Hi Gary,
Thank you?for your quick reply!
I was hoping to avoid?getting into all the?possibilities your questions imply, and so?before getting into them, I wanted to?limit?my question?to just?the?issue of?mirror flop.?Maybe another way of asking would be...?lets say that?an OTA?tracks perfectly, for?15min, with?the mirror locks set, imaging at f10,?would mirror flop be an issue that would likely?show up in?an image?
I appreciate your questions,
I'm using an AP 1100 mount, MaximDL tracking prog, Starfish autoguider, TeleVue NP101 guide scope, piggybacked on the C11. Drift aligned, to the point that it'll stay on track within 1/2 hr either side of the meridian, unguided, for at least 5 min. Using full frame DSLR camera, Focus on guide and imaging camera?excellent. Seeing average.
Really,?my biggest suspect?is the NP101 piggybacked on the C11. It's?14lbs of weight?hanging at various angles, and thereby effective?distances, beyond the tube. My previous setup was a 10" Meade with a?4lb guide scope. I had?very few?image shift issues with it.
My second suspect is related to the 5.75" back focus, with the camera hanging beyond even that.?It takes a lot?to keep that?immobile. My Meade setup was much more closely coupled.
But still the question, or degree, of mirror flop remains. If it's not acceptable over a?15, or?at least?10 min period, then I will have to abandon?hope of?using a guide scope, and?resign myself to OAG. And I hate them.?They are?a pain.
Regards,
Keith
