7 replies to this topic

[StargazerLuigi]

I just took delivery of a SpaceCat 51 WIFD (a RedCat, but grey instead). I have a QHY268C camera to attach to it. Now for my potentially stupid questions:

 

Is it better to put the IR/Cut filter at the back of the telescope or in a QHY adapter that is threaded to take that filter? If I put the filter there then it would be easier to swap it out with a duo-band filter, rather than unscrewing all those adapter bits for QHY. Not sure if I just answered my own question 

Is it better to connect the camera with M54 or is that just there to accept the filter, and I should connect with M48? According to the specs the scope has a 45mm image circle, so probably M48 is fine?

 

[soojooko]

When you say "QHY adapter" are you talking about a filter drawer? An M48/54 filter drawer would be the lowest cost solution if you want to be able to swap out filters without unscrewing anything.

 

Can you show us a picture of the adapter?

[StargazerLuigi]

One of the most 'fun' things with QHY gear is their adapter system I have essentially purchased every spacer they have at this point.

 

Here is what I did:

 

I removed the M48 adapter from the back of the scope and screwed in my  UV/IR cut filter (Astronomik L-2).

Then I screwed the camera into the back of the scope. 

 

However, in a previous setup with another telescope, I used their 2.5mm (back focus) adapter ring that the filter screws into. When configured this way, the UV/IR cut filter is closer to the camera. Because of the way QHY adapters screw together, I would have to remove all of the screws to get to that adapter to use a different filter. I also have their filter drawer but I did not use that since in my other setups the back focus was important, whereas with the Space Cat it is not.

 

So the bottom line question is: is it better to have the UV/IR cut filter attached to the back of the scope or close to the camera?

Edited by StargazerLuigi, 17 February 2025 - 02:07 PM.

[soojooko]

So the bottom line question is: is it better to have the UV/IR cut filter attached to the back of the scope or close to the camera?

I'm not sure it matters too much, but if I had the choice, I would have it close to the camera. It's still going to be an annoyance swapping between 2 filters. Have you considered a filter drawer?

[StargazerLuigi]

I do have one of these ... but it would mean giving up two of the screws that connect to the camera.

 

Attached Thumbnails

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[soojooko]

I do have one of these ... but it would mean giving up two of the screws that connect to the camera.

That looks like it will do. But I'm, a bit confused by your comment. What do you mean by "giving up the 2 screws"? 

[StargazerLuigi]

QHY spacers screw into the camera with six screws. But with that filter drawer, two of the screws don't go through, thus they can't reach the camera body. Or I'm mechanically inept, which is entirely possible.

[soojooko]

QHY spacers screw into the camera with six screws. But with that filter drawer, two of the screws don't go through, thus they can't reach the camera body. Or I'm mechanically inept, which is entirely possible.

Did your camera come with an M54 adapter? Looks like the filter drawer has a M54 female thread that should be able to connect to the adapter. I'm not very familiar with QHY cameras but I don't imagine its very complicated.