Connecting Nikon D7100 to Telescope
Jun 29, 2019 14:55:06 #
I am trying to connect my Nikon D7100 to a telescope. I have a ring adapter, and a borrow lens, but when I try to take a picture it is fuzzy. I am trying to connect to a Dobsonian type of telescope. What am I doing wrong and what do I need. The follow up questions, what would be correct setting on the camera for aperture and ISO?
Jun 29, 2019 15:22:17 #
I am interested in your post. I too have a telescope and a D7100 and a year or so back, I also purchased the ring to connect it but to date have never actually done it. If it works as it looks, it puts the camera lens over the telescope eye piece so that once mounted you would need to focus the telescope and camera. If the telescope was in focus before you mount the camera you would only need to focus the camera. Hope to learn from your post!
Jun 29, 2019 15:46:05 #
dhroberts
Loc: Boston, MA, USA
If you remove the camera’s lens and do not use an eyepiece in the telescope, the telescope will serve as the lens. You will need an adapter to connect the camera body to the telescope; these are easily found on the web for Nikons. Buy it from a telescope retailer to be safe.
To get the camera to focus you may need to use a Barlow lens. This increases the effective focal length of the telescope and moves the focal plane further out.
The technique in which you use an eyepiece in the telescope and a lens on the camera is called “afocal photography.” It is generally inferior to the technique I described above.
To get the camera to focus you may need to use a Barlow lens. This increases the effective focal length of the telescope and moves the focal plane further out.
The technique in which you use an eyepiece in the telescope and a lens on the camera is called “afocal photography.” It is generally inferior to the technique I described above.
Jun 29, 2019 15:56:24 #
IDguy
Loc: Idaho
ziggy_nc wrote:
I am trying to connect my Nikon D7100 to a telescope. I have a ring adapter, and a borrow lens, but when I try to take a picture it is fuzzy. I am trying to connect to a Dobsonian type of telescope. What am I doing wrong and what do I need. The follow up questions, what would be correct setting on the camera for aperture and ISO?
You need to manually focus the telescope using live view on the camera and the telescope’s focus knob. There is no “focusing the camera”.
I think they call the adapter a “ T adapter”.
This is one big advantage of articulated LCDs on D5xxxs.
Methinks you mean Barlow lens.
https://youtu.be/reFxoF3XoaU
Jun 29, 2019 16:13:18 #
ziggy_nc wrote:
I am trying to connect my Nikon D7100 to a telescope. I have a ring adapter, and a borrow lens, but when I try to take a picture it is fuzzy. I am trying to connect to a Dobsonian type of telescope. What am I doing wrong and what do I need. The follow up questions, what would be the correct setting on the camera for aperture and ISO?
Ask in the Astronomical Photography Forum. You'll get more detailed answers.
Jun 29, 2019 17:30:15 #
I just got my attachment out and found I need an adapter to make it work because my lens inserts are 1 inch and the connector is 2 inch. Check this youtube demo, it is very good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ-6iW2xJCg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ-6iW2xJCg
Jun 30, 2019 10:17:03 #
another issue is to keep the telescope perfectly still while taking the picture , vibrations are greatly amplified on a telescope .this could be your problem .
Jun 30, 2019 17:16:19 #
808caver
Loc: Maui
The simple set up would be a release cable, 2" eyepiece adapter w/ a Nikon T-ring. Start with a partially illuminated moon, bright and easy to see. Use the screen magnification function to enlarge a crater as a focus target. Use ISO 800 and 1/500 sec to start and adjust as necessary. The digital camera is a great teaching aid w/ instant feedback. Good Luck!!
Jun 30, 2019 22:21:49 #
DHRoberts is spot on. Use the Telescope lens, but not the eyepiece or your camera lens. Watch your exposure times to keep the images sharp. It does not take long for star streaking to make your images fuzzy
Jul 1, 2019 04:01:04 #
kb6kgx
Loc: Simi Valley, CA
SDigger wrote:
It does not take long for star streaking to make your images fuzzy
It’s been a long time since I’ve done them, but when I used to do “star trail” photos, any exposure longer than 20 or 30 seconds would give a short “trail”. Of course, that was with the camera mounted on a standard tripod without benefit of a proper motor drive as you would have on a telescope.
Jul 1, 2019 06:59:29 #
carl hervol
Loc: jacksonville florida
Why not just buy a book on how to take astro photography from amazon it will tell you everything you will to know you spend a $1000.00 plus on a camera I think you spend $20.00 in a book. 
Jul 1, 2019 10:45:11 #
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.