DSLR Focus settings

[EzyStyles]

Hi Guys just received the DSUSB adapter. Took only 6 business days to arrive very fast. Playing around with the settings and trying to do a test run. Anyway was wondering if my settings in DSLR Focus is correct. An example is from my screenshot attached. Ive set No Exposures to 3 and Exposure Time(Min) to 1. However, it only takes 2 x 1 min shots also with an 8 second shot in the middle ?

Are my settings ok/correct from the screenie?

Also what is the Mirror Lock function?

Thanks

[Lester]

Hi Eric,

cannot help you on the first part of your message. The mirror lock up, is so that the mirror can be locked up before you open the shutter to minimise vibration going through the camera.

[EzyStyles]

arh i see .. so that is what mirror lock is . cheers Lester.

[JohnG]

Hi Eric

You have the software set download to the camera, increase the time between the exposures, you really need to allow a bit longer, normally I have mine set to download to the Laptop and have about 30 seconds between shots.

Cheers

JohnG

[JohnG]

You might want to use the Automate setting, you have complete control over everything then.

JohnG

[EzyStyles]

cheers John. I had it set to download to laptop, but it takes much longer than saving it to the memory card? . The camera displays 'busy' for a longer period of time. strange, im using a powered USB2 hub which allows 7 usb2 devices. Maybe other usb devices which are connected to the hub interferes with the data transmission from the taken pics?

Do you use the mirror lock function? and if so what time should it be set to?
lol your avatar, i can't get enough of it.

thanks

[JohnG]

Give it a go without the hub, mine downloads in about a second.

JohnG

[JohnG]

I don't use the Mirror Lock function, with the lead in of 5 seconds, everything is stable, with your mount it won't cause any vibration.

A typical automated sequence for me looks like this:

ISO 800, Image RAW, Lead In 5 secs, Exposure 60 - 300 secs, Between shots 30 - 60 seconds. No. of exposures 10-15

JohnG

[Striker]

Everything looks right Eric....just remember to have the camera set on M for manual and also remember if you do start to use the mirror lock functions the focus part of the program will not work....I would start with out mirror lock activated till you get used to the camera.

Simply speaking....when activating the camera mirror lock in custom setting on the camera then having it ticked in DSLR focus....what it is doing is sending 3 signals one to open the shutter 2 to take the image then 3 to close the shutter....when focsing it only sends 2 signals one to open and take the image and the second to close the shutter...so mirror lock must be off to use focus functions in DSLR focus.

Hope that makes sence

[EzyStyles]

ok i won't use mirror lock . thanks for the reply guys. Going to try and use your settings John .

(NEWBIE ALTERT Q)
One other thing i don't get is the F ratio and ISO ? i mean what should it be set to on diff objects?

eg: nebulas? , galaxies? widefield shots?
How would you determine to use what settings for what?

[JohnG]

Eric

When you start mucking around in focus mode just use the space bar of your laptop to take the picture, it is a nice little shortcut. When you are satified with your focus parameters save them as the default, the program will start up with those parameters set.

The aim of the focus is to get the highest number and you have a number of aids to help you get there.

All good fun.

JohnG

[Striker]

Start with ISO 800.
F ratio is your scope F4 but that means nothing when imaging through a telescope.

[EzyStyles]

cheers guys. oh in regards to focusing, i don't have a motorfocus just a crayford 10:1. do i simply go into focus mode and take eg: 3 sec shots at the sky constantly for a bright star with nice diff spikes for focusing and adjust focus manually that way?

[Striker]

yep....just take 1 shot then adjust focus and look at the difference stats it gives you....focus in and out and see what information it tells you....you will soon pick up where it should be.

2 second exposures is ample.

[JohnG]

Yep, just do as Tony has said, I just hit the spacebar, look and adjust and hit the spacebar again, usually takes me about 4 shots.

With your 10:1 focuser, you only need a fraction of a turn, the numbers can change quite dramaticaly if you over do it.

You will pick it up quickly.

JohnG

[EzyStyles]

Hi Guys, I was trying to take some widefield shots with the 55mm lense. I tried downloading the images directly to the laptop, the camera small LCD screen blinks 'busy' for ages even though i connect it directly to the USB2 slot on the laptop not via the hub. In the end i gave up with frustration and packed my gear lol. The camera lense fogged up very fast. I dont have the t-thread adapter as yet to mount into the scope.

oh also, the set exposure time 2 mins, changes everytime it takes a shot? eg: 1st shot 2 mins, 2nd 55 seconds, 3rd 1 mins, 4th 8 secs, its very strange.

[JohnG]

Hi Eric

Just a reminder, did you change the Communication setting to PC, it is in the 3rd Menu option. That causes problems.

(On the Camera)

JohnG

[rogerg]

I have sometimes had my 350D take ages to save files to the PC. Normal time is under 1 sec (but will vary greatly based on the quality of memory card in your camera and USB capabilities).

I have been racking my brain trying to think what caused it Eric. Fixes/thigns to try that come to mind:
- rebooting the computer, starting a fresh connection to the camera through DSLRFocus
- manual mode on the camera
- disable mirror lock

Ahhhh! I know..... noise reduction on the 350D! !! that was it most of the time I think. Turn it off (under the functions menu somewhere). With it on, it'll sit there for the same time as the exposure doing a dark frame before it downloads the file, it'll just say "Busy.." or whatever while it does that.

Roger.

[EzyStyles]

Hi John, yep , camera's communication is set to PC.

[EzyStyles]

Hi Roger thanks for your help. YES! i have noise reduction on . that might be it. I thought you guys use that function?

[JohnG]

Ah, forgot about that one, I thought it was disabled as default anyway and that you had to enable it, forgotten myself now. I don't have it enabled.

JohnG

[Striker]

Turn it off...beter of doing your darks seperately.

get the camera working with DSLR focus before you start playing around with noise reduction and mirror lock.

[EzyStyles]

:bowdown: thanks for all your help guys. really appreciated. i'll test it out now. looks like tonight will be another clear night yay!

[Geoff45]

I've had this problem also. I can download thirty or forty images from my Canon, then it refuses to work. I have tryed switching everything off and then starting up again, but still won't work. I suspect it is an electrical type problem---batteries losing power or usb cords getting too cold or something. Anyway, I now use a remote controller for my camera and download from a card reader. Not as slick, but at least it works.
Geoff