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Imaging with a Meade LX200 10” and the Canon Digital Rebel

Using DSLRFocus 3.xx

By: Jerry Hilburn – San Diego Astronomy Association – Astro Imaging Chair – http://aisig.sdaa.org

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Gather the

Parts

• Camera Battery or Power Supply• Canon USB/SIPP Cable & Connector• Parallel DB-25/SIPP Connector – Bulb Mode Control• Canon Digital Rebel• Meade or Celestron 6.3 Focal Reducer• T-Ring Canon EOS 35 MM SLR Camera• Meade or Televue Basic Camera Adapter – 1.25 or 2 in.• Laptop – XP running DSLRFocus 3.xx

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Prepare the Telescope1. Set Tube and Forks to North / 902. Using the Auto Star Hand Controller3. Perform One Star Alignment4. Perform Polar Align & GPS Detect5. Site Polaris – Adjust Wedge 6. Find Alignment star 7. Align Guide Scopes to Eye Piece Center8. Perform Drift Alignment – Adjust Wedge9. Perform PEC Update/Alignment10. Set Micro Focuser to Center Position

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Prepare the Camera1. Insure Camera is OFF2. Insure Laptop is OFF3. Connect T-Ring to Camera4. Connect Eyepiece Adapter5. Connect Battery / PS6. Connect Bulb Cable7. To Camera8. To PC Parallel9. Connect USB Adapter10. To Camera11. To PC USB12.Connect Camera to Scope

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Focus Setup Detail• Unlock Mirror

• Attach Eyepiece and Set Gross Focus on Target Focus Star

• Remove Eyepiece

• Attach Camera and Set Micro focuser to Center Point

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Power On the Laptop - Start DSLR FocusTurn on Camera – Set to Manual ModeCancel EOS Kiss Rebel 300D Device Connected Dialog

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1. Find Ports – LPT2. Enable Parallel3. Test Port4. Close Dialog

Port Setup

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Setup DSLRFocus Connection

Select Application – Connect to CameraAcknowledge Camera Model Selection Dialog Box

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Start Focus Mode8 Second Cycle800 ISO2 Second ExposureFrame Image at 30% to Start

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Center the Image

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1. Manually Gross Focus2. Lock The Mirror

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Electronic Focus Analysis Mode

HFWHM (Horizontal Full Width Half Maximum)VFWHM (Vertical Full Width Half Maximum)A measure of the size of the image, it is defined as the width of the Gaussian fit at half the maximum value. Ideally both should be the same. If different it indicates a problem in collimation, or bad seeing conditions.

RSV (Radial Sum Value)Radial sum value is a relative measure of star width. As the star gets smaller this number gets bigger.

Peak (Peak Value)Peak Value is the measure of the brightest pixels in an image. A perfectly focused image will have a higher peak value than an out of focus image. Your goal is to obtain the highest peak value possible.

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See DSLRFocusHelp File SystemFor Detail Info onFocus Analysis Mode

When using thisMode be sure toonly use the microfocuser to adjustfocus

NEEDS FOCUS!

H&V=10.00RSV=4.00Peak=248

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BEST FOCUS!

H&V=6.00RSV=3.16Peak=254.5

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Mask Focus Technique

Add Mask - Continue Gross FocusWhen you have a dot then Lock the MirrorZoom to 100% - Focus Till 3 Dots = 1 DotChange ISO 200 Time to 1 Second Zoom in to 200% Focus until Dot is Best CircleUse Micro Focuser to Adjust To Best Circular

Dimension

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View After You Add the Mask

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Focus past best focus and the dots reverse.

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Getting Closer – Change Micro Focuser SpeedTo Slow

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Once you have a dot at 100%...

Zoom to 200%Set ISO to 200Exposure to 1 SecondFocus till at best focus

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Setup Long Exposure

ISO 800Large Fine or RawBulb Mode30 Seconds5 Second Lead inVoice Countdown3 Seconds Between Exposures

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Setup File Naming

Set DirectorySet Object Name

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Take the Shot!

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M104 – 5 Stacked800 ISO – 90 Seconds

6.3 Focal Reducer & Photo Shop & Neat Image

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M17 – 5 Stacked800 ISO – 90 Seconds

6.3 Focal Reducer & Photo Shop & Neat Image

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M57 – 5 Stacked800 ISO – 60 Seconds

6.3 Focal Reducer & Photo Shop & Neat Image

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Comet Temple 9b – 5 Stacked800 ISO – 60 Seconds

Prime Focus & Photo Shop & Neat Image

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