My next step with my Celestron CGEM will be to start utilizing it for astrophotography. I hope my Celestron CGEM review will be helpful. I’ve done some webcam photography of Jupiter with mixed results (due to other variables such as viewing conditions, not the CGEM), but my main interest is in photographing deep space objects such as nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies. To begin, I will shoot DSLR astrophotography using the Orion ED80. To get started, though, I needed to purchase some new equipment!
My astrophotography setup for the CGEM needs four different kinds of adapters. The majority of them are ADM adapters used to connect the ED80 to the CGEM and the autoguider scope to the ED80 (piggybacked). Others arrived with the autoguider (guide scope rings and mounting bar). The camera used is a Canon XSi. More information about my astrophotography setup is provided below.
Celestron Cgem: CGEM ADAPTERS
I opted to simply install the ED80 to the CGEM saddle plate. I already have the ADM dovetail rings and adapter set (used to piggyback the ED80 to the LX200 SCT), so it was just a question of acquiring the DMM7 from ADM. I can now install the ED80 on the CGEM saddle plate.
Celestron Cgem:AUTOGUIDING
A proper autoguiding system is another key component. I bought the Orion Awesome Autoguider Package after hearing a lot about it. It is built using a ShortTube 80mm refractor and a StarShoot Autoguiding camera (for a very reasonable price I might add).
Because I required a mechanism to attach the autoguider to my ED80 dovetail rings, ADM provided me with two V-Series clamps, one for each ring. The autoguider’s mounting bar will now be able to connect to the top of the ED80 dovetail rings. As a result, the Awesome Autoguider will be attached to the ED80. It’ll make an excellent light optical system for my CGEM.
Celestron Cgem:ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY CAMERA FOR THE CGEM
I made the decision to upgrade from my Canon 300D to the Canon 450D. (XSi). I’ve seen some fantastic Astro images taken with this camera (often in conjunction with the CGEM), so I’m going to give it a go! It has a 12.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor and is a DSLR. A live preview mode is a useful tool that may aid in focusing.
Celestron Cgem:BAHTINOV FOCUSING MASK
Bahtinov concentrating masks are also getting a lot of attention. Some images are manufacturing these masks themselves but a professionally manufactured one is quite affordable. In reality, it cost just $14.95 for the Bahtinov mask for my ED80 from telescopes.com. These masks provide quick and simple critical attention. Simply adjust the focus until a symmetrical diffraction spike pattern is created.
Celestron Cgem:THE WAIT
Now all I have to do is wait for my stuff to arrive and for some nice weather! Because of the awful weather, I haven’t been able to utilize my Celestron cgem as much recently. We’re hoping for a break soon so I can get more expertise with this amazing mount and begin making Astro-images. Please keep coming back for updates as I will continue to report my progress here!
My next step with my Celestron CGEM will be to start utilizing it for astrophotography. I hope my Celestron CGEM review will be helpful. I’ve done some webcam photography of Jupiter with mixed results (due to other variables such as viewing conditions, not the CGEM), but my main interest is in photographing deep space objects such as nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies. To begin, I will shoot DSLR astrophotography using the Orion ED80. To get started, though, I needed to purchase some new equipment!
My astrophotography setup for the CGEM needs four different kinds of adapters. The majority of them are ADM adapters used to connect the ED80 to the CGEM and the autoguider scope to the ED80 (piggybacked). Others arrived with the autoguider (guide scope rings and mounting bar). The camera used is a Canon XSi. More information about my astrophotography setup is provided below.
Celestron Cgem: CGEM ADAPTERS
I opted to simply install the ED80 to the CGEM saddle plate. I already have the ADM dovetail rings and adapter set (used to piggyback the ED80 to the LX200 SCT), so it was just a question of acquiring the DMM7 from ADM. I can now install the ED80 on the CGEM saddle plate.
Celestron Cgem:AUTOGUIDING
A proper autoguiding system is another key component. I bought the Orion Awesome Autoguider Package after hearing a lot about it. It is built using a ShortTube 80mm refractor and a StarShoot Autoguiding camera (for a very reasonable price I might add).
Because I required a mechanism to attach the autoguider to my ED80 dovetail rings, ADM provided me with two V-Series clamps, one for each ring. The autoguider’s mounting bar will now be able to connect to the top of the ED80 dovetail rings. As a result, the Awesome Autoguider will be attached to the ED80. It’ll make an excellent light optical system for my CGEM.
Celestron Cgem:ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY CAMERA FOR THE CGEM
I made the decision to upgrade from my Canon 300D to the Canon 450D. (XSi). I’ve seen some fantastic Astro images taken with this camera (often in conjunction with the CGEM), so I’m going to give it a go! It has a 12.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor and is a DSLR. A live preview mode is a useful tool that may aid in focusing.
Celestron Cgem:BAHTINOV FOCUSING MASK
Bahtinov concentrating masks are also getting a lot of attention. Some images are manufacturing these masks themselves but a professionally manufactured one is quite affordable. In reality, it cost just $14.95 for the Bahtinov mask for my ED80 from telescopes.com. These masks provide quick and simple critical attention. Simply adjust the focus until a symmetrical diffraction spike pattern is created.
Celestron Cgem:THE WAIT
Now all I have to do is wait for my stuff to arrive and for some nice weather! Because of the awful weather, I haven’t been able to utilize my Celestron cgem as much recently. We’re hoping for a break soon so I can get more expertise with this amazing mount and begin making Astro-images. Please keep coming back for updates as I will continue to report my progress here!
