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How to connect QHY Cameras to DSLR Lenses

How to connect QHY Cameras to DSLR Lenses

Astrophotography unveils the stunning vistas of the cosmos, often demanding specialized equipment to fully capture its wonder. For those who already own Canon or Nikon lenses, integrating them with a QHY camera can significantly enhance your celestial photography, allowing you to delve into the realm of wide-field imaging without the added cost of new telescopes. Adapters provide a seamless connection between your QHY camera and these popular lenses, broadening your astrophotography possibilities.

In this article, we'll walk you through the practical steps to connect your QHY camera to your Canon and Nikon lenses. Equipped with the right adapters and a clear understanding of the setup, you'll be ready to transform your regular photo lenses into formidable astrophotography instruments. Let’s explore the steps and equipment required to transform your standard photo lenses into effective astrophotography tools.

How to install a lens and QHY camera on a mount

The first step is to securely install your camera along with your lens on a star tracker or mount. Here's how to get started:

Lens with a Foot

If your lens comes equipped with a foot, the process is straightforward. Simply attach the foot to your star tracker 1/4" mounting screw, or attach a dovetail plate to the foot if your mount features a Vixen or Losmandy style dovetail. This dovetail can then be easily mounted onto your star tracker or telescope mount, ensuring a stable and secure connection.

Lens without a Foot

For lenses that do not have a foot, you will need to use an holder ring or a tripod adapter. If your camera uses the M54 center adjustment ring (also called "tilt ring"), you can simply use QHY tripod adapter. 

However, this tilt ring is not present on all QHY cameras, and for those who don't have it, you need to use an holder ring. Luckily, the body of QHY cameras is often of 90mm, meaning that we can use the ZWO's 90mm holder ring! This specialized ring is designed to clasp securely around the body of your lens, providing a firm hold without risk to your equipment. The holder ring features a 1/4" threaded hole at the bottom, which is a common size for tripods and star tracker connections.

Attach the holder ring to your star tracker using a 1/4" screw. If you are using a mount with a Vixen or Losmandy style saddle, you will need to attach a dovetail plate to the bottom of the ring to interface with the mount. 

How to attach a QHY camera to a lens

After securing your camera setup on the star tracker or mount, the next crucial step is connecting your QHY camera to your chosen lens. This connection is made possible through specific adapters, tailored to fit Canon EF or Nikon F lenses. There are even adapters that allow to insert astrophotography filters in the optical train to enhance your images! Let's break down the adapters needed for each type of lens, and if your camera is not listed in the possibilities below, please contact us to see if we can provide a custom solution for your setup.

Canon EF lenses

Nikon F lenses

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