Telescope

[Red Squirrel]

my bad..I thought he was talking about camera tripods for big lenses...

View attachment 132301

I am, but the issue is that unlike a telescope there is only 1 point of contact. You can spend tons on a tripod for a camera but it's still only 1 screw, that's the point where it wobbles. The way the telescopes are made have multiple points of contact (usually 1 on each side of the tube) so they are more stable.


Speaking of telescopes here's a nice one I found.

Explore Scientific 20" Newtonian Truss Tube Dobsonian Telescope With Accessories - DOB2036-00

EXPLORE SCIENTIFIC 20" NEWTONIAN TRUSS TUBE DOBSONIAN TELESCOPE WITH ACCESSORIES - DOB2036-00

telescopescanada.ca

 

[Greenman]

I am, but the issue is that unlike a telescope there is only 1 point of contact. You can spend tons on a tripod for a camera but it's still only 1 screw, that's the point where it wobbles. The way the telescopes are made have multiple points of contact (usually 1 on each side of the tube) so they are more stable.


Speaking of telescopes here's a nice one I found.

Explore Scientific 20" Newtonian Truss Tube Dobsonian Telescope With Accessories - DOB2036-00

EXPLORE SCIENTIFIC 20" NEWTONIAN TRUSS TUBE DOBSONIAN TELESCOPE WITH ACCESSORIES - DOB2036-00

telescopescanada.ca

Couldn't afford a good one?

 

[Brainonska511]

I am, but the issue is that unlike a telescope there is only 1 point of contact. You can spend tons on a tripod for a camera but it's still only 1 screw, that's the point where it wobbles. The way the telescopes are made have multiple points of contact (usually 1 on each side of the tube) so they are more stable.

You'd probably need to find a way to connect a dovetail plate to a lens ring and the camera body if you wanted something more stable.

My 6" SCT has a single dovetail and it attaches to the single arm of my tripod, and it's fine. You don't need a fork mount for stability

Speaking of telescopes here's a nice one I found.

Explore Scientific 20" Newtonian Truss Tube Dobsonian Telescope With Accessories - DOB2036-00

EXPLORE SCIENTIFIC 20" NEWTONIAN TRUSS TUBE DOBSONIAN TELESCOPE WITH ACCESSORIES - DOB2036-00

telescopescanada.ca

Yeah, don't buy a 20" Newtonian unless you're prepared to lug it. Sure, it'll provide nice views, but it is a beast. The best telescope is the one you'll routinely use, otherwise it will just collect dust.

 

[sdifox]

You'd probably need to find a way to connect a dovetail plate to a lens ring and the camera body if you wanted something more stable.

My 6" SCT has a single dovetail and it attaches to the single arm of my tripod, and it's fine. You don't need a fork mount for stability


Yeah, don't buy a 20" Newtonian unless you're prepared to lug it. Sure, it'll provide nice views, but it is a beast. The best telescope is the one you'll routinely use, otherwise it will just collect dust.

Red is buying it for his off grid property. No light pollution, but probably has wildlife problems.

 

[Brainonska511]

Red is buying it for his off grid property. No light pollution, but probably has wildlife problems.

I'm surprised he would buy a premade telescope and not simply buy all the equipment to make bespoke mirrors, since he seems to like doing things the difficult way.

 

[sdifox]

I am, but the issue is that unlike a telescope there is only 1 point of contact. You can spend tons on a tripod for a camera but it's still only 1 screw, that's the point where it wobbles. The way the telescopes are made have multiple points of contact (usually 1 on each side of the tube) so they are more stable.


Speaking of telescopes here's a nice one I found.

Explore Scientific 20" Newtonian Truss Tube Dobsonian Telescope With Accessories - DOB2036-00

EXPLORE SCIENTIFIC 20" NEWTONIAN TRUSS TUBE DOBSONIAN TELESCOPE WITH ACCESSORIES - DOB2036-00

telescopescanada.ca

Arca-Swiss rail has been around since the 90s.

 

[Red Squirrel]

You'd probably need to find a way to connect a dovetail plate to a lens ring and the camera body if you wanted something more stable.

My 6" SCT has a single dovetail and it attaches to the single arm of my tripod, and it's fine. You don't need a fork mount for stability


Yeah, don't buy a 20" Newtonian unless you're prepared to lug it. Sure, it'll provide nice views, but it is a beast. The best telescope is the one you'll routinely use, otherwise it will just collect dust.

I had thought of custom fabbing something but never really got around to it. I'm thinking some sort of platform that the camera and lens actually sits on tightly then the whole platform is setup on some sort of high precision actuator to go up and down, and then a rotary platform, like a lazy suzan to move left/right. All this could be driven by 2 servos. It would probably be easier to just buy a telescope though. Those mounts are already designed from ground up to move a heavy object in both axies without much play.

The 10" newtonians seem to be the sweet spot for high end and semi affordable. Can get one for a couple grand. Eventually I might splurge.

 

[spacejamz]

I had thought of custom fabbing something but never really got around to it. I'm thinking some sort of platform that the camera and lens actually sits on tightly then the whole platform is setup on some sort of high precision actuator to go up and down, and then a rotary platform, like a lazy suzan to move left/right. All this could be driven by 2 servos. It would probably be easier to just buy a telescope though. Those mounts are already designed from ground up to move a heavy object in both axies without much play.

The 10" newtonians seem to be the sweet spot for high end and semi affordable. Can get one for a couple grand. Eventually I might splurge.

Not sure how much this helps but here is my setup for my sony with 400-800 lens with that tripod and a gimbal head...it works great for airshows and moon pics

 

[Red Squirrel]

What kind of mount setup is that, it doesn't look anything like a regular camera tripod, is it specific to the lens? That does look like a much higher end lens that I have. Mine just has a regular camera style mounting bracket on it.

 

[sdifox]

What kind of mount setup is that, it doesn't look anything like a regular camera tripod, is it specific to the lens? That does look like a much higher end lens that I have. Mine just has a regular camera style mounting bracket on it.

Lens is mounted on a Arca-Swiss rail. Camera is just hanging off the lens mount. Then the Arca-Swiss rail is mounted on a gimbal tripod head. Fairly typical setup, I would have some weight hanging from the tripod but this is probably just a quick photo showing you how it is done so not critical.

Arca-Swiss Quick Release System Explained

photographylife.com

For filming they usually add a cage to the camera and the cage can be mounted to a arm gimbal or body gimbal.

Example

 

[spacejamz]

Lens is mounted on a Arca-Swiss rail. Camera is just hanging off the lens mount. Then the Arca-Swiss rail is mounted on a swivel tripod head. Fairly typical setup, I would have some weight hanging from the tripod but this is probably just a quick photo showing you how it is done so not critical.

Arca-Swiss Quick Release System Explained

photographylife.com

For filming they usually add a cage to the camera and the cage can be mounted to a arm gimbal or body gimbal.

Example

it is a pretty beefy tripod that really doesn't need any extra weight but there is a hook to easily do it...according to the specs, it weighs 6.3 lbs....

I don't have any issues at all taking moon pics with it even if there is a breeze (using a remote shutter release or timer)...

 

[spacejamz]

here is the gimbal head. it rotates very smoothly between left/right and up/down...

https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Professional-Aluminum-Structure-Panoramic/dp/B098QG2JB8/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1H6O5XOC7Z71X&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.oD4ue3awJgx47IG1Ogi1Ha6BA0TsE_460ZIzZdi4OZY2qBJiWbKsPi7bWy8IGsiErTkc1pZOUW4dP6IjrvAg-Yh_IVeAVGxCvWj0yxvCX_6a9klPtA8JDwtq0HliTRk-9fn8JikSXNF8h_11OitZV06XqNodQRJ8uzHhvuJ0FTdQRKk03SfsD-sy9J-i-Zap6OAcfpVtqcnt5NYtVZIFOgVWNZqNLB_RhBRZtCQoexxUdyTtXVv8sUzgqHkPQ2Oaz6bIE_oWFXpI54qOhSDugtYy1WJURH1KujGkkbeDJdQ.VXI6DelQYyeVOD7l72Awv9l1S-1_zFEMCFFxcy4gy28&dib_tag=se&keywords=neewer%2Bgimbal&qid=1761085808&s=electronics&sprefix=neweer%2Bgimbal%2Celectronics%2C118&sr=1-1&th=1

does add some weight to the setup but it is worth it...

 

[sdifox]

it is a pretty beefy tripod that really doesn't need any extra weight but there is a hook to easily do it...according to the specs, it weighs 6.3 lbs....

I don't have any issues at all taking moon pics with it even if there is a breeze (using a remote shutter release or timer)...

I am a klutz. I would attach the tripod to a floor anchor if given the chance.

 

[sdifox]

This is my sling quick release connector/Arca-Swiss plate so I can switch between sling and tripod easily. I have actually managed to drop my camera from the sling. Was trying to release strap position lock but released quick connect instead

I even undid the quick release rotational lock...