Nightfall Astro Products

The Nightfall Astro Ring Platform is a fully integrated mounting platform for use with a Sigma ART 85mm F1.4 lens for widefield astrophotography.  This mounting platform allows the easy attachment of the following components to create a fully automated imaging system which can be used locally or at a remote observatory.

• ZWO Electronic Auto Focuser (EAF)
• Guidescope
• Filter Wheel
• ASIAIR or miniPC
• Power distribution unit
• Piggy back camera using the optional ballhead adapter plate

Extreme Widefield - Twice the FOV of the Rokinon 135mm

The Sigma 85mm ART lens is by far my favorite lens to image with.  It's field of view is nearly twice that of the Rokinon 135mm, and spectacular widefield images can be easily obtained with this extremely fast lens such as the Integrated Flux Nebula (IFN) captured here with galaxies, M81 and M82, at the center.

Achieving the Perfect Focus - The Key to Great Astrophotography

I've been doing astrophotography for nearly 30 years and from experience, I've learned focusing has always been the most difficult and challenging aspect of astrophotography especially with fast lenses where the critical focus range is so narrow.  With an integrated autofocus system using the ZWO EAF focuser and a backlash-free belt, you can now get perfect focus all the time and throughout the entire night.

Fully Automated System

Integrating a ZWO EAF focuser, guidescope, and ASIAIR or miniPC, you can now have a fully automated system suitable for full remote operation on the otherside of the world.  Imagine photographying the Milkyway with a widefield set-up in the high deserts of Chile, in Namibia in Southern Africa, or at one of the many remote observatories here in the United States.

Specifications and Compatibility

Nightfall Ring Platforms are designed, engineered, and manufactured here in the USA, with components 3D printed using advanced thermoplastics including PETG and PLA+(tough) which are water-resistant and can withstand harsh outdoor conditions in temperatures from below freezing at -15F up to +175F.  All hardware used is 18-8 stainless steel with thumbscrews being red, anodized aluminum.

This Nightfall Astro Ring Platform is compatible with the following lens:

• Sigma ART 85mm F1.4 for Canon or Nikon
  

What's include in the standard mounting kit:

• Two (2) heavy-duty mounting rings
• Vixen accessory saddle rail
• Two (2) anodized red thumbscrews for accessory saddle
• Two (2) anodicated red thumbscrews for mounting rings
• Misc. 18-8 stainless steel mounting screws
• Two (2) M6 socket screws for mounting rings to a dovetail bar

What's included in the ZWO EAF mounting kit:

• Everything in the standard mounting kit above
  
• Focus gear assembly
• Timing belt
• Timing pulley
• ZWO EAF mounting bracket with stainless steel mounting screw