How to Connect a Telescope Camera

Sooner or later, photographers who also enjoy astronomy will want to combine them and capture images of the heavens. A couple of inexpensive adapters and a little patience setting up the equipment are all you need before melding the two hobbies together.

Things You'll Need

• SLR or DSLR camera
• T-ring
• T-adapter
• Shutter release (optional)

Instructions

1. Purchase the adapters. A T-ring is made to fit the camera and a T-adapter is made to fit the telescope.

2. Take off the camera's removable lens and screw the T-ring into its place.

3. Thread the T-adapter onto the T-ring.

4. Remove the telescope eyepiece.

5. Insert the camera, ring and adapter assembly into the telescope eyepiece port and tighten down the thumb screws to secure the assembly in place.

6. Thread the shutter release into place. A shutter release is not required but it does help keep the camera steady as you shoot.

Tips & Warnings

• For point and shoot cameras, you can get a bracket system that holds the camera up against the telescope eyepiece. An example of this kind of device is provided in the Resources section.

References

• Celestron: How Do I Connect an SLR Camera to My Telescope?
• Astronomics: Camera Adapters

Resources

• Telescope: SteadyPix Deluxe Camera Mount