DSLRfocus What cables

Carl · #1 18-07-2006, 02:48 PM

Hi folks
Cant get much reply from Chris Venters DSLRfocus site so I thought I'd pose the question. I have a canon 350 eos, what cables are required to connect the camera to the computer so i can use the software. Please reply in laymans language as I am not IT brilliant. Plus where do i buy the cables from.

regards

Carl

Striker (Tony) · #2 18-07-2006, 02:54 PM

Carl

You will need the following...
You will need the DSUSB and the DSCBL-01 cable
Direct from Shoestring
http://www.store.shoestringastronomy...roducts_ds.htm

I thought their was other options but I cant be sure..

JohnG (John) · #3 18-07-2006, 02:57 PM

Carl

To get started you only need the USB cable that came with the camera, problem is it limits you to 30 seconds of exposure.

Go back to the DSLRFocus site and under dealers on the top right, you will see 2 dealers in the US, Shoestring Astronomy and Hap Griffin, they have the required cables unless someone on this forum can help you.

I got my cables from them and they were quite quick with their replies and service, I have had no problems at all in use, it all works perfectly.

Cheers

JohnG

rogerg (Roger) · #4 18-07-2006, 03:52 PM

I got my serial cable for my 350D from Hap Griffin (linked to from the DSLRFocus site). Prompt service, good product. That was bout 4 months ago.

I should have made it myself, but I was lazy (and still am).

It's convenient that it has the little status indicator LED. I got a really long one, can't remember exactly how long but must be about 10m.

Roger.

Octane (Humayun) · #5 18-07-2006, 08:03 PM

Carl,

I followed the instructions on Mike Covington's web site and built my own serial cable. My first electronics project since year 10; it works, too!

Regards,
Humayun

5ash (Philip) · #6 18-07-2006, 09:48 PM

carl ,
ive been looking for similar info on the shoestring astronomy store.I get the impression its chris venters site. Says on the site that theyre on holiday till 23rd july! So that would be the reason for no correspondence.
philip

Carl · #7 20-07-2006, 04:09 PM

2 questions to add and i know they will sound dumb
Q1. If you are doing a piggy back image, Canon350DSLR with 300mm lens, does DSLRfocus re-focus your camera if you use the aoumatic focus switch on the camera or is it all done manually?
Q2. Is there any possibillity that the cables and or software could cause a short out and damage the camera or computer. Do the cables and units have a circuit breaking mechanism. Has anyone had any problems?
Carl

Striker (Tony) · #8 20-07-2006, 04:35 PM

HI Carl.

Q1 DSLR focus is all manual focus...unless you have a mechanical device like ROBOFOCUS that will do it automaticly everything is done manualy....DSLR focus just tells you in more detail when the star is in focus by giving you factors of numbers to go on.

Q2 no damage will be caused by the cable...it's simply a switch activating your exposures just like a manual Canon cable release does for $25 but iwith DSLR Focus you have the added software to control your exposures instead of manualy using a cable release.

Merlin66 (Ken) · #9 20-07-2006, 06:54 PM

I to have built the serial/ parallel cables as per Covington's page ... no problems.
Remember DSLRfocus is really designed to control the focussing motor on your telescope (not the standard camera lenses) to allow accurate and precise focussing of stellar images.
If you use a manual focusser ( or std lenses) then you need to manually adjust the focus and look at the results on the screen. Still works!
I use the Keyspan USB>Serial adaptor as my new laptop has no serial or parallel ports built in. The parallel I use is a PCMIA card by Trans Digital works 100%.