How to reach the 55mm back focal length with ASI cameras?
The back focal length is advised by the telescope manufacturers.
Since most telescopes have 55mm back focal length, we are providing the detailed guidelines for all our cooled cameras.
Please be noted that these are just examples for 55mm back focal length, you need to know the back focal length of your reducer and flattener first and then arrange the adapters.
Notice: About small format, 174, 178, 385, 290, 224, 185, etc. The package does not include some adapters, please take a look at the diagram of the package list in the product description.
1. 4/3”, 1” and small format cooled cameras:
ASI1600/294/183/533
1) Without filter drawers or filter wheels:
2) With 1.25”/36mm/31mm EFW:
3) With 2” EFW:
Note: The total back focal length of this solution is 56mm; The two adapters T2-M48 16.5mm and M48-M42 could be replaced by one adapter M48-M48 16.5mm.
Note: The total back focal length of this solution is 56mm; The T2-tilter needs to be bought separately.
4) With 2” filter drawer:
Note: The two adapters T2-M48 16.5mm and M48-M42 could be replaced by one adapter M48-M48 16.5mm.
5) With OAG-L and 2” filter:
If you have an OAG-L, but do not have & want to use any filter wheel to reach 55mm back focal length. Then you can use the M54 adapter instead. It would also allow you to add a 2” filter into the image train.
2. APS-C cooled cameras:
ASI2600/071
1) Without filter drawers or filter wheels:
2) With 36mm EFW:
Note: T2-T2 2mm adapter can be found in the package of 36mm EFW;
Note: The M42 sensor tilt plate attached to the camera needs to be taken off. You may need to re-adjust the tilt when re-installing the plate back;
The original OAG can not be replaced with OAG-L, but if you have the M68 OAG, you can use the M68 OAG instead;
This method does not support the telescopes with M42 threads at the end side.
Note: This method only supports the telescopes with M42 or M48 threads at the end side. The M42M-M48F 22.5mm extender needs to be bought separately.
3) With 2” EFW:
Note: The total back focal length of this solution is 56mm; The two adapters T2-M48 16.5mm and M48-M42 could be replaced by one adapter M48-M48 16.5mm.
Note: The total back focal length of this solution is 56mm.
Note: The M42 sensor tilt plate attached to the camera needs to be taken off, and you may need to re-adjust the tilt when re-installing the plate back;
The original OAG can not be replaced to OAG-L, but if you have the M68 OAG, you can also use the M68 OAG instead;
This method does not support the telescopes with M42 threads at the end side.
4) With 2” filter drawer:
The two adapters T2-M48 16.5mm and M48-M42 could be replaced by one adapter M48-M48 16.5mm.
5) With OAG-L and 2” filter:
If you have an OAG-L, but do not have & want to use any filter wheel to reach 55mm back focal length. Then you can use the M54 adapter instead. It would also allow you to add a 2” filter into the image train.
3. Full frame cooled cameras:
ASI6200/2400
1) Without filter drawers or filter wheels:
Note: The above two solutions will both block the sensor a little bit.
2) With 2” EFW:
Note: The M42 sensor tilt plate attached to the camera needs to be taken off, and you may need to re-adjust the tilt when re-installing the plate back;
The original OAG can not be replaced to OAG-L, but if you have the M68 OAG, you can also use the M68 OAG instead;
This method does not support the telescopes with M42 threads at the end side.
3) With 2” filter drawer:
Note: The back focal length of this solution is 56mm.
Note: This solution only applies to the telescopes with M68 interface threads. If the threads of your telescope is M42 or M48, then we recommend DIY the relative adapters or choose the 2” EFW.
5) With OAG-L and 2” filter:
If you have an OAG-L, but do not have & want to use any filter wheel to reach 55mm back focal length. Then you can use the M54 adapter instead. It would also allow you to add a 2” filter into the image train.
I have the ASI2600MC pro and I want to use it on my 800mm Newtonian with my Baader Mark ii coma corrector. What set of spacers/adapters should I use. My 1st attempt left distortion towards the outer regions of the images, which I suspect was due to incorrect placement of the coma corrector. The Baader is almost the same length as the 21mm spacer adapter provided with the 2600.
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You can post your problem on our forum, and attach your photos. So that we can have a good look at this.
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Hi,
I just received my ZWO 5 position EFW and I followed the connection diagram on ZWO’s site to connect it to my ASI071MC-Cool. The connection diagram for APS-C cameras does not show how the camera connects to the EFW; only how the adapters and spacers attach on the scope side of the wheel. I read instructions for connecting it to a full frame sensor and I removed the tilt plate but I found the holes do not line up. Is there another adapter to make this work?
Is the 5 position 2” EFW not compatible with my camera?
– Joe
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You need to customize the flange ring.
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I use a Baader 2″ Mark III Multi-Purpose Coma Corrector which has a back focus of 55 mm with asi 1600mm and a filter wheel how can I get back focus of 55 mm??
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Sorry we don’t have test how to connect the Mark III Multi-Purpose Coma Corrector.
You could refer to the first title “4/3″, 1″ and small format cooled cameras” on this website.
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Hi,
I could really use some help. I purchased a ZWO ASI071 MC Pro and haven’t got a clue if I have my rig setup correctly. One of the main problems with most of the pictures of setups online, discussion forums, and in the manual(s) is that they primarily show and talk to DSLRs while only casually mentioning CCDs. My problem is trying to understand the setup and difference between 55mm and 155mm of back-focus. From the closest part, I can measure to the bottom of the telescope to the bottom of the CCD sensor (17.5mm) is a grand total of just over 153mm.
My setup consists of an EdgeHD 8″, EdgeHD Compatible T-Adapter, ASI071 MC Pro – Short question is, what parts do I need?
*I do not have a focal reducer or OAG.
** The Celestron T-Adapter came in two attached pieces.
I’ve looked over all of the ZWO setup diagrams but cannot determine one that fits my case. Specifically, do the M48 threads on the telescope-end include or preclude the T-Adapter?
Thank you, John
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Hi John, please figure out how much does your telescope needs to acquire focus and then arrange the adapters.
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I do not understand “backfocus”. I have a ZWO 1533, and have no problems focusing – I have no extenders. I use both an ED102 refractor ( F7 ), and an 8SE with reducer, (aprox f6.3) – I can focus just fine. I’m very confused as to why all the extension tubes and backfocus documentation.
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The back focus is depend on that you install the flattener or reducer which requires 55mm back focus. It refers to the length from the middle of the flattener/reducer to the sensor.
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Is there a back focus chart for non cooled ZWO cameras?
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Normally planetary imaging does not have back focus, you may find the requirement of focusing from your telescope manual.
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Normally planetary imaging does not have back focus, you may find the requirement of focusing on your telescope manual.
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I have an ES ED80, with the ES field flattener, which has 45mm back focus, along with the 178MC Cool. I have all the adaptors (21, 16.5, M42/M48)) but I am unclear of which ones to use. Can you help?
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Maybe you could remove the T2 ring(11mm) which attached to the camera. And then connect the camera with T2 21mm extender, M48-T2 16.5mm extender, but you should find an adapter to attach the male theard of M48-T2 to your telescope by yourself. We are sorry we don’t have this adapter.
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Moson:
I did the math, and what I currently calculated behind the flattener is:
17.5 for 178MC Cool
21 spacer
6.5 spacer
total of 45MM.
ES confirmed today that the flattener to the sensor should be 45, so am I good to go?
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Yes, but as I mentioned before, we don’t have a suitable adapter for you to attach the male thread to the telescope. You could do it by yourself.
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Now I am a little confused. Currently, the last piece in the chain is the flattener, which clamps into the focuser. Are you talking about this connection? I’d post a picture but it seems no attachments allowed. The chain is; camera @17.5 + 6.5 + 21 = 45, then flattener threads into spacer and goes inside focuser.
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The backfocus is depend on your flattener which requires 55mm back focus. Sorry what’s your 6.5mm refer to? We have M48-M48 16.5mm extender, M48-T2 16.5mm extender, and OAG 16.5mm.
Camera 17.5mm + extender/OAG 16.5mm + T2 extender 21mm = 55mm
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So, to clarify, my flattener requires 45MM backfocus, not 55. the 6.5 is a ring I added to get to 45. I was mostly confirming that if the flattener backfocus is different than the 178 backfocus, I should still use the flattener backfocus as my distance for calculations. Make sense? In other words, I’m shooting for 45MM, not 55MM.
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Yes, it make sense.
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Hi, I use a Sky Watcher 200 f4 with a coma corrector that need a 54,2 back focus. My camera is the ASI 071 and, with adapters I have 55 mm back focus. How can I achieve 54,2 backfocus? Do you have some recomendation? Regards
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There is a tolerance of 1-2mm for the back focus of the telescope, it doesn’t matter if you use the solution of 55mm back focus.
Or you could try adding a gasket to extend the back focus to 55mm.
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I am trying to find focus of the OAG and a ZWO ASI 1600 colour. I don’t think I have the right spacer for the ZWO and the 2″ OAG because when one is in focus the other one isn’t and there isn’t enough correction on the OAG. Is there a correct distance for both?
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Yes,it’s correct.You can use our solution to connect ASI1600 and OAG.And make sure that you use our adapter.
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Ciao,
ho acquistato una camera 533 pro color, ho un problema sulla messa a fuoco senza riduttore di focale, a 600 mm con ED80, cosa posso fare?
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What is the back focus of your telescope?
Did you arrange the back focus as the manfacture request?
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Can you attach the OAG and manual filter wheel and keep the 11mm ring fixed to my ASI 183, I want to stack a HA filter in the wheel and a UV filter in front of the camers
Thanks
Nice to see you are back!
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Sorry it cannot, but you can add the UV filter with a 1.25″ filter adapter.
T2-1.25″ Filter adapter
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Katherine
I don’t know if I explained..it would be scope-oag-wheel (withfilter)-11mm ring(with uv filter on T2-1.25 adapter)-asi 183
David
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Yes there will be 55mm.
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I have the ASI 1600MC (5mm) and a GSO 2″ .5 focal reducer (15mm), T2 extender (22mm), an Optolong L-Enhance (2mm) and ZWO T2 extender (11mm) for a total of 55mm. Can I place the focal reducer closest to the camera, or do I need to put it at the far end?
My current plan is:
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ZWO 1600MC (5mm)–>GSO 2″ .5 FR (15mm)–>T2 extender (22mm)–>Optolong (2mm)–>T2 extender (11mm), or 5+15+22+3+11=55mm of total back focus. Is that an acceptable configuration? Does it matter where I put the FR or IR filter in the image train to achieve the 55mm of back focus?
Love your products!
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Focap reducer should be place close to the scope, then calculate the 55mm from the thread of the thread on focal reducer which face to the camera and to the sensor.
Thank you for choosing us!
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Io ho una Asi 224- Se voglio applicare la OAG della ZWO Servono delle prolunghe per un back focu?
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Please refer to the last picture.
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Hello,
i am trying to connect the samyang EF lens 14mmf2.8 to the zwo 294mc pro but i can not reach focus. I am using the ASI T2 EOS adapter and the 11mm T2 extender included with the camera but with no succes. I am missing someting here. Your support will be much appreciated.
Thank You
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Which end it cannnot get focus? the nearest end or the farthest end?
You can try to add some spacers to adjust it.
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Great put!
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Thanks
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Hi,
i have a doubt about the right backfocus concerning my camera ASI 1600ProM fitted on my C14 Edge HD with Hyperstar system.
The right backfocus for my Hyperstar is 67.4mm whereas for the ASI 1600Pro is indicated the best backfocus of 55mm.
What should i taken into account?
Thanks
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Subject to your Hyperstar
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I am attaching an ASI294 MC cooled camera to an AP105 Traveler f6, 610mm focal length, with a 92/105 AP 92FF field flattener. The recommended camera back focus from the field flattener is 64.1 mm, but the recommended back focus for the ZWO camera is 55 mm. Do I thus want an extender that places the ZWO camera at 64.1 mm, 9.1 mm more than the recommended 55 mm? I am assuming flatness of field (which is optimal at 64.1mm from the field flattener) is more important than the 55 mm ZWO back focus, which I assume simply affects how much of the image from the scope falls on the camera sensor, is that correct?
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Yes,you are right
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Hi
I have svr102t with focus reducer + light pollution filter.
The light pollution filter is fixed in front of the extension adapter tube.
My back focus should be 55mm .
Do I add 1mm for the light pollution filter?
Thx
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No, you need not do it
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Hi!
To get 55mm backfocus with asi 1600mmc: 6,5 + 20 + 11 + 16,5 + 1 mm (filter) = 55. I don’t need T2-T2 adapter, is it correct? Thx !!
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The equation is correst, but couldn’t be applied to camera.
Because all equipments cannot be connected without T2-T2 adapter, so the T2-T2 adapter is necessaries for your camera.
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In this case I would have 57mm of backfocus, how to reduce it to 56 or 55? thank you
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Maybe you could send your picture to our support,and we will check and reply to you.
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Simple question, but I’m stuck.
I have a Celestron C8 SCT telescope. I can connect my camera through a 1.25″ nose piece, but I wanted to connect it directly by threading it onto the visual back.
What do I need to do this? The threads on the “visual back” don’t match anything supplied with my 294MC Pro. Do I need to buy a T-Adapter? What do I need to connect it?
This must be a very common configuration, yet the threads on the telescope side are not well documented and don’t fit anything I have except the visual back supplied (leading to 1.25″ connection).
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ASI294 provide M42 interface, you can use 1.25″ adapter or you can find another adapter, we do not have this telescope and we cannot be sure about this.
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I use a skywatcher coma corrector model GPU 4 lenses. I have m48-m42 adapter that is 5 mm and m42 extender that is 40 mm.
I have in total 5+40+12,5=57,5. Is it a problem with an asi 224 mc?
Thanks
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Hi Aderiano,
You should know the back focus of your flattener or reducer and arrange the back focus.
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