Have you ever tried to image putting an eyepiece into a camera adapter?
This method is called: eyepiece projection astrophotography. It’s actually spectacular to view or image the Moon like that although it’s not that difficult to do. You only have to be sure that the eyepiece is perfectly aligned with the telescope.
Eyepiece projection astrophotography is used for capturing features of the Moon so that you get to see it in a detailed way. You can of course always use a 2x, 3x, or even 5x Barlow lens instead of this method, but I like to test things out. And when my Barlow lens is in use on my other rig, I can always use this method.
Eyepiece projection on “Waning Moon 31-07-2018”
The image above shows a part of the Moon that was photographed with a 17mm eyepiece in a camera adapter attached to an 8″ Newton telescope.
The equipment I used for this image:
- Telescope: Sky-Watcher Explorer BD N200/1000
- Mount: Sky-Watcher NEQ5 Synscan GoTo
- Camera: Canon EOS 750D
- Camera adapter: brand unknown
- Camera T2-ring adapter M42: Canon EOS
- Eyepiece 17mm Plössl: brand unknown
- Intervalometer: Photospecialist
How it’s done
First, you remove the camera lens, before using a camera adapter with an eyepiece in it. You can use a 17mm or even a 25mm eyepiece. Just experiment with it. The eyepiece should be put correctly in the adapter: it may absolutely not wobble. After that, the camera adapter with the eyepiece should be perfectly aligned when attached to the telescope.
Please, see the following steps below clarified with pictures:
A dslr camera with needed accessories (from left to right):
- camera eye piece projection adapter
- Plössl eye piece 17mm (you can also use another size, for ex. 25mm, and a regular eye piece instead of a Plössl)
- camera T2-ring adapter M42
An intervalometer is also very practical because it prevends the camera from shaking when starting imaging.
First take the camera eye piece projection adapter and the Plössl 17mm eye piece
Then unscrew the attachment ring from the eye piece.
Put the eye piece without the attachment ring in the camera eye piece projection adapter.
Make sure that the eye piece lies flush in the camera eye piece adapter and that the eye piece doesn’t move or wobble in the camera eye piece adapter.
On the upper part of the camera eye piece projection adapter, are two thumb screws.
With these thumb screws you can adjust the magnification of your object, like the Moon or planets, by spreading out the upper part up or down till you reach the magnification that gives you the right focus and thus a sharp view of your object (please, see next image as an example).
Here you see the camera eye piece projection adapter spread out to the maximum.
At last, mount the camera T2-ring adapter M42 to your dslr camera with the camera eye piece projection adapter and the Plössl eye piece in it.
Then attach the camera to the focusser of your telescope. Make sure the camera with eye piece projection adapter is perfectly aligned with your telescope.
Now you’re ready to image!
*Please see the live footage of the Moon image above on YouTube: https://youtu.be/utvX22dq0zc
