Astrophotography Adapters and Kit Nos. 42,258-262; 42,273; & 72,063 ‘The Astrophoto System Adapter Kit provides the edapters and extension tubes necessary to couple a 35 mm SLR camera to a telescope in the various arrangements required for astrophotography. Prime Focus, Eyepiece Projection and Barlow Projection methods of astrophotography are all accommodated (See Fig. 1.) Combined with a “T-compatible”’ adapter (not included), these precision components rigidly support a camera (no auxiliary mounting rods or brackets needed). The Astrophoto Adapter Kit was designed for use with a 2" I.D. focusing mount such as that used on the Space Challenger 6” Telescope (available separately as No. 72,049). The following instructions are primarily intended to give the specific arrangements of the kit components for astrophotography with a reflecting telescope. Detailed information on film, guiding, image size, exposure, etc., can be found in the booklet Photography With Your Telescope”, No. 9078, included with the Astrophoto Adapter Kit. If you are generally unfamiliar with the methods of astrophotography, try the various component arrangements in the daytime. Choose a distant target (over a mile away). NOTE: Never attempt to view or hotograph_the sun. Permanent damage to your camera can result. COMPONENT ASSEMBLIES. pee FOCUS ADAPTER Pame focus EVEPECE/aactow [pene toarree B 4 vervice ' + > CAMERA ProseTion | Promeren — 7g Lemma | peas 7 7 TE cow ine T Conibareace evénsca/aanconi , Aeanren Rene yibd anaes, CMs T rireneo tun Zo, oi rence baste Bariow Sand T TROECTION. | PROJECTION. Gp peecow seus\ | porto ruse pence FIG. £ EDMUND SCIENTIFIC CO. 150 EDSCORP BUILDING BARRINGTON, NEW JERSEY 08007 U.S.A.PARTS LIST For Astrophoto Adapter 1 Prime Focus Adapter (2 with full bore) 1 Eyepiece/Barlow Projection Adapter (2 diameter to ‘T-mount thread with 1%" bore to accept standard eyepiece or Barlow lens) 1 Allen wrench for above 1 Barlow Tube 1 Extension Tube 12.5 mm ‘Male T-mount thread at 1 Extension Tube 25 mm ‘one end, female T-mount 1 Extansion Tube 80 mm thread atthe other 1 1 No. 72,063 ymeter to T-mount thread Extension Tube 100 mm Booklet, “Photography With Your Telescope” Instructions \daptor required for astrophotography— purchate separately Your 35 mm camera must have an interchangeable Jens with through the lens focusing. The Astrophoto Adapter System was designed around T-mount standard threads. Your camera body (minus lens) couples into this system by means of a “T-compatible” adapter. Since there are many different types and sizes of lens mounts among 35 mm cameras, the “T-compatible” adapter must be ‘ordered for your particular camera. See list below: Camera Number Pentax 40,960 Exacta 40,959 Miranda 40.958 Minolta 40,957 Nikon 40,956 Canon 41,819 For other cameras, contact the Edmund Sales Engineering Department to determine availability and price. Prime Focus Photography (Also called “Direct Objective”) Prime Focus astrophotography (Fig. 2) uses the mirror of your telescope to form an image directly ‘onto film—just as a camera lens does. Focusing this, image is accomplished by adjusting the rack and pinion on the telescope focusing mount. It will probably be necessary to drill new mirror mount holes and move the primary mirror 2%-3" forward in the tube. This will allow the image formed by the mirtor to focus far enough outside of the eyepiece focusing tube to accommodate the combined thickness of a 35 mm camera body and “"T-compatible” adapter (approximately 55 mm). The mirror should be in this forward position only for the Prime Focus method of astrophotography. NOTE: If you own the Edmund Space Challenger 6” Telescope it is only necessary to move the mirror mount to the forward set of mounting holes. Also, make sure you Use the larger of the two diagonal mirrors supplied with the telescope. Eyepiece Projection The Eyepiece Projection method (Fig. 3) of ‘astrophotography uses an eyepiece to pick up the Prime Focus image formed by your telescope’s mirror and projects this image onto the film in your camera, The eyepiece, in this case, acts in the same fashion as the lens in a slide projector. The size of the projection image will depend upon the focal length of the eyepiece and the eyepiece to film distance. With any given eyepiece, the magnification will vary with ifferent extension tube combinations. Below is a chart giving the extension tube lengths necessary to produce the indicated magnifications with three different eyepiece focal lengths. The extension tubes are used either alone or in combination to provide the appropriate distance between the eyepiece and film The combined thickness of the camera body and PRIIWE FOCUS. crmena | ' FORWARD is ; mnede Pasir yt —_— ! “7 COMPATIBLE EYEPIECE PROJECTION ADAPTER. FIG.2 BPAPTER Eremece/Barcow “T-Comparis.e” PROJECTION ADAPTER BrAPTEe FIG. 3BARLOW PROJECTION BARLOW LENS: (MCELL) “"T-compatible” Adapter (65 mm) has already been taken into account in the formulation of the chart, Simply use the extension tube lengths indicated. Required Extension Tube Langths lin mn) ‘Approximate Magnification ax 6K BK 10x 25mm 12537528 BTS Fie mm 75 52s 180 2% mm 75 128175, Eyepiece Focal Additional spacing data as well as the formulae used to calculate eyepiece or Barlow projection systems is, given in the booklet “Photography With Your Telescope.” Focusing the image, in all three methods of astrophotography mentioned, is accomplished by racking the telescope focusing tube in or out while observing through your 35mm SLR camera. Focusing done after the necessary adapters and extension bes have been assembled. NOTE: Always use at least one extension tube in the Eyepiece Projection Method of astrophotography. This will prevent an EDMUND SCIENTIFIC CO. 150 EDSCORP BUILDING BARRINGTON, NEW JERSEY 08007 USA EXTENSION TUBE “7-Compariace” ADAPTER eyepiece from entering the camera body and causing possible damage. For the same reason, the eyepiece should be secured in place inside the Eyepiece/Barlow Projection Adapter by the set screw. An Allen wrench is supplied for this purpose. Barlow Projection A negative lens (called a Barlow) inserted in the light path of a telescope, between the mirror and the prime focus, causes an enlarged image to form a distance beyond the original focus. The location of this image and the magnification obtained depend upon the focal length of the Barlow lens and its distance inside the light path. A special Barlow tube is included in the Astrophoto Adapter Kit. Remove the Barlow lens cell (with lens included) from your Edmund Achromatic or Goodwin Barlow and place it inside this tube at the same location shown in Fig. 4. The steeply curved side of the lens should face the camera. If you have used the lens and cell from the Edmund Achromatic Barlow, use the split retaining rings to hold the cell in place. Secure the assembled Barlow tube in the Eyepiece/Barlow Projection Adapter with the set screw. The end of the tube opposite the Barlow lens should be flush with the threaded side of the adapter. (See Fig. 4.) Choose an appropriate extension tube for the magnification factor desired.