Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/11/24
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I finally decided that it'd be nice to be able to make some simple astrophotographs with my newly-acquired Leica R4sP. Finding the means to connect a Leica R camera to a telescope took some doing, but here's what I found: http://www.astronomy-mall.com/telescope-warehouse/ T-ring for Leica R/Leicaflex ($10 + postage) It's an NOS Celestron part made in Japan. http://www.astro-physics.com under Products:Accessories:Photographic, they're item PFCT Camera adaptor without T-ring ($43) and CEP000 Eyepiece Projection Tele Extender ($40) Prices include UPS shipping. I just took delivery of the PFCT (fits 2" focuser only) and it's a beautiful piece of machining and looks extra-secure, so no worries about Leicas crashing to the ground. Despite modest accessory prices, Astro-Physics quality looks really good. Until recently, they also had some of the lowest prices around on apochromatic refractor telescopes, but there's quite a waiting list for all of them-well over a year. Fortunately, the little things are in stock and take only a few days to arrive. http://www.edmundscientific.com/Products/Search.cfm?query=leica They have Leica *M* t-rings too! Expensive though. The combo of Celestron T-ring and Astro-Physics camera adaptor let me use my telescope as a 500/5 telephoto lens, fitting directly into the standard 2" focuser in place of the diagonal and eyepiece. I want more magnification for photographing planets (the views of Jupiter and Saturn are magnificent right now), so I'll be opting for the A-P eyepiece projection device too. As the R4sP lacks any kind of mirror pre-release, it's probably not the best SLR for the job, but I'll look over the prints before passing judgement. The viewfinder lights turn on even on the mechanical "B" setting, so it's best to remove the batteries before doing long time exposures. Jeff Segawa Seeing stars in Boulder, CO