Meade d C B, Photography, A few tips on photography with the LXD55-Series telescopes

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Fig. 22: LXD55-Series T-Adapter attached to focuser assembly and camera.

(1)Camera Body, (2) T-Adapter,

(3)Focus Knob.

Focuser

Extension

Tube

Fig. 23: Focuser Extension Drawtube with eyepiece holder and eyepiece attached.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Photography through an LXD55 Schmidt-Newtoniantelescope requires an LXD55-Series T- Adapter (supplied) attached to the telescope (Fig. 22). Through-the-telescope photog- raphy is possible with any 35mm camera body with a removable lens. In this way, the tel- escope effectively becomes the lens of the camera.

Unthread the focuser extension tube (Fig. 23) from the focuser drawtube to remove from the focuser assembly. The T-Adapter (2, Fig. 22) threads onto the focuser, fol- lowed by the camera body (1, Fig. 22).

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-Adapter. Rotate the camera body to achieve proper orientation of the object; then re-tighten the adjustment screws.

Photography through a long lens such as the LXD55-Seriesrequires 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, how- ever, rewards that short-focus lenses cannot duplicate.

A few tips on photography with the LXD55-Seriestelescopes:

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

2.Focus the image with extreme care. While observing the subject through the cam- era’s reflex viewfinder, turn the telescope’s focus knob (3, Fig. 22) 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 rec- ommended.

3.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 con- nected to the telescope with the T–Adapter. If used for terrestrial photog- raphy, the camera meter should be acceptable. If used for astrophotogra- phy, the meter probably will not provide good results since camera meters are not made to compensate for a dark sky.

4.Terrestrial photography through the LXD55-Seriesis 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.

5.Photography of the Moon and planets through the LXD55-Seriescan be especial- ly gratifying, but points 1 through 4 should be particularly noted in this case.

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