Do I need the 5mm M54-M54 adapter for my QHY268M camera purchased in 2022?
Yes, very likely. This 5mm M54-M54 adapter was officially included in camera packages starting in June 2023. If you bought your QHY268M or QHY600M before that date and are using the B1/C1 adapter configurations, you will need to purchase this part separately to achieve the correct back focus.
How do I use the 5mm M54-M54 adapter to connect my QHY600M to an M54 filter wheel?
You would typically place the 5mm M54-M54 adapter between your camera's front plate and the filter wheel, or between the filter wheel and your flattener/reducer. Its purpose is to consume 5mm of the optical path to help you reach the total back focus distance specified by your telescope's optics.
What is the exact spacing provided by this 5mm M54-M54 adapter?
This adapter provides exactly 5mm of spacing (optical path length). It is precision-machined to this tolerance to ensure accurate back focus calculations.
What are the thread types on the 5mm M54-M54 adapter?
The adapter has M54 female threads on one side and M54 male threads on the other. This allows it to act as a simple extension, connecting two components that both have M54 threads.
Is this 5mm M54-M54 adapter included with new QHY cameras?
Yes, since June 2023, the 5mm M54-M54 adapter is included as part of the Combo B1 and C1 adapter kits that ship with the QHY268M-PH SBFL and QHY600M-PH SBFL camera packages. This listing is for users who need to purchase it separately.
Why is a 5mm spacer like this M54-M54 adapter important?
Modern correctors, flatteners, and reducers require a very specific distance to the camera sensor to produce sharp stars across the entire field of view. An error of even a millimeter can introduce distortion. A 5mm spacer like this adapter is a fundamental tool for precisely hitting that target distance when the camera and other accessories don't add up to the exact number required.
