BackyardEOS is born!

[guyroch]

I’m pleased to announce that I have just given birth to a purpose-built software for astrophotographers imaging with Canon DSLR cameras that everyone can afford.

If you’re reading this page, chances are you are looking for an alternative to the current software you are using for image acquisition. Don’t be afraid, I’m one of you guys and I know how much we spend on software versus OTA, mounts, and cameras. By selling software I’m positioning myself on the wrong side of the economic scale (or budget if you prefer) but my main objective is to provide a simple, yet effective, software for a price that I would expect to pay myself and not a penny more.

Ever dreamed of live FWHM feedback when trying to focus?

View the entire DSLR field of view while trying to frame/center a target?

What about dithering between frames, that would be nice?

Automatic adding of meaningful Exif metadata to the raw .cr2 files such as target name, filters used, current temperature?

BackyardEOS delivers on all of these capabilities right out of the box, and does so much more. But don’t take my word for it; here are some unsolicited testimonials from real users that have been generous enough to offer their time and effort to test BackyardEOS in its infancy stage to ensure good quality prior to its official release.

Mark Dearing: "BackyardEOS makes my two recent imaging sessions so easy and simple I am truly amazed; I have stopped using any other programs..."

Chris Hutcheson: "After using this software, I don't see how I managed without it. It makes the whole process of imaging with a DSLR much, much easier."

Ferran Bosch: "the truth is that BackyardEOS is wonderful, very easy to use and very intuitive, very friendly."

John White: "This program looks like it has a lot of promise! I especially like the Frame and Focus mode! All in all, this is an outstanding piece of software and I see it becoming one of my favorites. Well done!"

Bassnut (IceInSpace): "I must say, that looks very interesting. A simple user interface with the features you need. The live view focus looks comprehensive, the 1st DSLR app I've seen with proper live FWHM focus feedback."

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has participated in the beta testing rounds. The quality and craftsmanship of BackyardEOS is made possible because of people like you!

Please visit us at http://backyardeos.binaryrivers.com/

Proud father of BackyardEOS! I’ve attached a few family pictures below.

Guylain Rochon

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Hi there Guylain

I've requested a trial license by email and am keen to give this application a go. I'm glad to see that you've considered netbook users by supporting 1024x768 resolution as a minimum.

Well done - looks great. I plan to do more DSLR imaging with the 5D MkII than with my CCD this year. I'll post my findings.

[guyroch]

Originally Posted by Omaroo

Hi there Guylain

I've requested a trial license by email and am keen to give this application a go. I'm glad to see that you've considered netbook users by supporting 1024x768 resolution as a minimum.

Well done - looks great. I plan to do more DSLR imaging with the 5D MkII than with my CCD this year. I'll post my findings.

License has been sent. Thank you for your support and interest!

Guylain

[Davros (Lauren)]

Hi Guylain
Ive sent through a request for trial as well. ive dusted off (literally) and old Toshiba portege lappy running XP and hope to convince it to work with a 30D to achieve something. Should be fun.

[guyroch]

Originally Posted by Davros

Hi Guylain
Ive sent through a request for trial as well. ive dusted off (literally) and old Toshiba portege lappy running XP and hope to convince it to work with a 30D to achieve something. Should be fun.

I sent you an email re: 30D, did you get it?

Guylain

[g__day (Matthew)]

I've requested a trial licence too - to see how this performs on a Canon 400D (versus the simple Stark Labs freeware - DSLR Shutter).

Interested in seeing how capable your software is!

Matthew

[guyroch]

Originally Posted by g__day

I've requested a trial licence too - to see how this performs on a Canon 400D (versus the simple Stark Labs freeware - DSLR Shutter).

Interested in seeing how capable your software is!

Matthew

Matthew,

The 400D will connect, but the current version will limit you to 30 seconds in TV mode. The reason is that I will be supporting serial cables in about 2 months. This is what I'm currently working on; I'm using a 20D for my development and my testing.

Serial cable support should be available sometime in June 2011.

Thank you for your interest.

Guylain

[hikerbob (Bob)]

I got my trial license overnight and have installed the software on a Lenovo R61E running XP. My camera is a Canon 550D.

I've hooked it all up in my office and done a basic play and so far so good. Still need to learn my way around a bit more.

I'd previously used the Canon EOS utility which worked well but with no astro imaging tools (night mode, cross hair's drift alignment).

Looking forward to a clear night to give it a run against the sky.

Bob

[g__day (Matthew)]

Guylain,

Thanks for that - I use DSLR Shutter into a Shoestring astronomy DSUB box. The DSUB connects to a PC's USB port and sends a three pin cable into the Bulb input on the Canon 400D; which is placed beforehand into full manual mode.

With this arrangement 20 - 30 minute subs are a breeze; so when your software can do the same - please send me a trial licence and I'll give it a full workout.

Many thanks,

Matthew

[hikerbob (Bob)]

GuylainI got out for some imaging on the weekend. Not a great deal but enough to do a bit more.

A couple of things I would have liked to have done but didn't work out how. I was able to work around them but doing so is fiddly and given the nature of dark site imaging the less fiddling that needs to be done the better.

- Is there a way to do live view between images rather than looking at the last photo taken? The only way I found was to use the framing and focusing window then swap to imaging to take the picture.
- Access to previous images from the session within the software would be useful.
- It might be useful to be able to use the focus controls against an Ascom focuser, the focuser controls seem great but as far as I could tell only control the camera lens which I'm guessing will be disconnected for most use unless people are doing wide field work.
- In my wish list would be some other Ascom interfacing, the ability to set up a target list ( or get the target from a package such as The Sky ) then record those details against an image would be a real boon, typing in names at a dark site is a pain although I've now bought an illuminated keyboard.

I'm overall pleased especially with the focus and drift alignment features so please take my questions/suggestions as constructive feedback.

Cheers
Bob

[guyroch]

Bob,

All comments/questions/suggestions are considered constructive feedback at my end; I thrive of user feedback so please key them coming.

I’m currently working on ASCOM focuser integration. I currently have it working with a DC motor right now. I still need to work a bit more to make it work with a stepper motor. ASCOM compliant focuser support is just around the corner.

Activating live view between images will warm up the sensor considerably; I do not advise doing so. It is up to you if you want to do it manually with the workflow you provided. However, I have no plan of implementation such feature for the above reason.

Access to previous image is on my to do list… I will get there eventually; baby steps

I have met the creator of “The Sky” last April in NEAF in New York; I may touch base with him in the future so see what (and if) we could work something out… but this is not for tomorrow.

Kind regards,

Guylain

[hikerbob (Bob)]

Guylain, thanks. I look forward to the focusser control. I hope that using the Ascom focusser com definition it should not matter much if it's DC or stepper. On the other hand one of the things I'm trying to do with my stepper driven focusser is have some pre-sets. When I get an eyepiece or camera to focus I can save the position as a pre-set so I can get close to that again next time. Then I just need to fine tune.

I've not found the definition for the Ascom telescope object yet but as I understand it The Sky can appear to be a telescope to other software. Hopefully the relevant telescope object has a method that will tell what it's pointed at without needing to talk to The Sky or other planetarium software directly.

I take your point about warming the sensor. I've not got far enough with my Astrophotography yet to notice the difference but I understand how critical that can be.

Cheers
Bob

[Sharnbrook (Mike)]

Guylain has very generously donated 3 full licences that will be offered as prizes in the raffle at the Queensland Astrofest. I'm very keen to try the software myself, and will have a look at it in the next week or so. My 40D is presently with Canon for an overhaul, but I expect it back during the week.