. (but thats another story)

My question is, is the camera mounted directly onto the telescope with an eypiece or must the eyepieces be taken out? Excuse my ignorance about these things and thanks for all your help.

Regards
Steve

If so and its a "C" mount, you can get adapters that allow you to use your oculars. You might be able to get other types of adapters, but I havent looked for them.

You will need one of those motorized prime-focus units for fine focus, as the backlash on the mirror adjuster is a royal pain. I use the JMI unit, as my old LX-200 didnt have one as an option in those days .

I put JMI's with the digital counter on both focus points. That way you build a table of setting numbers for each of your occulars.

Think this is the sort of adapter which you may be interested in, Jordy. For the likes of planetary work, you would normally leave the eyepiece in the holder.

http://www.hfo.org.uk/Digital%20Camera%20Mountings/digitalcameras.html

In addition to RJ's comments above, don't forget that mirror shift is reduced depending on which way you turn the focus knob to bring an object into focus (with my Celestron, you turn the knob in an anticlockwise direction).


"Class-leading 5 million pixel compact digital camera. The Sony F717 features a superb 5x Carl Zeiss zoom lens, a live hotshoe for using it with external flashguns, a manual zoom / focus ring, manual exposure and a nightshot mode!"


RJ - looking at a pic of this camera, I don't think that the lens is removable.

My focus motor has recently packed up! Not sure if its the motor or the actual lead (nothing wrong with the scope, as the dec motor still works when plugged into the focus motor socket). Might give the plug the snip & try another plug in its place.

Got some colour slides back this morning, taken through a Halpha filter (the deep red version for nebulae from Lumicon). Need to get the scanner from my mate at work (which'll be Tuesday at the earliest ) - but may post one or two here if they scan 'OK'.
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Skype bigdipperandy

the lens is removeable. Since my CCD camera is C-mount, I wont be of much help to him.

What kind of focuser motor do you have? Primary mirror, or prime-focus ?

You can usually troubleshoot the electrical connections with a simple ohm-meter.

Looks identical to the unit below & fits over the focus knob.



Luckily it's not something I use all that much. As you know, I'm pretty slap-dash in my methods when doing astrophotography!

Too much so! One slide has a great image of the Rossette nebula. As I left my baby moinitor unattended, it was a while before I realised that the ST4 had lost the guide star! The result? An image with crap guiding!

Not one that'll make it to the website - but I may post it here anyway, just for a laugh!
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Skype bigdipperandy

Do you know if the plug has a shell that can unscrew? That should allow you to check for a broken wire. If you have a voltmeter you can also test for a voltage coming in on the connector.

Alternately, (with no power applied & disconnected), use an ohmmeter and check for the motors resistance. I'm guessing but you should probably see anywhere from 100 to 500 Ohms (wonder if anyone has actually done this?). If you show no resistance (open circuit), chances are your motor is bad.

If your uncomfortable doing your own testing; ask your friendly neighbourhood ham operator for a quick test.

You might want to add one of those JMI model NGS-F that goes between the scope and the diagonal. It threads directly on to the scope, and you stack the rest of your stuff behind it. It also has an infinitely variable speed control (unlike Meade which only has 4 speeds) for really sharp focus.

No, the plug doesn't have a removable shell (typical). Neither do I have a voltmeter or ohmmeter!

I've got some spare plugs in the shed - so it'll be no big deal just snipping off the existing plug & trying it with another.

I remember two years ago making a similar mistake with my Tuthill heated dew cap. Having noticed that it wasn't heating up any more, I was all set to order an Orion dew heater when I suddendly thought about the plug going in to the cap. A quick test told me that there was no power going to the heater!

So a simple change of plug saved me a packet!
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Skype bigdipperandy

Grab-a-ham, and let him do the diagnostics/repairs. Could save you many Sterling.

Since I have a BsEE, I do my own "stuff" Also helps to be an "old timer" ham operator (1956 for General License), as we can "juryrig" damn near any piece of electronics to "work"

First option is to clean the plugs with USP alcohol to get rid of "crud" that accumulates from exposure to the world.

Its damn hard to troubleshoot your problem from 4,000 miles away, but I will try. Give me all the symptoms in detail.

Gave the plug the old snip & checked the motor. Works fine!

New plug now fitted.

Thanks again, RJ!

Ummm.....what was this thread about again??
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Skype bigdipperandy

considerable strain on the plug. I assume the plug was not molded to the wires.

Well at least its fixed