Hey Chad,
I'm certainly not an expert at this yet, because I'm still learning at this stuff myself.
But, from what I've learned from using a reflector to do imaging, you need to make sure you can get a focus with the camera at prime focus first. (using the primary mirror as the lens).
I'd recommend starting, as I did, using just a T-adapter with the camera to see if you can get a focus with that scope. I'm using a 12.5" homemade Newt. with a 1905 mm focal length, and I had to move my primary mirror in a little in order to get a focus, because I had a short profile focuser.
I see that Dave has responded, and Dave knows more about this stuff than I, because he's been doing this much longer.
Maybe some of our other experts will chime in on this too.
Good luck, Johnny
-----Original Message-----
From: "Astrophotography" <astrophotography@centexastronomy.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 8, 2017 12:03pm
To: "johnnyb@reagan.com" <johnnyb@reagan.com>
Subject: Getting Started <<$165885325548$>>
Hello All,
I am new to astronomy but have always loved it. I have recently purchased a Celestron Astromaster 130EQ and a Canon T5. I have been doing some extensive research on line regarding best affordable equipment to purchase to begin in astrophotography. I have already piggy backed quite a few nights and want to get just a bit more.
I understand the basics of getting a T ring for the EOS series cameras, which is a given. What comes next is a bit frustrating and am hoping someone can push me in the right direction before blindly spending money on equipment that either wont work or will minimize my capability.
The focal point for my scope is right where the eyepiece is placed. To be able to focus a DSLR I understand that I need to extend the focal point. To do this, I have read that I can use a T Adapter Barlow to achieve this extension of the focal point to the cameras sensor. Where the frustration comes in, several threads have personnel who use this set up say that they can not achieve focus, while others say that they have utilizing the 130EQ. Still others, say that I will need a deluxe adapter kit which includes the T ring, and Adapter which will allow you to place an eyepiece in it. Listed - http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/252644906471?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true
I am not entirely sure how the latter will extend the focal point to the camera sensor.
I am leaning towards the Barlow T Adapter with T ring to start with, however, as stated before I don't wish to spend anything that I wont be utilizing until I get a better scope which is quite a ways down the road.
Thank you in advance for the help.