I am getting all the bits together to be able to put another Canon 200mm prime lens on the mini-WASP top plate. I will use an M26C camera from the top TS80 scope and will put an eyepiece (shock-horror) into the TS80. I haven’t actually looked through an eyepiece in years.
Goods that have arrived so far:
1) Canon 200mm f#2.8 prime lens.
2) Set of beefy scope rings to hold the lens and camera.
3) Several 72mm – 52mm step-down rings to hold a 52mm IDAS filter in front of the 200mm lens.
4) A 52mm IDAS filter.
5) A Geoptik adapter for fitting the 200mm lens to an M26C OSC.
I am making up a pair of Aluminium mounting blocks that go between the scope rings and the top plate. I will put two mounting holes into the scope rings to prevent twist – they only come with one tapped hole.
I am awaiting delivery of a 4th Paramount counterweight as the 3 that are already on there are right at the bottom of the counterweight shaft, i.e. I can’t put any more weight on top until I get the extra counterweight.
I am also awaiting delivery of a whole bunch of Allen bolts for the scope ring mountings.
So it’s all slowly coming together. I will also put the Robofocus from the TS80 onto the 200mm lens and see if I can get it autofocusing (I know this is a non-trivial exercise).
As it looks like it will be clear tonight, I have put the 72mm – 52mm step-down adapter on the original 200mm lens and fitted a 52mm IDAS filter. I set the lens to f#2.8 (i.e. wide open) and I will check yo see if there are any diffraction spikes or not. If there are still spikes I will put an aperture in the Geoptik to cover whatever part of the lens iris is showing.
Busy, busy 🙂 🙂
