{"product_id":"tele-vue-piggy-cam","title":"Tele Vue Piggy-Cam","description":"\u003cul class=\"DAV-feature-list\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounts directly to Tele Vue telescope ring systems\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStandard 1\/4\"-20 camera mounting thread\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMachined from solid, black anodized aluminum\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCaptive, knurled mounting knob for tool-free use\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnables wide-field piggyback astrophotography\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- more --\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"tabs\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"active\"\u003eDescription\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFAQ\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn the Box\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWarranty\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"tabs-content\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"active\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section-center\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCapture the Sky's Grand Design with Your Telescope Mount\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Tele Vue Piggy-Cam is a dedicated piggyback camera mount that transforms your tracking telescope into a stable platform for wide-field astrophotography. By leveraging your telescope's mount, it allows you to use a separate camera and lens to capture expansive targets like the Milky Way, large constellations, or sprawling nebulae that are too large for your telescope's primary optics. This simple, robust adapter is the most direct way to unite the precision of your mount with the flexibility of your DSLR or mirrorless camera.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eA Rock-Solid Foundation for Wide-Field Imaging\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Piggy-Cam is machined from a single piece of black anodized aluminum, creating a vibration-free connection between your camera and your Tele Vue ring mount. This rigid design is a critical component for sharp, untrailed star fields during long exposures. Unlike universal adapters that can introduce flexure, the Piggy-Cam is purpose-built for the Tele Vue ecosystem, ensuring a perfect, secure fit that maintains the pointing accuracy of your mount.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEffortless Camera Integration and Workflow\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAttaching your camera is straightforward and secure, thanks to the large, knurled 1\/4\"-20 captive knob. You can mount your camera body directly for a fixed orientation or, for maximum compositional freedom, attach a small ball head. This allows you to frame your shot independently of the telescope's exact pointing direction, making it easy to center a target while your main telescope is focused on a guide star or another object entirely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe primary trade-off for this simplicity is its dedicated design; it is not a universal part and is specifically intended for Tele Vue's own ring systems. However, for observers within that system, this specialization is its greatest strength, offering a level of stability that generic solutions cannot match. When you want to capture the full sweep of the Cygnus Loop or the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex using a 50mm or 135mm lens, the Piggy-Cam provides the essential, steady base your camera needs for multi-minute exposures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat telescopes does the Piggy-Cam work with?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Piggy-Cam is designed specifically to bolt onto Tele Vue's own telescope mounting rings, such as the MRS-4011 (4\") and MRS-5000 (5\") sets. It is not a universal adapter for other brands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eCan I use a ball head with the Piggy-Cam?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, and it is highly recommended. Attaching a sturdy photo ball head to the Piggy-Cam's 1\/4\"-20 screw gives you the freedom to aim your camera independently of the telescope, making framing much easier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat is piggyback astrophotography for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt allows you to use your telescope's tracking mount to take long-exposure photos with a standard camera and lens. This is ideal for capturing very wide celestial views that are too large to fit in the telescope's eyepiece or imaging sensor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eIs the mounting screw captive?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, the 1\/4\"-20 camera mounting screw is captive within the knob. This prevents it from being accidentally dropped and lost in the dark while you are setting up your equipment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWill this add a lot of weight to my setup?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo, the Piggy-Cam itself is very lightweight. The main weight consideration will be your camera and lens, but most equatorial mounts that can carry a Tele Vue refractor will handle the additional load without issue. Just be sure to re-balance your mount after adding the camera.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"DAV-specifications\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaterial\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack Anodized Aluminum\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCamera Connection\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1\/4\"-20 Male Thread\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTelescope Connection\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBolts directly to Tele Vue Mounting Ring Systems\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModel Number\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePGC-1001\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWeight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2.4 oz (68 g)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"DAV-grid\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"DAV-grid-item\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"DAV-item-title\"\u003ePiggy-Cam Camera Mount\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"DAV-item-subtitle\"\u003e× 1\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/pages\/tele-vue-warranty-policy\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eTele Vue 5-Year Limited Warranty\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"TeleVue","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51223881187613,"sku":"TV-PGC-1001","price":78.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/files\/Tele_Vue_Piggy-Cam_1.jpg?v=1777515028","url":"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/en-eu\/products\/tele-vue-piggy-cam","provider":"David Astro","version":"1.0","type":"link"}