Starlight Xpress SXV-M7 - Manual (Page 8)

Handbook for SXV-M7 Issue 1 June 2004
8
It is fairly easy to find the correct focus setting for the camera when using a standard
SLR lens, but quite a different matter when the M7 is attached to a telescope! The
problem is that most telescopes have a large range of focus adjustment and the CCD
needs to be quite close to the correct position before you can discern details well
enough to optimise the focus setting. An additional complication is the need to add
various accessories between the camera and telescope in order that the image scale is
suitable for the subject being imaged and (sometimes) to include a ‘flip mirror’ finder
unit for visual object location.
A simple, but invaluable device, is the ‘par-focal eyepiece’. This is an eyepiece in
which the field stop is located at the same distance from the barrel end, as the CCD is
from the camera barrel end.
When the par-focal eyepiece is fitted into the telescope drawtube, you can adjust the
focus until the view is sharply defined and the object of interest is close to the field
centre. On removing the eyepiece and fitting the CCD camera, the CCD will be very
close to the focal plane of the telescope and should record the stars etc. well enough
for the focus to be trimmed to its optimum setting
Several astronomical stores sell par-focal eyepieces, but you can also make your own
with a minimum of materials and an unwanted Kellner or Plossl ocular.
Just measure a distance of 22mm from the field stop of the eyepiece (equivalent to the
CCD to adaptor flange distance of the camera) and make an extension tube to set the
field stop at this distance from the drawtube end. Cut-down 35mm film cassette
containers are a convenient diameter for making the spacer tube and may be split to
adjust their diameter to fit the drawtube.
Another popular solution to the ‘find and focus’ problem is the ‘flip mirror’ unit.
These operate on a similar principle to the single lens reflex camera, where a hinged
mirror can drop into the light path and reflect the image through 90 degrees into a
viewing eyepiece.
In this case, the camera and eyepiece are made par-focal with each other by locking
up the mirror, focusing the camera on an easy object, such as a moderately bright star