Equipment Preparations

Part of the fun is to re-arrange the equipments to prepare future exploration.

On the next morning, I placed the whole motorised SCT focuser into the 85mm refractor via a SCT 2" nosepiece.

I found that it reaches focus without problem.  I can use autofocusing next time, expect better results.  The light pollution filter could also be attached to the 2" nosepiece.  

Quite elegant.  The 85mm refractor focuser could be used for rough focusing while the motorised one could be driven by the ASIAir for final fine tuning.  It could be great for adjustments when doing imaging, like switching target, thermal expansion or contraction during the session.

The whole SCT focuser could be plugged back to the SCT, simply plug and play.  Miuch easier than removing and re-installing the focusing motor.

I have also focused my guiding scope on distant object, fine tune and then locked the drawtube in a good position, minor tweaking could be done via the helical focuser.

I am planning to sell my Canon FD 300mm f2.8, I won't be using it any more.  Don't get me wrong, it is good when you don't want guiding.  300mm is moderate enough and f2.8 is fast enough for that situation, so the Herscules adapter with filter drawer will be up for sales too.

I will keep the Canon EF 200mm f2.8 however, for other type of photography, and also some wider field imaging, again when guiding is not required.

I have placed the SCT reducer on my Meade 8" for lower power observation, I would prefer that unless I do planet imaging.  I will try deep sky imaging with it later.