Focus aid is it any good?

[Nico13 (Ken)]

Hi all,
Recently while in at the Bintel shop I was talking to one of the guys about getting a Bahtinov Mask to help with focusing through the DSLR camera and his quick response was no forget about them just fit a couple of strands of fine wire across the front of the scope and will cause star spikes when in focus.
He also said if you like the look of refraction spikes in your images leave the wires on while shooting.

Haven't had time to do anything about a mask so was wondering has anyone tried the wire cross trick and if so how well did it work for you.

[mill (Martin)]

Ok Ken: do NOT listen to "the guy" in the Bintel shop.
A Bahtinov mask works very well and you can also use the Bahtinov grabber program.

Martin.

[Dennis]

Both work well. Wires need fixing on each time which is probably more time consuming and fiddly than just fitting the Bahtinov mask on the front. Also, wires may get misplaced, lost or even fall down the tube, whereas the Bahtinov mask is less likely to.

Cheers

Dennis

[Nico13 (Ken)]

Originally Posted by mill

Ok Ken: do NOT listen to "the guy" in the Bintel shop.
A Bahtinov mask works very well and you can also use the Bahtinov grabber program.

Martin.

Thanks Martin,
I will no doubt wind up with the Bahtinov Mask as they are so neat and although I have never used one I guess they are fuss free. But as Dennis has said the wires do work and will suffice in the interim.
I'm not familiar with the Bahtinov grabber, will look into that.

Originally Posted by Dennis

Both work well. Wires need fixing on each time which is probably more time consuming and fiddly than just fitting the Bahtinov mask on the front. Also, wires may get misplaced, lost or even fall down the tube, whereas the Bahtinov mask is less likely to.

Cheers

Dennis

Thanks Dennis, will be trying to get out Friday night weather permitting so will give it a try until i can get the Bahtinov.

Thanks guys.