EFW and camera connection

tomstein

I have recently purchased the EFW 7x36mm and I am wondering about the recommended connection method to my ASI 2600mm. For the record, I am not using an OAG.
It seems the following two methods exist:

I have read it is better to remove the tilt plate, then attach the EFW directly to the camera, because of filters being closer to the sensor, less light leak risk, less risk of adapters getting loose etc.. - can you confirm this?
Currently I am following method 1 with the tilt plate on, T2-T2 adapter, then EFW.

If I changed to method 2, in detail I guess that would be: camera --> darkening ring --> EFW --> darkening ring --> ...
What would I need on the other side of the EFW? Following the diagram, I would need a 22.5 mm M42M-M48F extender?

wvreeven

For me removing the tilt plate and using small screws to connect the EFW to the camera definitely introduced a light leak. When using the tilt plate, it is possible to use a threaded ring that effectively blocks incoming light.

w7ay

wvreeven For me removing the tilt plate and using small screws to connect the EFW to the camera definitely introduced a light leak.

Wouter, you need this.

https://cloudbreakoptics.com/products/zwo-darkening-rings

Two sizes, be sure to pick the right one.

ZWO don't test their own products, that is why ZWO filter drawers and EFW all leak light. And they make you pay more money later to fix it at a cost to you, instead of offering a recall for a defective product. They are now at the 3rd generation of filter drawers -- light leak is now much better. But light still leaks from the circumference of the (white) stepper motor in their EFW, and need to be taped off.

Is there some commission in the EU you can report ZWO for not recalling defective products? In the US, the best we can do is to sue them in small claims court. Consumer protection is very weak here.

The fact that they have to produce the darkening rings (and ships them with new EFW) proves that the original product was defective. And yet, they do not offer these rings to original customers cost free.

Chen

tomstein

As I do not have the 22.5 mm M42M-M48F extender yet, I'd first try with method 1. Is the following setup correct?

My EFW came with the darkening rings, but I am not sure how to apply them.
Camera side: camera connected with T2-T2 connector, so there are no screws which would hold the darkening ring in place. Should I align the holes anyway? Or should I actually spin it so the holes are covered? This would make more sense to me as light leakage would be coming through the holes, correct?

Tech@ZWO

tomstein It lies on your connection way, if you connect via the screws, you need to align the holes, if you connect via threads, need to cover the holes.
According to your pic, the second way is better.