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In astrophotography, if you want to take successful astronomy photographs, accurate focusing is only one half of the story. The Alstar flip mirror makes it very simple to find both the exact focus point and also the correct positioning for your astronomy photographs.
Adjusting the Flip Mirror Stop Angle
- Locate the socket head set screw on the bottom of the flip mirror body.
- If the subject is above the center of the field of view (when facing therear of the flip mirror), turn the set screw clockwise. lf the subject is belowthe center of the field of view, turn the set screw counter-clockwise.
Adjusting the Lever Tension
Keep the flip mirror lever in the “up" position to let the telescope focus on the camera. Flip the mirror to the “down" position to let the telescope focus on the eyepiece. With the flip mirror lever in the “up" position, focus your CCD camera using your telescope's focuser.
Flip Mirror Lever
There has a moveable flip mirror which shunts the light path 90°upwards or, alternatively, lets it pass through unhindered. With the flip mirror lever in the “up” position, focus your CCD camera using your telescope’s focuser. Then, flip the mirror to the “down” position to switch the light path to your eyepiece. Focus the eyepiece using the helical focus mechanism, making sure not to disrupt the telescope’s focuser.
Connection with the Telescopes
- Using the 1.25" nosepiece
- Using T-threads
Connection with Cameras
- For CCD cameras: Most commercial CCD cameras have accessible T-threads.
- For other cameras: Just add a T-ring to the original installation.
Connection with Eyepieces
- The Imaging Flip Mirror should reach focus with nearly all 1.25" eyepieces. (1.25" eyepiece adapter is indluded)
Cleaning and Storage
For example, there is only a little duston the lens. You can easily remove the dust with compressed air or blower bulb. If the lens is accidentally stained with finger prints or unclear during use, you need to remove the eyepiece frame from the overturned lens body first. Then dip the q-shaped head cleaning cotton swab into isopro-pyl alcohol or lens cleaning solution to avoid the accumulation of dust on the lens, you need to putthe dust cover back after use and put it back in the box.
Ralph B.
Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2024
Updated after 1 month: Working well. Suggest seller update and include link to or actual instruction manual in the box. Also include 1.5 and 2.5 mm wrenches, since both are needed to tighten mirror hingeBought this to help focus camera but was disappointed with condition when arrived. The mirror was loose and floppy and no tightening could fix it. Finally figured out that by loosening and tightening both types of set screws around the hinge it would tighten up enough to work. Really should include 1/16” Allen wrench required for this adjustment. Also think a smooth anodized surface vs roughened would make the focusing screws run better. But it did work.
James Murphy
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2023
I consider myself a semi-expert at photography, videomaking, etc. I'm decidedly a neophyte when it comes to telescopes. I got my wife a nice telescope as a Christmas gift and we've been learning how to use it. We've also started to pick up some accessories to go with it--eyepieces, filters, etc. My wife has been wanting to take photographs with it and this is a great help for that. It's not always easy to get the focusing right on the camera *and* the telescope so this is an excellent tool. Highly recommended!
Wall•E
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2023
It works mostly as intended and allows me to connect the camera to the telescope unit and the eyepiece. But the mirror is not precise enough so the image doesn’t end up centered. However it is consistent which means that if I learn where to off-center the image in the eyepiece I can get it centered in the camera. But I expected a little better, especially for the price.Build quality is OK. It’s like all of the other generic aluminum telescope accessories with generic white lettering that don’t quite have a professional appearance. They look somewhere between homemade and commercial.
Kim A. Kenny
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2022
It was always a pain to find your target through your Telescope, then remove your eyepiece and replace it with a camera. Now I can find my target, flip the mirror and just refocus through my 35mm camera or CCD camera. It's built well and can handle the weight. A great accessory for astrophotography. Kim Kenny - Crewe Observatory
Jeffry P Culp
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2022
It simply works!
Johnnie Strong
Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2021
Works as advertised
John S. in Florida
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2021
The Alstar Flip Mirror is well made and performs as advertised. The shipping container is nicely padded to protect the mirror during shipping. The container would function well as a storage container too. The Alstar Flip Mirror arrived without a few pieces, I contacted Alstar and the missing pieces were shipped the next day.
pencildn
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2020
When using a barlow lense in the top the flip cover inside hits the lense. So the barlow lense can not be inserted all the way in. I used my focal ring for that and now cant use it for my camera Also, it tends to fall out of the telescope when using at a high angle
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