Focussing DSLR

Outbackmanyep · #1 05-11-2007, 11:03 PM

Hey guys!
I was just reading about focusing D SLR on the telescope, as some of my images needed a bit of fine tuning but the problem i had was that my right angle finder still wouldn't find faint stars, i had to rely on a bright star and that bloody matte screen!

BUT.....im sure some of you are aware of this already...perhaps....
i found a website that said you can use a your AV/Video output of the camera, plug it into a small TV screen and use your shots to produce an image on a small tv screen and adjust focus by trial and error! I have a small 12V TV screen but i don't have a laptop with USB2 port for using the Focus software! AND i can't run my laptop off 12V ! So for field trips this is awesome!

I'm gonna give this a go when i get round to it!

Cheers!

iceman (Mike) · #2 06-11-2007, 12:46 AM

I use a computer now, no guesswork needed!

[1ponders] (Paul) · #3 06-11-2007, 08:16 AM

Why can't you run your laptop off 12V? There are plenty of adapters around to convert from 12V to whatever you need.

Geoff45 (Geoff) · #4 06-11-2007, 01:16 PM

You could also try a Hartmann mask . I use it for laptop focusing, but with a bright star you could probably use the camera screen to get much better focus than by just using your eye.
Geoff

Outbackmanyep · #5 06-11-2007, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

Why can't you run your laptop off 12V? There are plenty of adapters around to convert from 12V to whatever you need.

My laptop requires 19V to run!

Besides i havent got the money to buy an inverter!! So i'll use what i have available to me!

I'll give this a go first and see how it goes!

Cheers!

rogerg (Roger) · #6 06-11-2007, 03:11 PM

Hmm, 19v is an awkward voltage! I'd normally recommend something like the "12V Laptop Car Power Supply" on this page, but I haven't seen one that does 19v. Bit costly too ($70+ from memory).

I have often wanted to try using a TV or similar device plugged in to the camer'as AV, but one thing I keep thinking of is that the resolution of the TV probably isn't up to the task of a sharp focus. Still would be interesting to try.

Another option is a ZigView, better than a TV but not as good as a laptop. But they cost $.

Roger.

Outbackmanyep · #7 06-11-2007, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogerg

Hmm, 19v is an awkward voltage! I'd normally recommend something like the "12V Laptop Car Power Supply" on this page, but I haven't seen one that does 19v. Bit costly too ($70+ from memory).

I have often wanted to try using a TV or similar device plugged in to the camer'as AV, but one thing I keep thinking of is that the resolution of the TV probably isn't up to the task of a sharp focus. Still would be interesting to try.

Another option is a ZigView, better than a TV but not as good as a laptop. But they cost $.

Roger.

Thanks rogerg, i'll keep that in mind!
I know laptop is the way to go, my laptop was a hand-me-down from my brother, its ok to use, i use it for my LPI Imaging, but the battery doesnt last long without the charger attached to it, the battery must be almost finished,
im not gonna fork out $$ to replace it, when i get round to it i'll get a USB 2 fitted to it and get other things fixed on it.....
I'll let you all know how it goes and what problems i come across....NOTHINGS PERFECT!!

[1ponders] (Paul) · #8 06-11-2007, 05:20 PM

Not a problem. D1ck Smith.....A Kerio Energy Knight works a treat! I have one laptop that needs 16V another needed 18V and my Acer needs 19V. The Kerio Energy Knight comes with a number of different "fuse" type inserts (I know its not a fuse but that is what it looks like) that you swap over for different voltages. As I said it works a treat. Here are a number of types http://dseau.resultspage.com/search....=10&submit.y=4

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/KERIO-Energy-...QQcmdZViewItem

The beauty of this setup is that when your old laptop carks it you can use it on the new one by swapping over the fuse and the plug.

Outbackmanyep · #9 07-11-2007, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

Not a problem. D1ck Smith.....A Kerio Energy Knight works a treat! I have one laptop that needs 16V another needed 18V and my Acer needs 19V. The Kerio Energy Knight comes with a number of different "fuse" type inserts (I know its not a fuse but that is what it looks like) that you swap over for different voltages. As I said it works a treat. Here are a number of types http://dseau.resultspage.com/search....=10&submit.y=4

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/KERIO-Energy-...QQcmdZViewItem

The beauty of this setup is that when your old laptop carks it you can use it on the new one by swapping over the fuse and the plug.

Thankyou 1ponders!
I'll definitely look into that!

Cheers!

Terry B · #10 07-11-2007, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outbackmanyep

Thanks rogerg, i'll keep that in mind!
I know laptop is the way to go, my laptop was a hand-me-down from my brother, its ok to use, i use it for my LPI Imaging, but the battery doesnt last long without the charger attached to it, the battery must be almost finished,
im not gonna fork out $$ to replace it, when i get round to it i'll get a USB 2 fitted to it and get other things fixed on it.....
I'll let you all know how it goes and what problems i come across....NOTHINGS PERFECT!!

I have the same problem with my notebook so I just keep it plugged in to 240v.
For the USB2 problem I bought a 2 port PCMCA card similar to this one on ebay. The 4 port ones are the same price now as the 2 port one I bought. Works well and was very cheap.

toc (Tim) · #11 10-11-2007, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outbackmanyep

Hey guys!
I was just reading about focusing D SLR on the telescope, as some of my images needed a bit of fine tuning but the problem i had was that my right angle finder still wouldn't find faint stars, i had to rely on a bright star and that bloody matte screen!

BUT.....im sure some of you are aware of this already...perhaps....
i found a website that said you can use a your AV/Video output of the camera, plug it into a small TV screen and use your shots to produce an image on a small tv screen and adjust focus by trial and error! I have a small 12V TV screen but i don't have a laptop with USB2 port for using the Focus software! AND i can't run my laptop off 12V ! So for field trips this is awesome!

I'm gonna give this a go when i get round to it!

Cheers!

Another alternative is a DSLR with liveView. You can then not only use the 3 inch screen on the back, but get a live feed to a lap top.