The ASG Photon Cage RASA 8 package was designed to provide tilt, backfocus, and removable filter slider capabilities to the famous Celestron RASA 8.  This is simply a pre-packaged ready to go setup with all the necessary parts for a large 90mm diameter astro camera such as the ASI 12.5mm backfocus 2600/2400.  Same great Photon Cage, just in a pre-packaged configuration.

If you decide to move away from a RASA 8, no problem... just unbolt the lower filter slider and you have a regular 90mm Photon Cage ready to bolt to an EFW, Epsilon, Refractor, SCT, or other scope.

What's Included?

Here is a complete list of the parts included:

• 90mm Photon Cage
• Custom RASA 8 filter slider and camera mount unit
• Your choice of filter sliders

What's left to complete the assembly?

Nothing, this unit will thread directly onto your RASA 8 and provide a full filter slider system along with a Photon cage directly attached in one unit.  Should you decide to use the Photon Cage on another camera or telescope combination, simply unbolt the lower assembly.

Modular Design

The ASG Photon Cage is unique in that it was designed to work on RASA telescopes as well as mount to any electronic filter wheel or optical train.  We now make the Photon Cage with multiple modular bolt patterns; our ASG 5 bolt fitler slider pattern as well as the common 6 bolt EFW bolt patterns.  We also provide M54 female threads for a universal application.

New! ZWO 2600 Duo Compatibility included

We are now going to include the DUO 2600 compatible ring as part of our standard 90mm cage system moving forward.  This extra feature makes special room for the ZWO DUO 2600 focuser knob.  Now you can use a DUO camera on a RASA 8 AND have room for a filter slider if you need as well.  Remove the RASA 8 baseplate and you have a full photon cage system ready to bolt to any scope later on.

New! Player One Octagonal Compatible 

Let us know if you run a Player One Octagonal design and we can provide a special adapter to make it operate with this special unique body style.  We shorten the height of the cage and add 2 specially designed clamp rings to make it fit inside our cylindrical design.  This allows you to remove the 5mm tilt plate that comes with your Player One and delivers high precision tilt and backfocus adjustment where not present on their current design.

Main Baseplate Connection Options

The ASG Photon Cage is now shipping with one single modular baseplate that includes a variety of mounting options.

1.  M54 female threads are universal and accept any M54 extension or adapter.  Thread depth is 3mm.
2.  6 bolt EFW pattern to mount to your filter wheel with M2.5 screws.  This is the standard 62mm diameter pattern found on most larger EFW systems.
3.  5 bolt ASG Filter Slider pattern to mount our own standard filter slider holders.

If not using these ports, we offer plugs and set screws to close holes you may not need!  Please note that if you use a 6 bolt EFW, it should have M2.5 screws with it and that are the correct lengths to adapt.  We do not provide the EFW bolts, we only provide the M2.5 6 bolt threaded holes on our end.

Filter Slider features

The Photon Cage is specifically designed with an ultra-thin filter slider system so that it can be cross-compatible with RASA 8's but also on other scopes. Specifically designed so you can take it with you when upgrading from a RASA 8 to a RASA 11 or simply switching between telescopes.  You can even use the entire system on a refractor, SCT, Epsilon, or Newtonians.

Special RASA 8 filter slider is for those using a RASA 8 + 90mm camera such as 2600mm/mc.  This special setup replaces the lock ring and uses our economical 2" mounted filter sliders.  No baseplate is needed as it threads onto your RASA 8.

We offer our filter sliders in CNC machined aluminum with thumbscrew and set screws OR you can choose the lower cost 3D printed but equally capable filter sliders.  Custom boxes are also available in a variety of custom configurations such as RGB, HOS, LRGBHOS, Photometry UBVRI, or even blanks.  We can even custom engrave the CNC filter sliders with your filter specs on it!

Tilt features

The Photon Cage really excels in replacing the stock tilt plates on many astrophotography cameras with a system that is accessible from the rear.  We use super fine 120tpi thread adjuster screws to give you 4-corner tilt adjustment across all our systems to really get those corner stars flat and round.  Use popular software such as ASTAP or CCD Inspector to calibrate or visually monitor your corner stars and get the flat field you need with easy to access adjustment screws.

Backfocus features

The ASG Photon Cage provides backfocus adjustment with push-pull technology.  Configure your entire optical train to -.5mm or -1mm under specification and then fine tune your backfocus in and out with our outer ring system.  The Photon Cage offers about 5mm or so of total adjustment.  No more adding washers or extra spacers here and there, now you can micro-adjust using fine thread adjustment your backfocus and dial in that perfect shot.

What Do You Need?

It can be confusing trying to add up the adapters and spacing, so we make it modular and easy.  We take the guess work out of it and build a pre-packaged system her specifically for your Celestron RASA 8.  This system comes with a 90mm Photon Cage and the ASG RASA 8 filter slider/mount system.  Just thread the unit on, slide your camera in and you are just under the recommended backfocus ready to begin final tweaking.

This system lets you pick 3D printed or CNC 2" mounted filter sliders.  We offer a variety of options and combinations in most popular combos.

Filter Slider Options

We offer a variety of bulk filter slider options.  Pick from CNC aluminum laser engraved or our 3D printed options in a RGB, HOS, LRGBHOS, UBVRI, or even blank boxes.  Save when you purchase as a package.  Our filter sliders are specifically engineered for our Photon Cage and will work with any of our devices.  We also offer custom engraving services to mark CNC filter sliders or boxes with your specific filter needs.  Contact us for this service.