Rotator and Quick-Release Adapter TS Optics 360° T2 5.5 mm

TS Optics TST2Rot - 360° rotating and quick-release T2 adapter, 5.5 mm

The TST2Rot is a compact T2 adapter that solves two problems astrophotographers face every session - unwanted camera rotation during focusing, and time-consuming camera swaps. With an exceptionally low profile of just 5.5 mm, it fits into almost any adapter train without adding significant optical path. It delivers two completely separate functions in one small component: smooth 360° rotation and instant camera release.

Rotate your camera without losing focus

The T2 camera rotation adapter lets you turn your camera to any angle without disturbing the focus you have already achieved. When photographing nebulae or galaxies, you can adjust your image composition even when the camera is screwed in via a thread - something standard adapters simply do not allow.

This is especially useful when using afocal projection with the Baader Hyperion Zoom eyepiece. Changing the focal length of that eyepiece automatically rotates the camera. Without a rotating adapter, you would need to re-align the entire setup each time. With the TST2Rot, a single movement returns the camera to the correct orientation.

The same benefit applies when comparing lunar or solar images. Precise alignment by coordinates saves long minutes of post-processing adjustments.

Quick-release - swap cameras in seconds

The quick-release mechanism lets you remove the camera from the telescope instantly - no threading, no risk of tangled cables. Need to change batteries or switch to a different camera? Simply release the connector. The camera detaches while all cables remain connected to it, and the focus position is preserved. When you reconnect, the camera returns to exactly the same position with no re-alignment needed.

This is particularly useful when working with ASIAIR or other control units, where the camera is connected to multiple devices at the same time.

Faster guide star acquisition for autoguiding

If you use an autoguider, you will recognise the situation where no suitable guide star falls within the field of view of the guiding camera. Rotating the autoguider camera with the TST2Rot speeds up the search significantly. Simply turn the camera in the right direction without rebuilding the whole setup. This small detail can decide whether your session starts on time or whether you spend half an hour searching for a guide star at an otherwise perfect dark-sky site.

Practical notes and usage tips

If you disconnect the camera and leave one connector side open, we recommend placing the counterpart from a second TST2Rot unit over the open port together with a suitable dust cap (see the accessories section). This protects both the threads and the optical surfaces from dust.

Please note that with some accessories the contact surfaces do not reach fully to the seating faces of the rotating adapter. The resulting optical path may then be slightly longer than the specified 5.5 mm. For applications sensitive to precise back focus distance - such as coma correctors - always verify the actual path length with a calliper.

Example from practice

A coma corrector with a 55 mm working distance and M48 thread, combined with a ZWO planetary camera (flange focal distance 12.5 mm), requires an adapter train of 42.5 mm. The combination TSM48-T2L + TST2Rot + T2Abstimmring03 + TST2V30 achieved the required value as measured with a calliper, even though the nominal sum of the individual components is 41.8 mm.

Key features

• 360° smooth rotation with T2 thread - adjust camera orientation without losing focus
• Quick-release mechanism - remove and reattach the camera in seconds
• Ultra-low profile - only 5.5 mm optical path
• Fits into virtually any T2 adapter train
• Ideal for use with autoguiders, planetary cameras and ASIAIR setups
• Preserves focus and cable connections during camera swaps

Technical specifications