New DSLR - Checking Out Imaging Apps

[Juno16]

Hi Forum!

Got my Nikon D5300 from EBAY. Looks brand new! No signs of use with 3200 shutter clicks. Very Pleased.

I wanted to try out N.I.N.A. and was very excited about using its features.

Starting out with a Nikon D3300, I had no imaging app choice besides DigicamControl. No SDK support. I am very thankful for DigicamControl for getting me started, but I am outgrowing its options, so hence the D5300.

Well. I tried N.I.N.A and had some issues. Now, I just want to say, the Discord support group is really super.
I had issues with getting live view to work and not having a way to insert a pause step after an image to give the sensor a chance to cool. I'm not finished with N.I.N.A. yet, but I got discouraged and tried Astrophotography Tool.

Man, I am impressed! No issues with anything so far and the software is very intuitive. No chance to try things out right now with actual imaging, but I am just trying to get fluent with the setup and settings so that I don't have to fumble around too much in the dark.

This is very impressive stuff!

I know that there are APT users out there on this forum. Any Nikon users? Any help or tips that you can offer?

Thanks,
Jim

[UlteriorModem]

Backyard Nikon... just saying

https://www.otelescope.com/

[JayTee]

I have and use both APT and Backyard EOS. Both of them are excellent programs. But APT has many more features and is significantly less expensive than Backyard EOS / Nikon.

Cheers,
JT

[depratnt]

I’ve used APT as well and it’s pretty user friendly. And tips.. hmm...
INTEGRATION TIME IS EVERYTHING

Good luck!

[KingClinton]

APT is easy and once set, you can walk away and do some visual work without worrying about the setup.
It does however seem to be more Canon friendly in terms of camera support.

[JayTee]

The other nice thing about APT is that Ivo, its creator, is a member of this forum. That way you get direct contact should you have any questions.

JT

[Juno16]

Thanks for the feedback!

I connected to the camera fine. I moved through the tabs and got a good handle as far as the workings with the camera. Very nice!

Unfortunately, I am having an issue connecting to my AVX. I can connect fine using the Celestron ascom driver, but then when I move or park the scope, I get some response, then I get exception errors in APT and the software locks up. Tried upgrading to ascom platform 6.4 sp1 and the latest Celestron driver, but still getting the same issues. Posted to the APT forum for assistance.

Hopefully it will get worked out because I really like this application! Can’t wait to get outside and give it a try!

Thanks again,
Jim

[Juno16]

The other nice thing about APT is that Ivo, its creator, is a member of this forum. That way you get direct contact should you have any questions.

JT

Oh, thanks JT! I saw some responses on the APT Forum. The same Ivo. Cool.

Thanks,
Jim

[JayTee]

It makes a difference what order you turn stuff on. I start with ASCOM, then start PHD2 then turn on the DSLR then finally start up APT. See if that works.

JT

[Juno16]

It makes a difference what order you turn stuff on. I start with ASCOM, then start PHD2 then turn on the DSLR then finally start up APT. See if that works.

JT

Thanks a bunch JT! Ivo responded quickly (thanks Ivo!). Turns out that i had no issue! APT was not happy that i clicked the park button twice and that is why APT stopped responding. Won`t do that again! Thanks a bunch for the tips JT! I really appreciate the help! Thanks, Jim