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Astrophotography and Sketching >> Solar System Imaging & Processing

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kevin M13
member


Reged: 03/07/09
Posts: 93
SCTs and Focusers
      #3426454 - 11/02/09 10:59 PM

How many of you folks with SCTs use aux focusers? I have heard they are a must have. I have been imaging with a refractor so have not had to deal with focus shift.

Kevin


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retina boy
super member


Reged: 11/20/06
Posts: 173
Loc: Bryan, Texas
Re: SCTs and Focusers new [Re: kevin M13]
      #3426517 - 11/02/09 11:28 PM

I added a Moonlight to my C11 and it made a really big difference for me. With long focal lengths, it is difficult to keep the image on the chip with the focus shift inherent in the standard focuser. I also added robofocus at the same time and that made an equally large difference. Not to say it can't be done with the standard focuser, it just gets tiresome after a while. CS

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Derek

CPC1100, Astronomik RGB, Skynyx 2-0M

Project: TEC cooled C14




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Freddy WILLEMS
Carpal Tunnel


Reged: 11/13/05
Posts: 2561
Loc: Hawaii, Honolulu
Re: SCTs and Focusers new [Re: retina boy]
      #3426650 - 11/03/09 12:22 AM

The Meade has a zereshift focuser, remote, so I can use it with my Autostar software, remote.
The C14" has a moonlite focuser AND the Meade zeroshift focuser, this is all to achieve as good focus as possible while imaging..., All is remote controlled by software.

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Freddy

Meade 14" LX200 GPS UHTC GPS on permanent pier
Celestron C 14" Peltier cooled for planetary imaging.
Meade 10" LX200 & TITAN 50:1 mount Gemini 'go to'
Meade 127 mm f/9 APO & TITAN 50:1 mount Gemini 'go to'
W/O 102 mm f/7 APO doublet
Orion 80 mm f/7 ED

DFK 21AU04.AS
ToUcam 840 II pro
Canon 10D Unmoddified
Canon 40D Hutech moddified


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Mert
Carpal Tunnel
*****

Reged: 08/31/05
Posts: 1804
Loc: Spain, Pamplona
Re: SCTs and Focusers new [Re: Freddy WILLEMS]
      #3427556 - 11/03/09 02:13 PM

Wow, all out there is remotely controlled, how
I wish I did some of my homework on that!
Still boiling up plans for a USB controlled
remote setup for focussing.
Ingredients on this side are a Moonlight focusser,
without stepper still, but that isn't hard to change
I've got plans to build some little gadget that
will do the trick.

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------------------
Mert
42º49"N 1º38"W
3" Polarex refractor
6" F12 SW Maksutov,CS2-S
EQ6 + EQMOD
SPC900NC/DFK21AU04.AS
My web-page don't laugh, I should make it better!


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Andy Taylor
twistin' by the pool
*****

Reged: 09/24/08
Posts: 445
Loc: t=0 UK
Re: SCTs and Focusers new [Re: kevin M13]
      #3434196 - 11/07/09 07:04 AM Attachment (3 downloads)

Quote:

How many of you folks with SCTs use aux focusers? I have heard they are a must have. I have been imaging with a refractor so have not had to deal with focus shift.

Kevin




Here is my solution to mirror shift and focuser shift...

The electrical focuser is built into the webcam housing.

The shaft to the rear houses the micromotor and gearbox. This drives a shaft via a screwthread/leadscrew arrangment. The webcam (ToUcam pro with 900 firmware)is mounted on a faceplate on the front of the shaft.

Two limit switches prevent overrun and limit the travel to about 3mm. The LEDs show direction of travel and if the limit switch has been tripped.

This all plugs into the junction box on my mount. The drive controller handset has the focuser controls at the bottom. A rocker switch for direction and a speed knob for fine/coarse adjustment.

Top speed is around 0.3mm/sec and can be adjusted down to around 0.003mm/sec...

NO image shift, NO backlash, NO image rotation. Fits any scope...

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--------------------------------------------------
Equipment list of shame:

A strange heap of assorted junk that when thrown together and dragged out into the dark shows me the wonders of the universe...

And then dews up...


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