DIY

IMAGING

SCOPE PHOTOGRAPHY RIG

Microscope and telescope photography made easy and cheap. By Peter Torrione

Quality cameras for microscope and telescope photography can run $500. But you can also use your family digital camera, attaching it to the eyepiece with a simple mount made from PVC pipe.

1. Prepare the PVC coupling.

Photography by Peter Torrione

PVC pipe couplings are strong, easy to work with, and won’t mar the eyepieces. For the telescope mount, I used 1" ID (inside diameter) pipe coupling. Its actual ID measured about 1. 3" and it had a ridge in the middle, so I used a lathe to remove the ridge and enlarge the ID to fit around the telescope’s standard 1¼" eyepiece. Some patient filing with a half round file will also get you there.

With the microscope, first try holding the camera up to the eyepiece with a tripod to make sure the image can come through. I used a ¾" pipe coupling, which I cemented into a 1" pipe coupling for greater

MATERIALS AND TOOLS

Digital camera with optical zoom It might also need a macro setting. I used a Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS and an old HP Photosmart M425.

Microscope and/or telescope

PVC pipe coupling to fit your eyepiece.

A ¾" coupling fits most microscopes, 1" fits most telescopes.

Aluminum flat stock, ¾"× 5" or 1"× 5"

#6-32 flathead screws with lock washers and nuts ( 2) ¼- 20 nylon screws ( 2) or adjustable hose clamp Spacers or washers as needed

¼- 20 thumb screw

Half round file for telescope mount

Drill and drill bits: #34 or R", #27 or T", and 8" or bigger

¼"- 20 thread tap or hacksaw if you’re using nylon screws or a hose clamp, respectively

Calipers (optional) handy for checking diameters and lining up the camera on the mounting bracket

121 Make: