All Farpoint Products are made in the USA at our facilities in Gold River, California.
How to select and fit a focus mask for your telescope:
In 2009, George Carey, an amateur telescope maker and astronomer from the UK, published a modification of previous focus mask designs to make a much more sensitive version of the device. This focus mask allows you quickly, easily and precisely focus your DSLR camera, webcam or CCD camera for astrophotography. The method is simple, very intuitive, and the device has universally been named after the inventor: The "Carey Mask".
Attach your camera to the telescope, center a fairly bright star in your telescope and achieve a rough focus. Then place the mask over the front aperture of your telescope by “hanging” it on the plastic screws from the front dew shield. Take a short exposure. The image of the star will show diffraction spikes.
The Bahtinov Mask requires you to judge when the central spike is midway between the two angle spikes. This is quite easy to do, but there is still a little uncertainty in determining the exact center alignment, especially when viewing in a DSLR viewfinder.
With the Carey mask the central spike idea has been abandoned. The angle between spikes has been considerably reduced. Instead of two sloping sets of slits and one central set, there are four sets of slits, with a small angle difference on each side of the mask as shown in the image below.
The diffraction pattern produced is two overlapping 'X' shapes with slightly differing angles, and at perfect focus the Xs will be symmetrical.
Inside and outside focus the Xs will be displaced. Because the angle of each X is slightly different, it will be easy to spot when out of focus, and also which way focus should be altered.
This animation shows focus being reached.
Farpoint manufactures this "lifesaving" astrophotography tool out of virtually indestructible ABS plastic, which comes in two major types and in a range of sizes. The mask pictured below left is a general purpose mask designed to fit refractors and Newtonian telescopes. The mask pictured below right is designed to fit Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes. Both types of mask are available in a range of sizes to cover your imaging needs.
Rugged soft case designed to hold a complete iOptron SmartStar system, including tripod, mount, hand controller and accessories. It also holds iOptron's R80, N114, or MC90 OTA.
Padded shoulder straps for easy carrying
Made of heavy, water-resistant polyester/nylon with full-length zipper and handle strap
- Can be used with Antlia's Filter Drawer System (see below) - Telescope-sided adapter for M42*0.75 Female thread - Optical height: 0.5mm - Weight: 25g
SvBony SV172 Dew Heater for Telescopes and Camera Lens, 320mm
Designed for astronomy telescopes and cameras, protecting optical devices like telescopes and cameras from fogging or freezing
Prevents dew condensation from forming on the glass surface
Provides even heat distribution. Power-efficient design will not result in an extra drain on your power supply.
Three-speed regulator strong-medium-weak heating modes, you can adjust the temperature in different situations
Width of the 50mm narrow width design, will not block your field of view and will not have dark corners in the field
Great heat preservation effect: Imitating OK cloth, SBR and Black-T three-layer keep warm material fits the lens better, fast and even heating
Alloy fiber heating wire provides super fast and continuous warming, silicone insulation process can prevent internal short circuit
Measure the circumference of the telescope tube or camera lens (or measure the tube diameter - not the scope aperture - ×3.14). Compatible with OD of telescopes/lenses below 101mm
The standard package of Seestar comes complete with our top-of-the-line tripod included, ensuring that you have everything you need to capture stunning photos and videos right out of the box.
Be among the first to receive our exciting new product by placing your order now! Shipping will begin in August and orders will be fulfilled in the order they are received, so act fast to secure your purchase.