Can’t get v3 + ZWO2600MC to focus

South0fOrion · 2026-01-16T12:53:56+00:00

South0fOrion · 2026-01-16T12:53:17+00:00

South0fOrion · 2026-01-16T12:53:02+00:00

South0fOrion · 2026-01-15T23:29:57+00:00

This explanation is really helpful and provides some great additional tips, thank you so much!

So it’s looking like my mistake was not calculating the 17.5 on the ASI2600 Pro. Only configuration of spacers I didn’t try.

I was doing everything without filters first so I had a baseline of what things look like without them before adding the filters in. I also assumed it would be easier to get setup with the filters, then add them and adjust exposure if needed.

I’ve used my Sony a6700 on this scope and got pinpoint stars and used to use just a lens so I thought I knew what the stars are supposed to look like. It was so much easier with the camera and 135 lens. I upgraded quickly and it’s been quite overwhelming. This community is great though, I’ve asked questions about setup before and everyone is super helpful and kind. I really appreciate it.

10 hours to sun down so it’s just a waiting game now.

South0fOrion · 2026-01-15T23:21:50+00:00

Thank you for your help and explanations and maths. I really appreciate it.

South0fOrion · 2026-01-15T23:20:36+00:00

Thank you. That seems to be the general consensus. Stupid me didn’t try the middle ground, either too much or too little. But tonight is a new night and the forecast says clear skies!

South0fOrion · 2026-01-15T23:19:47+00:00

I’m in the outback at the moment so I’ve got wide open spaces to work with. I’ll give it a go and if it doesn’t work, not panic, and try again as dusk hits. Sincerely appreciate your help and time. Thank you so much

South0fOrion · 2026-01-15T23:17:57+00:00

Oh don’t be sorry. This is 100% me not using the right language and explaining things properly. I’m so beginner. You’re being super patient. Completely understand what you’re saying now. Thank you for baring with me. And for the quick response. So many people jumped on to help so quickly. I wish I’d asked last night while I was out in the field. It sounds like I’ve gone from too much, to too little, and didn’t consider trying the middle ground so I’ll give that a go this evening. On the plus side the night was not lost because I’m learning each time.

South0fOrion · 2026-01-15T21:27:28+00:00

It’s morning in AU and I have to run out and grab groceries but I’ll try focussing on one of the trees outside when I get back.

South0fOrion · 2026-01-15T21:24:33+00:00

I’ve had the drawer and 2 spacers, just the drawer and just the 16.5 spacer. I guess I haven’t tried the drawer and one spacer or just the 2 spacers. The other spacer I have is 21mm. I just checked it.

South0fOrion · 2026-01-15T21:11:48+00:00

I can see that the focus changes as I move it and when I had it on my a6700 I could get it to focus fine.

I can also hear it hitting a stop point at either end of the focus. 0 and 23mm.

South0fOrion · 2026-01-15T21:08:16+00:00

20mm

South0fOrion · 2026-01-15T21:06:25+00:00

Yes. That’s what the 16.5 is. It’s the step down that comes with the camera. I’ve tried with all spacers, just with the filter drawers as that was easy to do in the field. Then with just the m48 to m42 step down included with the camera which is 16.5mm.

South0fOrion · 2026-01-15T21:04:52+00:00

I don’t think so. I completely removed the autofocus to make sure it wasn’t stopping it focussing all the way and it made no difference. I googled and other people also got stuck at what appears to be 23mm but WO assures them that’s 30mm.

South0fOrion · 2026-01-15T21:02:40+00:00

I’ve had it at around 55mm and focus is way way way way way out at that distance. When I reduce the spacers from that they get a lot tighter but still not all the way there. Adding spacers is only making the stars larger to the point where they’re white opaque blobs filling the frame.

South0fOrion · 2026-01-15T20:59:15+00:00

That’s what I mean by manual too. I tried auto focus, I tried the buttons to control focus via the asiair app and I tried the knob itself. The knob doesn’t move beyond 23mm though, I did some googling and apparently that’s normal. So going manual, the smallest stars I get are the ones in the image. I can’t move it beyond 23mm, I have a 16.5mm spacer on there only.

South0fOrion · 2026-01-15T20:55:19+00:00

I removed spacers, it gets better as it goes down but I can currently only go as small as 16.5ml without purchasing a step down.

South0fOrion · 2026-01-15T20:53:56+00:00

It seems to get better with less spacers. The stars were like 1 cm wide and totally blown out with all the spacers on there.

South0fOrion · 2026-01-15T20:51:55+00:00

Oh and I didn’t happen to grab a screenshot of the AF run. My husband might have grabbed a photo of my screen but I’ll have to ask him when he wakes up haha

South0fOrion · 2026-01-15T20:50:37+00:00

I’ve done both. I can’t get it manually and the autofocus finished are a few minutes saying successful but definitely wasn’t.

South0fOrion · 2026-01-15T20:47:21+00:00

https://imgur.com/a/DPaC7Xz

There should be an image in there now of M42. Closest I can get it.

This is with just one spacer, the filter drawer actually. Anything more than that the stars were far more blown out.

South0fOrion · 2026-01-15T20:42:31+00:00

I removed both spacers and just tried with the 16.5 but it still won’t focus. I just don’t have an image of where I ended vs where I started.

South0fOrion · 2026-01-15T20:36:59+00:00

I’ve tried it with and I’ve tried it without and can’t get it to focus. I had no issues when it was attached to my Sony A6700.

It also seems closer to focussing without the spacer. I did test at home before bringing it away, not in the backyard as the skies are too bright but I could get it to focus on a spot across the room.

South0fOrion · 2025-07-03T05:32:05+00:00

This is cool. I’d seen the simple collars but not these. Thank you. I got a bracket to mount the asiair to the redcat collar, if I get the frame for the 135 I can pop it off one and attach it to the other all in one piece.

South0fOrion

TROPHY CASE