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Capture the Sky's Grand Design with Your Telescope Mount
The 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.
A Rock-Solid Foundation for Wide-Field Imaging
The 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.
Effortless Camera Integration and Workflow
Attaching 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.
The 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.
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What telescopes does the Piggy-Cam work with?
The 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.
Can I use a ball head with the Piggy-Cam?
Yes, 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.
What is piggyback astrophotography for?
It 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.
Is the mounting screw captive?
Yes, 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.
Will this add a lot of weight to my setup?
No, 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.
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| Material |
Black Anodized Aluminum |
| Camera Connection |
1/4"-20 Male Thread |
| Telescope Connection |
Bolts directly to Tele Vue Mounting Ring Systems |
| Model Number |
PGC-1001 |
| Weight |
2.4 oz (68 g) |
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Piggy-Cam Camera Mount
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Tele Vue 5-Year Limited Warranty
