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Pentax/Praktica M42 screw thread SLR lenses

DSI-Wide Camera lens and cradle adaptor kit for Meade DSI CCD camera (to take Pentax thread lenses)

AC593

69.99

Olympus OM fit bayonet SLR lenses

DSI-Wide Camera lens and cradle adaptor kit for Meade DSI CCD camera (to take Olympus OM lenses)

AC594

79.99

Nikon AI fit bayonet SLR lenses

DSI-Wide Camera lens and cradle adaptor kit for Meade DSI CCD camera (to take Nikon AI lenses)

AC595

79.99

Canon EOS fit bayonet SLR lenses

DSI-Wide Camera lens and cradle adaptor kit for Meade DSI CCD camera (to take Canon EOS lenses)

AC596

79.99

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Flat plates

General purpose
mounting rings

AC504

99.99

mounting
General purpose mountings rings for attachment
to flat ring-tops and plates.

Designed primarily for supporting CCD autoguider scopes, our GP rings can be fitted to any suitable flat surface (on top of existing support rings or on mounting/dovetail plates) and can be used for a variety mounting and astro photography tasks. A second flat area on the ring allows either the attachment of a ball-and-socket head for camera fitting or two sets of rings to be locked together to mount two telescopes side by side. The rings are precision manufactured from aluminium in our workshops and are finished in anodic black dye. Three adjustment screws, 120 degrees apart with plastic tip protection, are fitted to each ring and are designed to clamp the scope rigidly in place, but also to allow quick star centering for CCD autoguiding work or simple, main-scope alignment for astro photography.

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2” eyepiece holders on all telescopes

1.25” to 2” off-axis adaptor for CCD auto-guiding and astro-photography

AC623

29.99

ac623
1.25” to 2” off-axis eyepiece adaptor
Designed for CCD auto-guiding and astro-photography

From a side view this adaptor looks like a standard 1.25” to 2” eyepiece adaptor ­ but from above or below things look very different! The off-axis positioning of the 1.25” hole is designed to allow CCD auto-guiders (or other cameras) to be rotated in the 2” eyepiece holder and progressively sample the whole 2” eyepiece field rather than just the centre. Normally if your auto-guider scope is supported in rings, you would need to either fiddle with the rings or change the primary scope’s pointing position ­ not very convenient. This simple modification to a standard adaptor lets you easily investigate the whole field of view of your scope by simply rotating the adaptor ­ very convenient. Surprisingly the adaptor allows nearly 16mm of lateral movement across the field. Obviously this product is only suitable for use with scopes fitted with a 2” focuser. The off-axis adaptor has two brass chrome-plated lock screws, and is supplied with an additional two hard nylon thumb screws to allow greater slippage control if required. The adaptor nosepiece has an anti-slip recess and is threaded for standard 2” filters. The adaptor is CNC precision-machined from aluminium and has a black anodized finish.

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All ring mounting systems

Star-Chaser AG70
70x700mm f10 refractor for CCD auto-guiding

AC570

179.99

star
The Star-Chaser AG70
At last, a quality lightweight refractor designed with the
specialist needs of CCD auto-guiding in mind
The Star-Chaser is designed to appeal to anyone who intends to use a CCD or other form of imaging auto- guider for astrophotography. Its 70mm f10 design incorporates features that will delight the sophisticated astro-photographer. The all-metal focuser features Teflon guides to improve focus tube rigidity, robust drawtube lock, and oversized aluminium focus knobs for smooth precise focusing. Unlike most other small refractors commonly pressed into service for auto-guiding tasks, the Star-Chaser focuser has been designed to keep the prime focus point as close to the drawtube lock as possible to minimise flexure. The rear support ring holding screws sit in a specially designed groove to prevent slipping and flexure when the telescope is pointing at high altitudes. Supplied complete with dew shield and finished in a matching blue to complement your Meade instrument, the Star-Chaser looks as good as it performs. Mounting ring sets are available separately. See below for general-purpose rings and “Accessories for Meade LX SCT range of telescopes” off the Product Directory menu for scope model listing. We recommend a counterbalance system be employed with this product - see LX SCT section off the Product Directory menu.

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Star-Chaser AG70 (AC570)
Technical specifications

Lens design.....................................
Aperture.........................................
Focal length....................................
Focuser .........................................
Weight (without rings).....................
Overall length (min. focus)...............
Maximum between rings..................

Air-spaced achromatic doublet
70mm (f10)
700mm
Rack and pinion, all metal construction
1.6kg (3lb 8oz)
74cm (29”)
50cm (19.75”)

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CCD Auto-Guider ports

2 into 1 Auto-Guider
port splitter

AC431

12.99

splitter
Auto-Guider port splitter
(2-into-1 socket splitter)
 

This simple socket splitter allows you to put two 6 way modular jack cables into one CCD auto-guider socket. Used with the Guide Speed joystick above to allow a CCD auto-guider and joystick to be plugged into the LX200s CCD auto-guider socket at the same time.

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LX200 GPS micro-focuser

Micro-focus controller

AC516

59.99

focus
Micro-focus controller
A precise handset focus controller for critical task Webcam and CCD imaging
 

Designed primarily for use with the micro-focuser supplied with the Meade LX200GPS telescopes, the AC516 will also function with other motorised focusers as well. The unit features tactile feedback control buttons, solid-state electronics, and precise IC regulated speed control. A special feature is the electronic “auto-brake” - when the user lifts his finger off either position button the micro-processor instantly freezes the motor to prevent unpredictable run-on. Ideal for remote operation set-ups and any situation were precise intuitive control of the focuser is demanded. Includes 1.7m (extended) coiled extension cable (additional cable available). Operates on 9V PP3 battery not included. Please note that this product does not include a motorised telescope focuser.

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LX200 +

Guide Speed Joystick

AC410

89.99

joystick
Guide Speed Joystick
 

A self centring 8 point joystick for use with all models of LX200 Classic/GPS. Perfect for precise, intuitive target cantering when CCD, Webcam or Digital camera imaging. Supplied with over 5m (16ft) of lead which can be extended if required. Simply plug the joystick into the CCD guider port and start steering! Suitable for use with most telescopes with 6 way modular jack guider socket.

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Meade Eyepiece camera

Accessory Kit

AC280

19.99

eyepiecekit
Accessory Kit for Meade Eyepiece Camera
 

A useful accessory kit for the popular Meade Eyepiece camera. Comprising a 10m (32.5ft) replacement video phono plug to plug cable and a parfocal eyepiece locking ring to synchronise an eyepiece focus to the cameras to make target finding and framing easier. Shielded cable for low loss imaging.

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standard
Webcam Thread to 1.25" Adaptor
 

Allows most popular webcams, like the Philips' ToUcam, to be attached to standard 1.25" eyepiece holders. Simply remove the lens from the webcam and screw in the adaptor. Threaded for standard colour filters and turned with internal stepping to combat stray light. Manufactured from black Delrin.

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All notebook PCs

Eclipse PC glare shield

AC380

39.99

eclipse
The Eclipse: Glare and Dew Shield for Notebook PCs.
"Light Etiquette" for your computer screen
 

The Eclipse glare shield is an ideal accessory for CCD or webcam imaging in the field. In daylight it shields the screen and improves contrast (great for solar imaging). At night, the Eclipse helps you stay friends with other observers by shielding their night vision from the glare from your screen and it even helps to keep dew at bay. The clever spring-loaded design allows the Eclipse to self-erect the moment it is removed from it's travel case. And at the end of the session it simply folds flat again for easy storage and transport. Fits all notebook-type PCs with screen sizes ranging from 280mm to 410mm (11" to 16").

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All standard 1.25” filter threads

1.25” IR and UV blocking filter for webcam and CCD cameras

AC582

24.99

ac582
1.25” IR and UV blocking filter

Our high-quality “hot mirror” infrared and ultraviolet blocking filter is designed for use with modern webcam and CCD imaging cameras. If you use a webcam with almost any telescope except a well-corrected Newtonian, you are likely to encounter halos around stars and a problem often referred to as “fuzzy focus”. This happens because any telescope that employs any form of lens in the light path is unable to bring the whole light spectrum to a single well-defined focus. The UV and IR parts of the spectrum will be brought to different focus points to the rest of the spectrum, hence the loss of resolution and halo effects.

Our IR block filter passes 88% average of the visible bandwidth - 400nm to 700nm - whilst blocking 98% average of the bandwidth in the range 750nm to 1150nm. The AC582 also blocks near UV energy. Supplied in a shockproof plastic storage case.

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All standard 1.25” filter threads

BK7 glass cover slip filter window in standard 1.25” mounting

AC535

12.99

cover
BK7 glass cover slip filter
A high quality plain (BK7) glass filter to keep dust and debris away
from your imaging chip.

Nothing is more annoying than having a great image spoilt by debris on your cameras imaging chip. With web imaging this can be a serious problem ­ once the webcam lens has been removed, a direct pathway for particulate material is open to the imaging chip and it is almost impossible to stop dust and debris building up (and creating nasty artefacts that integrating software tends to favour over planetary detail!) and spoiling images. In the worst cases you can end up confined to using tiny portions of the chip that are not marred by the build up of debris. Our screw-on cover slip filter solves this problem once and for all. If you fit the filter with the nosepiece you will avoid the problem completely. If you already have a “dust bunny” problem, then carefully clean up the chip and fit the filter, and you may never have to clean the chip again. The BK7 glass in our filter passes all imaging bandwidth and has no detectable effect on the image. Supplied in foam filled plastic storage case.

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Webcam adaptor not included

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Deeper-case webcams (See compatibility notes)

Webcam thread adapter for Logitech Quickcam 3000 & 4000 Pro and other deeper cased cameras

AC414

24.99

longwebcam
Long-Reach Webcam Thread to 1.25" Adapter

A special adaptor to attach cameras with deep case-front to CCD chip distances Allows many of the popular Logitech (Quickcam) webcams to be attached to standard 1.25" eyepiece holders. Threaded for standard colour filters and turned with internal stepping to combat stray light. Manufactured from black Delrin. See compatibility notes.

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Most security and CCTV cameras

C-mount thread adapter

AC419

24.99

mount
C-Mount Thread to 1.25" Adapter

Allows virtually all CCTV and security cameras (with removable lenses) to be attached to standard 1.25" eyepiece holders. Simply remove the lens from the CCTV camera and screw in the adaptor. Threaded for standard colour filters and turned with internal stepping to combat stray light. Manufactured from black Delrin.

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All 1.25” eyepiece holders and cameras

Imager’s Filter Wheel with T-thread fittings
(filters not included)

AC626

129.99

Recommended accessories for use with the AC626 filter wheel

All 1.25” eyepieces and accessories with filter threads

Observers 1.25” deluxe 9-piece neutral density and colour filter set

(ND25, ND13, #11, #12, #15, #21, #23A, #56 and #80A)

AC591

59.99

All 1.25” eyepieces and accessories with filter threads

Magni-Max 1.6x compensating lens (supplementary image amplification lens)

AC555

24.99

Female T-thread and female M42 thread (Pentax)

T-mount male thread to M42 (Pentax) male thread adaptor ring (to connect the AC626 to some Starlight Xpress cameras)

AC628

16.99

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All 1.25” eyepiece holders

4x Imagemate™ image amplifier

AC519

59.99

imagemate
4x Imagemate™
A high-powered image amplification system for webcam and CCD/video imaging

Designed primarily for use with modern webcam, video and other imaging stystems - the compact barrel of the Imagemate™ houses a multi-coated twin element lens system to magnify the focal length of your instrument (and, therefore, the image) by a factor of 4x. The Imagemate delivers the kind of magnification that is usually achieved by eyepiece projection but without the fuss - and avoids the awkwardness (and high risk of “dust-bunnies”) of “doubling up” Barlows to achieve high resolution images with all types of cameras. Although the Imagemate is an ideal amlification system for modern astro-photography ­ it also functions amazingly for purely visual use when combined with your favourite eyepieces. Fits all telescopes with a 1.25” eyepiece holder and all cameras with 1.25” nosepieces. Supplied in a “bolt-bottle” for safe dust-free storage.

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Webcam not included

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Any webcam with 1.25 nosepiece

Super-lite webcam eyepiece projection coupler

AC412

24.99

super
Super-lite eyepiece projection coupler for webcams

 

Designed for use with all webcams fitted with any 1.25" nosepiece (e.g. our AC378, AC414, AC419, AC463 and AC464 screw-in nosepieces). The Super-lite allows you to greatly increase image scale by coupling the webcam directly to eyepieces. The coupler offers a versatile range of camera positions to vary image scale. Click image to see just two of the camera positions. Please note the Super-lite is designed for use with very lightweight cameras and is not for use with heavy CCD or film cameras! Precision turned from black acetyl and supplied with full instructions.

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Popular webcams

Basic T-thread to webcam thread adaptor

AC536

19.99

Popular webcams

Deluxe T-thread to webcam thread adaptor inc. filter mount

AC577

29.99

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Most Webcams

Webcam Thread Adapter

AC378

24.99

thread
T-thread to webcam thread adaptors - basic and deluxe models

Both of these precision-made adaptors allow you to couple the most popular webcams (Philips ToUcam Pro I & II, Vestra Pro etc) to any male T-threaded attachment. The AC577 Deluxe version goes further and allows standard 1.25” filters to be screw-mounted in front of the camera. And as well as fitting to T-mount accessories, the AC577 is also sized to fit any 2” eyepiece holder. Both adaptors are manufactured from aluminium and have a hard wearing black anodised finish.

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AC626
The Imager’s Filter Wheel
The expert imager's and observer’s way to change filters with any camera or 1.25” eyepiece

The Imager’s filter wheel is very similar to our Observers Filter Wheel AC625 above but it has additional features designed to suit the needs of astro imagers. It has the same five-position caddy that allows five separate 1.25” filters to be threaded into position and rotated in front of a fitted eyepiece or camera for rapid selection. The selection of filters in the wheel can be changed at the telescope in seconds without disassembly of the filter wheel casing. But the Imager’s Filter Wheel has fully removable T-threaded 1.25” eyepiece holder and 1.25” nosepiece. The Observer’s Filter Wheel has a more robust aluminium body to support even the heaviest CCD camera without distortion. A male/male T-thread adaptor ring is included to allow attachment of the filter wheel to female T-threaded cameras (Starlight Xpress, SBIG CCD etc). An additional ring is available to allow connection of the filter wheel to cameras with a Pentax/Praktika M42 female thread (e.g.some Starlight Xpress cameras).

Here are just some of the great features of the Observer’s Filter Wheel:

• Fully removable T-threaded 1.25” eyepiece holder and 1.25” nosepiece

• Slim 23mm body thickness. Works with Meade (ETX, LX90, LX200) and Celestron Maks and SCTs.

• All five filter positions fully threaded to accept standard 1.25” filters

• 1.25” nosepiece also threaded for filters (and AC555 Magni-Max use)

• T-thread adaptor ring for camera connection included

• Tactile click-stop for each filter position

• 95% aluminium construction, CNC-manufactured in the UK to the highest standards

• Filters all enclosed - supplied with anti-dewing cover

• Light-weight construction: less than 300grams (with four typical filters fitted).

Filter wheel and other critical components black anodized finish, main casing and filter cover finished in black resin powder coating.

Please note: this product is supplied without filters.

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The Imager's Filter Wheel and components
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The filter wheel with eyepiece holder and nosepiece in position
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AC628
Male T-thread to male M42 thread
A male/male adaptor to a fit our filter wheels on to some CCD cameras

This adaptor ring has a male thread at both ends: one end is standard T-thread (42 x 0.75 ) and the other end is threaded to fit the popular Pentax / Praktica camera body thread (42 x 1). The adaptor is suited to allow connection between products with female threaded T-mount and female M42 threaded fittings (i.e. to fit some Starlight Xpress cameras to our [and other manufacturers] filter wheels). Made from aluminium finished in hard anodic black dye.

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ac593
DSI-Wide - Camera lens and cradle adaptor kit for Meade Deep-Sky Imager
Turns your Meade DSI into a fantastic wide-field camera!

The DSI-Wide kit turns your Meade DSI into a wide-field camera that can use lenses designed for use with popular single lens reflex (SLR) cameras (including Pentax screw, Nikon AI, Olympus OM, and Canon EOS). The two-part kit comprises a rigid steel cradle to hold the camera and a T-thread to SLR lens adaptor barrel. The cradle holds the DSI camera body and provides a tripod fitting for attachment to all piggy-back brackets and tripods with standard 1/4” Whitworth threads (as the DSI has no tripod fitting of its own). The lens adaptor is specific to the SLR lens you intend to use - and it is a simple matter to unscrew and replace the DSI’s standard nosepiece with the DSI-Wide adaptor barrel and then attach your lens, and you are ready to shoot the sky! The DSI-Wide adds enormous versatility to a mould-breaking popular CCD camera - lenses of any focal length can be used from ultra-short fish-eye to super-long telephoto. But it’s not just for astronomy - when used with SLR camera lenses the DSI becomes a powerful specialist imaging tool - far more versatile than an ordinary webcam and capable (with the appropriate lens) of being used for wildlife photography, miniature imaging (models) and macro imaging to name just a few of hundreds of possible uses!

Here are just some of the great features of the DSI-Wide:

• Simple camera body fitting - once the cradle is attached to your telescope (via separate piggyback bracket) or tripod the DSI can be attached and removed in seconds by simply loosening the two nylon lock screws

• Lenses of any focal length can be used

• The DSI-Wide system camera can be used as a “super-webcam” for shooting a host of wildlife and other targets - it’s not just an astronomy gadget!

The lens adaptor barrel components are black anodized finish, and the cradle is finished in satin-black resin powder coating.

Please note: this product does not include a Meade DSI or camera lenses !

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The DSI-Wide fully assembled (Meade DSI and camera lens not included)

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The DSI-Wide kit - camera cradle and lens adaptor

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Female T-threads and female M42 threads

Male/male T-thread to M42 (Pentax, Praktica) thread

AC628

16.99

standard
Low-profile webcam lens thread to 1.25” nosepiece
Designed to meet the latest challenges in webcam imaging
 

Like our standard AC378 (see below) this ultra low-profile adaptor allows most popular webcams, like the Philips ToUcam Pro I and II, to be attached to standard 1.25" eyepiece holders. The big difference is the overall length of the adaptor and the absence of a rear lip at the base of the nosepiece. We’ve made the adaptor as short as possible to make sure that it will work with the increasing number of imaging situations that require a low-profile nosepiece on the webcam, to cope with minimum in-focus motion and other limitations of the telescope focuser.
This adaptor is ideally suited for imaging with telescopes like the and other instruments with limited inward focuser travel. As you’d expect, the nosepiece works just fine on telescopes that do not suffer from limited in-focus travel as well! Fitting couldn’t be simpler - just unscrew the lens from the webcam and screw in the adaptor. Even though it’s ultra-short, the nosepiece is fully threaded for standard 1.25” filters and turned with internal stepping to combat stray light. Precision CNC- manufactured from black Delrin.

As with all our webcam nosepieces we recommend the fitting of our AC535 glass cover slip filter to keep micro-particles and debris off the imaging chip.

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1.25” eyepiece holders on all telescopes

Low-profile webcam thread to 1.25” nosepiece adapter for “normal” and limited in-focus travel webcam imaging

AC624

13.99

ac665
DSI-Pro Wide
Camera lens and cradle adaptor kit for Meade Deep-Sky Imager Pro
Turns your Meade DSI-Pro into a fantastic wide-field camera!

The DSI-Pro Wide kit turns your Meade DSI-Pro into a wide-field camera that can use lenses designed for use with popular single lens reflex (SLR) cameras that use Pentax/Praktica M42 screw thread. The two-part kit comprises a rigid steel cradle to hold the camera and a T-thread to M42 SLR lens adaptor barrel. The cradle holds the DSI-Pro camera body allowing full access to the filter holder, and provides a tripod fitting for attachment to all piggy-back brackets and tripods with standard _” Whitworth threads (as the DSI-Pro has no tripod fitting of its own). The lens adaptor is specific for Pentax screw thread lenses only - it is a simple matter to unscrew and replace the DSI-Pro’s standard nosepiece with the DSI-Pro Wide adaptor barrel and then attach your lens, and you are ready to shoot the sky! The DSI-Wide adds enormous versatility to a mould-breaking popular CCD camera - lenses of any focal length can be used from ultra-short fish-eye to super-long telephoto. But it’s not just for astronomy - when used with SLR camera lenses, the DSI-Pro becomes a powerful specialist imaging tool - far more versatile than an ordinary webcam and capable (with the appropriate lens) of being used for wildlife photography, miniature imaging (models) and macro imaging to name just a few of hundreds of possible uses!

Here are just some of the great features of the DSI-Pro Wide:

• Simple camera body fitting - once the cradle is attached to your telescope (via separate piggyback bracket) or tripod, the DSI-Pro can be attached and removed in seconds by simply loosening the two nylon lock screws

• Standard Pentax M42 screw thread lenses of any focal length can be used

• The DSI-Pro Wide system camera can be used as a “super-webcam” for shooting a host of wildlife and other targets - it’s not just an astronomy gadget!

The lens adaptor barrel components are black anodised finish, and the cradle is finished in satin-black resin powder coating. Please note: this kit does not include a lens.

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Meade DSI-Pro and all Pentax Praktica screw thread lenses

DSI-Pro wide camera lens and cradle adaptor kit for Pentax screw thread lenses only (lens not included)

AC665

69.99