Opticron Universal Digital Camera Adapter [UDCA]
The Universal Digital Camera Adapter is designed to allow you to take high magnification
photographs using Opticron telescopes and eyepieces in conjunction with most digital compact
cameras and some digital camcorders using eyepiece projection.
Many digital compact cameras do not have screw threads on the lens assemblies to allow for direct
coupling, so the UDCA is designed as a three-way adjustable balance plate that fixes directly to the
telescope eyepiece. The camera is fixed onto the Adapter and can be adjusted in three planes to
enable correct positioning with respect to the eyepiece.
Instructions for Use
Before connecting the Adapter, set up your telescope and eyepiece on a tripod as you would for viewing
- focusing on an object in the normal way until the image being viewed comes into sharp focus.
Choosing an Eyepiece
Many eyepieces will work but recommended lenses are: 40812, 40810 and 40929 as these give
the largest exit pupil diameters and will project more light onto the camera lens. Some zoom
eyepieces are not recommended as the UDCA is connected directly to the eyepiece.
Fixing the Jaw Clamp Assembly onto
the Eyepiece
[Fig. 1]
•
Unscrew Jaw Clamp Assembly to a
distance greater than the diameter of the
eyepiece.
Place the Jaw over the eyepiece and
tighten using knob [A].
• Remove Stop Plate [B].
Fixing the Balance Plate Assembly
[Fig. 2]
•
Using one of the three available holes, slide
the Balance Plate Assembly into the vertical
pole with the grooved channel facing up.
[The hole nearest the tightening screw [C]
is recommended for straight-through
viewing telescopes.]
•
Tighten the Balance Plate Assembly using
knob [C] in a convenient position for fixing
the camera.
• Re-attach Stop Plate [B].
Height Adjusting Post [D]
[Fig. 3]
This screws onto 1/4inch thread equipment
and raises the height of small cameras enough
to achieve vertical alignment with the
eyepiece. Recommended for use with cameras
where the distance from the base of the
camera to the centre of the lens is less than:
28mm - HR eyepieces 32mm - HR2 & HDF
eyepieces.
Fixing the Camera onto the Balance
Plate Assembly
[Fig. 3]
•
Screw the camera / height
adjustment post onto the Balance Plate via
the sliding 1/4 inch thread.
Tighten, leaving just enough play to allow you to slide the camera along the channel later on.
Aligning the Camera to the Eyepiece
[Fig. 3]
To take photographs the camera and eyepiece need to be aligned in three planes: horizontal [X],
vertical [Y] and left to right [Z]. Optimum alignment position will be different for each camera and
eyepiece combination used. To obtain the optimum position, the camera and Balance Plate
Assembly must be moved in three planes and can take a little practice.
Important
Before you begin aligning the camera turn it on making sure the lens is fully extended
1
and the
LCD Monitor is on. Doing this will help you make the alignment by viewing the LCD Monitor and
avoid extending the lens into the eyepiece which may cause damage to both the camera and the
eyepiece lens.
1
The ability to obtain full frame images will be dependant on the objective lens diameter of the
Telescope, the Eyepiece being used and the diameter of the camera lens. Some camera lenses will
extend or retract when the optical zoom is increased. Make sure the lens is fully extended even if
this means the zoom function is at its lowest value. The zoom function can then be adjusted safely
after the camera is aligned correctly.
•
To correctly position the camera move it in three dimensions as illustrated.
As you move the camera into position the LCD monitor will begin to show a single rounded
picture of the image you originally set your scope and eyepiece to. Once this single rounded
picture is obtained you can adjust the zoom function to eliminate any vignetting and make
any fine focus adjustments using the focus on the telescope.
[Fig. 3] Fixing and Aligning the Camera
D
Y
Z
X
[Fig. 1] Jaw Clamp Assembly
A
B
[Fig. 2] Fixing the Balance Plate Assembly
C
