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Review of RafCamera custom made adapters
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Review of RafCamera custom made adapters
by Julian (LSDN)
Some info on me…
I have two telescopes:
Explore Scientific 127mm with a ZWOASI533MC-Pro camera and a PrimaLuce Lab Sesto Senso 2 Electronic Focuser
Askar 65PHQ with ZWOASI294MC-Pro and wanted to fit an electronic focuser
I live in the Welsh Borders and have 5 years experience
The Sesto Senso2 will not fit on the Askar as the shaft of the native focuser is 20 mm. PLL do not make a 20 mm adapter and confirmed that they would not make me a custom adapter. The Esatto 2" would work if I could find a suitable adapter.
I discovered RafCamera on Cloudy Nights and sent an email asking if Raf could make one. The response was immediate and affirmative. Once I had measured the OTA connection, found the technical diagram for the Esatto connection from the manual and sent them to Raf, I had the technical drawing to sign off on within a few minutes. I asked for the higher quality anodising treatment, which takes a bit longer - which Raf said was the best choice and that it would be his only offering in the future - and I placed my order after being reassured that there would not be problems due to shipping from Belarus.
He did not want payment up front. The item was duly made, anodised and shipped. On shipping I was asked for payment (in US $ which came to approx £52) and Raf confirmed that delivery should be between 3 and 6 weeks. I received the tracking details. The adapter was successfully tracked to Minsk, where it cleared exit customs and thereafter it was "in transit" on both the Belarus tracking website and the Royal Mail tracking website. Three weeks after it was sent it was delivered by Royal Mail with no warning.
I am very pleased to say that it fits perfectly, I had measured the focusing distance accurately and had the right spacers, so when I assembled the new optical path I was able to focus despite the very short draw tube adjustment of the Esatto. I also fitted the PLL Arco field rotator so that I can control the focusing and rotation of the camera sensor, via ASCOM, in SharpCap. I am delighted with the images that I have obtained with the new set up - just wish I had more clear skies.
In short, I’m delighted with the experience of using RafCamera and would use them again if the need arose. Patience is required as anodising and shipping does take time (though you could opt for express delivery for a higher price)
Picture attached of a close up of the adapter in situ - click on the picture to launch a full-sized (2113 x 1409 pixels) version.
Regards,
Julian (LSDN)
- xforcharlie, Eric Weder, gundark and 1 other like this
4 Comments
Funny story: I was looking for a APM UFF 30mm adapter to DSLR , and found a M45x0.75 female to M42x0.75 (T2) male thread adapter at RafCamera. Ordered one and also a M48 flangless one. All nice and easy but... totally missed it's in Belarus ... With the name Pankratau and the white-blue theme on the delivery site , I was 101% certain it was Greece Only when our postal office delivered the package for the huge sum of 2.5$ and I saw the stamps and lettering it dawned to me. The adapters fit perfectly and the delivery was in time regardless some ongoing events.
I have had a special adapter by Raf and my story is exactly the same. He is a great guy to work with and I would recommend him to anyone. One note, if you order items from his website it shows where the item is located. Often there some in the USA, and those take just a few days for delivery. If they’re coming from Belarus, that shipping story seems to be common. It will come eventually, but randomly.
On Christmas day I had the luxury of opening a rather large box with the Sharpstar Z4. I already had the Esatto 2" and Arco 2" that I use on an SCT for planetary. With the planets gone at the time I measured up and contacted Teleskop Express in Germany. I accepted full well that I had ordered in the small hours of boxing day and that it would be a while. To my surprise a few hours later they asked me how long I wanted the adapter. I confirmed straight away and was told that due to the festive period it would likely take 2-3 weeks.
Well 9 days later I had in my possession a beautifully made adapter. Made to precision and I know because my sky model confirmed I had no orthogonal error. To put it into context, this is post Brexit and everything needs to go through customs checking, courier asked for the customs charge to be paid before releasing the package for delivery and this took up 2 days. So it took them a week to schedule the job, have it made to perfection and built like a tank. Well lets just say Teleskop Express is now my go2 place
RAF Camera has the only m53 adapters I could find for my Vixen FL80S. The M53 to 2" eyepiece holder worked perfectly. It did take a little time to cross the Atlantic to Michigan and the package was pretty beat up but I am extremely pleased overall with the fit, finish and service.