Another view of the Q7 fork setup. This illustrates the Markins M20 ballhead I used to solve a problem with the alignment pin on the form mount just behind it's 3/8" attachment bolt. that alignment pin registers with the intended optical tube but caused a problem with my Wimberly rail plate, preventing a flat mounting. As an added benefit, the M20 raised the concoction about 4" or so. With everything so low to the ground, every inch helped!

This is only the 2nd time I have mounted that lens to the fork, the prior occasion was a dry run for the eclipse, photographing the 12 day moon two days previous. Next moonless night I want to try some longer exposures on M42 (the great Orion Nebula) as well as some other star fields.

The main problem with this arrangement is that I need to mount the Q7 OTA just to align the mount, which is not easy to do since there are no fine adjustments. In particular the altitude adjustment on the leg is rather crude for fine alignment purposes. After aligning to the polar axis I had to swap the telescope for the camera/lens. That is a fairly major ordeal, just because of the weight and sensitivity of the gear, so it is something that is not easily rechecked later in the session. I may try using a thin wooden wedge to provide easier polar altitude alignment. None of this is fun in sub-freezing conditions.