Meade Photography with the LX80, PHOTOGRAPHY WITH THE LX80, Photography with a Digital Camera

PHOTOGRAPHY WITH THE LX80

Photography with the LX80

Photography using a 35mm camera requires the addition of the optional #62 T–Adapter. See OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, Page 52. With the #62 T-Adapter and a T-mount attached to the telescope, through-the-telescope photography is possible with any 35mm camera body with a removable lens. In this way, the telescope effectively becomes the lens of the camera.

The #62 T-Adapter threads on to the photo port, followed by a T-Mount for the particular brand of 35mm camera being used, followed by the camera body.

To orient an object in the viewfinder of the 35mm camera body, use a small jeweler’s screwdriver to slightly loosen three adjustment screws around the outer knurled ring of the T-Mount. Rotate the camera body to achieve proper orientation of the object, then re-tighten the adjustment screws.

The #62 T–Adapter permits close-coupling of a camera body to the telescope. In this format vignetting occurs: the photographic image appears on film with a slight darkening (vignetting) at the corners of the 35mm frame.

Photography through a long lens such as the LX80 requires special technique for good results, and the photographer should probably expect to waste a roll or two of film in acquiring this technique. Long-lens photography has its own rewards, however, rewards that short-focus lenses cannot duplicate.

A few tips on photography with the LX80:

1.Use the Field Tripod for the telescope. At an effective focal length of 2000mm, even small external vibrations can easily ruin an otherwise good photo.

2.Use a cable-operated shutter release. Touching the camera body to initiate shutter operation almost certainly introduces undesirable vibrations.

3.Focus the image with extreme care. While observing the subject through the camera’s reflex viewfinder, turn the telescope’s focus knob to achieve the sharpest possible focus. Note that some 35mm cameras may have an optional focusing screen (available from the manufacturer) for use with

a	long telephoto lens. This screen provides
a	brighter and clearer image to focus, and is

highly recommended.

4.Correct shutter speeds vary widely, depending on lighting conditions and film used. Trial-and-error is the best way to determine proper shutter speed in any given application.

NOTE: The camera used with your telescope may have an exposure meter that is still active when the standard lens is removed and the body is connected to the telescope with the T–Mount. If used for terrestrial photography, the camera meter should be acceptable. If used for astrophotography, the meter probably will not provide good results since camera meters are not made to compensate for a dark sky.

5.Terrestrial photography through the LX80 is sensitive to heat waves rising from the Earth’s surface. Long distance photography is best accomplished in the early morning hours before the earth has had time to build up heat.

6.Photography of the Moon and planets through the LX80 can be especially gratifying, but points 1 through 4 should be particularly noted in this case. Lunar or planetary photography requires that the telescope be polar aligned. See APPENDIX B, Page 61.

Photography with a Digital Camera

Digital cameras provide some significant advantages to the casual astrophotographer: You do not have to develop the images (instant images), lower costs, computer and internet readiness. And because unwanted photos are easily discarded, they provide the freedom to experiment.

Digital cameras present some problems for the astrophotographer: Many models have lenses that cannot be removed, difficulties in attaching to a telescope, possible vignetting, lack manual focusing and shorter exposure times.

Some tips for better digital photos:

•If you cannot remove the lens to your camera, look for a commercially available digital T-adapter. New solutions for attaching a digital camera to a telescope

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