Rent a scope

[ibliz]

Hi,

May I kindly ask what GEM you are using? And would you please enlighten me on how to attach the telephoto lens to the GEM, preferably via an arca swiss style lens plate? I have a 300/2.8 lens myself and Iam looking for a GEM of reasonabe size and weight for a hiking trip to the forest or mountain away from city light. I'd be thankful if you could recommend one to me. A million thanks.

[cloud_cover]

I'm not the person you're asking, but I attach my 70-200mm lens using a vixen style dovetail plate (I'm using a Vixen mount). There are mounting screw holes on the foot of my lens and these also fit the Vixen dovetail quite nicely so they can be bolted together.

[orly_andico]

The 300/2.8 is quite heavy. That is equivalent to a 100mm telescope, even heavier.

Your typical small GEM like the Kenko Sky Memo or Teegul Sky Patrol won't carry it.

You would need a minimum of a Vixen SXW or GP2 class mount to carry a 300/2.8 successfully.

I've only used a 100mm lens because it was the longest lens I had at the time, on a Vixen GP.

[ibliz]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I really appreciate it. One more questions, is it even possible at all for me to attach the drive mount to a carbon fiber tripod such as gitzo ?
I really cant imagine carrying a 2 inch stainless steel tube tripod during a 2 days hike.

[dolphy2910]

with 300-70 refractor we still can see M42, just a matter how to take it, I believe.
Sorry Orly, what is GEM btw? Im newbie here.

[cloud_cover]

GEM is a German Equatorial Mount, used mainly by Germans living on the Equator (i.e. in Singapore)

Seriously, its a mount which moves in Right Ascension and Declination instead of up-down-left-right thus tracing the rotation of stars exactly, hence being the mount of choice in astrophotography. Visually it has few benefits over an alt-az mount, is often heavier, carries less load for its own weight and is not intuitive to use unless you are familiar with RA/DEC celestial coordinates.