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Conventional film cameras

Pentax K1000 work with my scope?
Last post 04-04-2007 03:56 PM by tasco-60mm. 4 replies.
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  • 03-12-2007 09:50 AM

    • GeddyE
    • Joined on 02-17-2007
    • Homosassa, Florida
    • Posts 36

    Pentax K1000 work with my scope?

    I got my hands on a Pentax K1000 35mm camera a while back & recently began thinking about using it for astrophotography.

    Does anyone have any opinions or experience mounting a camera like this to a Meade DS2114? After reading the last thread asking a similar question(different camera), I'm wondering if the weight of this camera would be too much weight for the mount.

    I don't really want to shell out the money for the camera setup for my scope if it will be for nothing.

    Anyone? 

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    Equipment:

    Zhumell 8 inch Dobsinian
    Telrad
    Zhumell lenses and filters
    Cheshire collimation tube/lens



    Bushnell 10x50 Binoculars

  • 03-12-2007 10:58 AM In reply to

    Re: Pentax K1000 work with my scope?

    You're right about the weight. Compared to your scope and mount, it's a beast.

    You can use a t-adapter for the Pentax K bayonet to attach an eyepiece barrel-sized adapter to the camera. These are available here.

    You'll want the #TADP and the #TTPK. They're shown here:

    To use these with your scope, I'd advise using a diagonal to direct the optical axis parallel to your scope and resting the camera base on the OTA. When you adjust it for focus, you might need a block of foam between the camera and the OTA. If the focus goes the other direction, you'll likely need a barlow between the adapter and the focuser.

    To provide better balance, slide your OTA more toward the rear of the mount rings. You may find this means that only the camera and focuser are forward of the rings, with most of the rest of the scope on the rear side.

    You are only going to be able to photograph the Moon this way. Your mount is not acceptable for longer exposures needed for DSOs and the image of even Jupiter or Saturn given your focal length is going to be very, very small on film, even with a barlow.

    But you can start out with the Afocal method, supporting your camera on a photo tripod and suspending it over the eyepiece. You'll find this easiest when the Moon is high in the sky. It takes a bit of practice to time it so the Moon is in the field of view for more than one shot. If you use this method, just be sure to keep the camera's focal plane as near as possible to perpendicular to the optical axis of the eyepiece tube adapter.

    I think you'll find that using a webcam or something like the DSI, LPI, or NexImage cameras instead of a 35mm SLR will make this much, much easier and will certainly give you better results.

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  • 03-12-2007 02:33 PM In reply to

    • tkerr
    • Joined on 01-02-2004
    • Coastal North Carolina USA.
    • Posts 8,664

    Re: Pentax K1000 work with my scope?

    I have a Meade 114mm reflector that I have mounted on my CG5 Mount for more stability. I tried using my Pentax 35mm at prime focus with it and found that I couldn't get a good focused image with it.  I tried everything I have and it didn't help.  I don't know if it was becuase of the size of the secondary mirror or what. But the images I got from it really sucked. There was excessive vignetting and very low resolution, the contrast was horrible. The best I could do with that telescope was some lunar afocal images with a Kodak Easyshare. Even those weren't that great.

    However, don't let that stop you from giving it your best shot.It will never hurt to try giving it your best effort.  Maybe you will have better luck than I did.  I am only telling you my experience so you won't hold high expectation and be in for any disappointments. Even if you have a similar experience you will have the camera and adapters you will need if you ever choose to get another telescope and mount. Who knows, you may even get a surprise and get some nice images.  

     

    Have A Nice _________ 

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    Tim Kerr
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    Equipment:
    Orion XT10 Classic, Celestron C6 R-GT w/updated CG5 GT mount, C80ED
    Canon EOS 350D, Meade DSI II Color CCD, Phillips SPC900NC WebCam
  • 03-13-2007 04:42 PM In reply to

    • GeddyE
    • Joined on 02-17-2007
    • Homosassa, Florida
    • Posts 36

    Re: Pentax K1000 work with my scope?

    Thanks for the advice guys. Most appreciated!
    Signature
    Equipment:

    Zhumell 8 inch Dobsinian
    Telrad
    Zhumell lenses and filters
    Cheshire collimation tube/lens



    Bushnell 10x50 Binoculars

  • 04-04-2007 03:56 PM In reply to

    • tasco-60mm
    • Joined on 06-29-2006
    • alpha cygnuss II delta quadrant
    • Posts 1,219

    Re: Pentax K1000 work with my scope?

    dont waste your time and money- a film camera wont work with that alt/az tripod- if you get anything it will be trial and error lunar shots with the cost of film and developing , a simple digital cam help to an EP will blow it away even afocal- i have gotten nice results with film- but only after rolls and rolls of film and using a CG5 EQ mount with tracking
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