How to Mount a Camera to a Telescope

Choose a mount. Select one that fits your budget and your telescope model. Celestron (celestron.com) telescopes and accessories sells quality telescopes, mounts and other accessories. Shop online or at the store where you bought your telescope.

Prepare the camera. Load the film into the SLR manual camera and advance it to the first shot. For digital cameras, set the camera to a large F-stop or an ̶0;infinity̶1; setting. Select the lens (or aperture) you want to use.

Attach the camera to the telescope. Mount your manual or digital SLR camera to the outside of the telescope. Snap on the bracket to adhere the camera and telescope. Mount the camera on either the left or right side of the scope, depending on which side the fork, the two forked arms holding the optical tube in place, is located.

Screw in place. For most mounts, the screws in the telescope̵7;s optical tube will fit the mounting bracket. Swivel the bracket to be sure you can change the viewing angle by hand.

Secure the tripod into the metal mounting hole on the bottom of the camera. Use the "piggyback" method for two purposes: as a tracking mount and for additional guiding accuracy.