SBIG

AFW to Small Format Camera Adapter

This adapter allows our large format AFW series slim filter wheels to be mounted to our smaller format cameras, such as the Aluma CCD series.

The adapter requires an additional 0.3″ (7.62 mm) of back focus.

Mounting is simple:  Remove any screws from the mounting plate on the STC or Aluma CCD camera, and place the adapter over top, with the circular recess facing up.  Use the four included 4-40 x 5/16″ screws to attach it to the camera.  The attach the AFW wheel to the adapter using its included mounting screws, per the filter wheel user manual.

Compatibility

When using this adapter, AFW filter wheels are compatible with Aluma CCD, STC-7, STC-428, and STF series cameras.  They will also work with STT cameras when operated via USB interface.

SBIG

Single Filter Holder for Large Format Cameras

This adapter allows you to mount a single filter in front of our large format cameras, including the Aluma AC series and the older STX and STXL series.  It is compatible with 50 mm square x 2 mm thick filters.

The adapter consists of two identical flat plates that gently clamp the filter in place, which is inserted under the front nosepiece adapter (the standard “STX style” adapter ring is shown here).  The mounting screws for the nosepiece adapter securely clamp the adapter in place.

Two sets of longer mounting screws are included.  The first allows for attachment directly to a camera, filter wheel, or AO.  The second, even longer set works with StarChaser SC-4.

Aluma AC Adapter Plate

Aluma AC cameras have a standard mounting bolt pattern (four 6-32 threaded holes on a 4″ diameter). This interface is also used on the older STX and STXL cameras.  We have a variety of bolt-on adapters available for different telescope interfaces.

The original 10018 adapter plate provides a 3″ OD dovetail plate and a 3.00 x 24 TPI thread.  This provides a very robust connection to the telescope and the largest clear aperture, but may require adapters on the telescope side.

The ACC06 2″ adapter plate provides a standard 2″ eyepiece barrel interface.  This is suitable for smaller sensors, but may vignette large sensors such as those in the Aluma AC4040 or STX-16803.

The ACC09 3″ adapter plate provides a 3″ eyepiece barrel interface.  This is directly compatible with many third party large format focusers.

Please note that a high quality focuser should be used to ensure that the weight of the camera and accessories is well supported. We recommend using at least three grub screws to ensure the camera is stably mounted.

Backfocus Data

All plates are 0.200″ thick.

When using the “STX” style 3.5″ OD / 3 x 24 TPI thread adapter backfocus is 0.200″ (5.08 mm) when using the dovetail connection.  When using the threaded interface the total backfocus distance added is 0.670″ (17.02 mm).

Aluma AC, STX, and STXL cameras have a standard mounting bolt pattern (four 6-32 threaded holes on a 4″ diameter). We have a variety of bolt-on adapters available for different telescope interfaces.

• SBIG Standard Adapter. Preferred choice for PlaneWave telescopes.
• Suitable for smaller sensors. Compatible with 2″ eyepiece holders.
• Suitable for larger sensors. Compatible with 3″ eyepiece holders.

Drawings

Drawing for 10018 STX Style mounting plate.

Adapter Plates for Compact Cameras

Connect your SBIG filter wheel or off-axis guider to your telescope focuser’s draw tube or focal reducer/field flattener with these adapters.  These adapters are designed to work with the following cameras and filter wheels:

• FW8-STC filter wheel on the STC-428-P camera
• FW8S-Aluma filter wheel for the Aluma CCD series cameras
• StarChaser SC-2 off-axis guide camera

They also can be used on these older or discontinued models:

• OAG-8300 off-axis guider
• FW8-8300 filter wheel for the STF-8300 camera
• FW8G-Aluma
• FW8G-STT
• FW8S-STT

Interface options include:

M48 x 0.75 thread – the same as found on many DSLR and Mirrorless digital camera adapter rings. (Sometimes erroneously called a “Wide-T” ring.)

SCT Thread 2″ x 24 – compatible with many 8″ through 11″ Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes (SCT).  Also known as the small SCT thread.

STL Thread 2.156″ x 24 – compatible with STL-style adapters and draw tubes, and is compatible with the Nosepiece – Eyepiece Barrel Style.  This combination is recommended when using off-axis guide cameras as it provide a larger unvignetted field.

Nosepiece – Eyepiece Barrel Style

Nosepieces for use with compact cameras including Aluma CCD, STF series, and STT series.

Options include:

• 1.25″ nosepiece with T-threads (M42 x 0.75)
• 2″ nosepiece with T-threads (M42 x 0.75)
• 2″ nosepiece with STL threads (2.156″ x 24)
  Recommended for use with off-axis autoguider cameras

Compatible adapter plates are available for Aluma CCD, STF, and STT filter wheels and accessories.

Dual AFW Filter Wheel Adapter

Installation

Refer to the diagram:

1. Following the standard filter wheel instructions, remove the cover plate and mount the Bottom Wheel to the camera.
2. Set the 1/2 selector at the edge of the circuit board to 1.
3. Place the Bottom Adapter on the outside of the Bottom Wheel’s cover, with the four countersunk holes facing upwards.  Use four 6-32 x 1/4″ screws to attach the adapter.  When installed correctly the four screws will be inset into the adapter.
4. Install filters and reattach the cover on the Bottom Wheel, per the standard instructions.
5. Place the thicker Top Adapter on the Bottom Adapter, with the four countersunk holes facing upwards.  Use four 6-32 x 1/4″ screws to attach it to the Bottom Adapter.
6. Remove the cover from the Top Wheel.
7. Set the 1/2 selector at the edge of the circuit board to 2.
8. Using the supplied cable, attach the connector with the low-profile back shell to the Top Wheel.  Orient the cable pointing inwards towards the adapters.
9. The Top Wheel is now installed on top of the adapters, using the mounting screws that come with the filter wheel.  Note that the Top Wheel must be rotated 90 degrees relative to the Bottom Wheel so that the motor cover does not hit.
10. Install the filters into the Top Wheel, and reattach the cover.  Attach the nosepiece adapter per the standard filter wheel instructions.
11. Connect the second connector in the cable to the Bottom Wheel.
12. Connect the third connector in the cable to the camera.
13. Configure the MaxIm LT or MaxIm DL Pro software for the dual wheel.  Please refer to the MaxIm DL user manual for details.

Filter Organization

The software setup will map each virtual dual wheel slot to a combination of slots in Wheel 1 (bottom) and Wheel 2 (top).  As an example:

Virtual Slot 1 (Luminance) = Bottom Slot 1 (Luminance), Top Slot 10 (empty)
Virtual Slot 2 (Red) = Bottom Slot 2 (Red), Top Slot 10 (empty)
… etc.
Virtual Slot 10 (U) = Bottom Slot 10 (empty), Top Slot 1 (U)
Virtual Slot 11 (B) = Bottom Slot 10 (empty), Top Slot 2 (B)
… etc.

 It is also possible to configure the Dual Wheel slots to use two filters together, if desired.  As an example if you wanted to sometimes image very bright targets, you could include a neutral density filter in the top wheel that stacks on top of RGB filters in the bottom wheel.  Please note that stacking two filters will result in a change in focus position compared to one filter.

This kit allows you to stack two AFW series filter wheels. It includes a two-piece adapter and a custom cable with three connectors, plus necessary screws.

The three main parts are:

• Bottom Dual Wheel Adapter.  This is the thinner adapter plate.
• Bottom Dual Wheel Adapter.  This is the thicker adapter plate.
• Three-connector cable.  One connector has a custom back shell, which is thin enough to be mounted between the two wheels.

See Description below for an explanation of the installation procedure.  Additional details are available in the AFW Filter Wheel Manual.

SBIG

T-mount to C-mount lens adapter

This has the standard 1-inch x 32TPI C-mount threads on the inside, and M42x0.75 T-thread on the outside.

Use this to attach a microscope or small security-camera lens to your camera’s M42x0.75 T-thread

Simply thread the adapter into the camera T-thread, and thread your lens or microscope into the C-mount threads.

SBIG

STL to StarChaser Adapters

Attach a modern StarChaser off-axis guide camera to your trusty SBIG STL Research Series camera.

Using StarChaser provides off-axis guiding in front of the filters for the maximum sensitivity, especially when using narrowband filters.

For large sensors (e.g. STL-11000) or when using the external STL filter wheel, it is better to choose the StarChaser SC-4.  It provides more spacing to the pick-off mirror and also has more backfocus adjustability.  The SC-4 supports the AO-X adaptive optics unit.  Note that you will need an adapter plate to connect to your telescope.

The ACC10 STL to StarChaser SC-4 adapter can also be used to attach an SBIG AFW Filter Wheels to an STL camera.

Model

• STL to SC-2 
• STL to SC-3/SC-4

Filter Insert 36mm to 1.25″

Use one insert for each 1.25″ filter.

Very useful for specialty filters that may not be available in the larger unmounted size.

Note:  Not compatible with the AFW slim series filter wheels (mounted filters are too thick).

Optional:

SBIG Filters and Guide

SBIG USB to Filter Wheel Adapter

Most SBIG filter wheels require a direct connection to an SBIG camera to be operated. Some specialized imaging configurations either require additional filter wheels, or a direct SBIG camera connection is not possible.   In this case, the SBIG USB to Filter Wheel Adapter (USB-FW) can be used to control the wheel.

Features

• USB Mini B interface, 15 foot (4.5 m) USB A to Mini B cable included
• DB-9 style I2C connector for filter wheel – connects to original filter wheel cable
• Universal AC power supply with 9 foot (2.7 m) extension cable and locking power connector included
• Uses ASCOM driver for control from most astronomical imaging software or via custom scripts
• Works with SBIG AFW series filter wheels, FW8S-STXL, FW8S-STT, FW8-8300, and FW7-STX.
• Supports dual wheel operation for the SBIG AFW series wheels

Note:  The USB-FW does not include mechanical adapters.  If the wheel is not directly coupled to an SBIG camera then custom mechanical adapters may be required.

Note:  Older SBIG wheels with a DB-9 style I2C connector may also be compatible, but have not been tested with the USB-FW adapter and correct operation is not guaranteed.

Compatile with:

SBIG AFW Filter Wheels

Documentation

Operating manual

Link