How should I control my DSLR?

[JayTee]

Hi,

You are at a point now where you can compare and understand the importance of imaging scale. Use this website ( https://astronomy.tools/calculators/ccd_suitability ) to help understand what camera (sensor size) works with what telescope (focal length). Right now, with your current gear, your imaging scale is 1.6 arcseconds per pixel (as/pix) and your guiding is 1.3 as/pix. This means that your setup is seeing limited under OK or worse seeing conditions, which is a very good thing! Here is a picture of your gear specs in the astronomy tools calculator.

Cheers,
JT

[Baskevo]

Awesome!! So I read through that website, JT, and to make sure I'm understanding... This tool will help me figure out what I can do to improve my images, like using a barlow or a focal reducer, but they say that I'm already in a good position?

[cosmetatos]

NINA is my recommendation. Eventually you will want to do Sequencing and if you get a Focuser or Filter Wheel you'll need software to control those too. NINA does that plus works with PHD2, Plate Solving, it has a Flat Wizard... It's fairly new to the game but the Support on their Discord channel is amazing and the thing is Free. My only wish is that I could pay to have them port BYEOS into their program. The Camera functions work well; however, it occasionally shuts down my 70D. Luckily it hasn't done that during a Sequence though.

Hi, do you mind if I ask you a question as I have not been able to find the answer.

With NINA and CANON EOS, how do you manage to have a small pause (e.g. 5 seconds) between the mirror moving and the shutter opening? While I can do this on BYEOS and APT, I did not manage with NINA. Is it possible to set it up correctly so that there are no vibrations while taking the image?

many thanks

[Graeme1858]

With NINA and CANON EOS, how do you manage to have a small pause (e.g. 5 seconds) between the mirror moving and the shutter opening? While I can do this on BYEOS and APT, I did not manage with NINA. Is it possible to set it up correctly so that there are no vibrations while taking the image?

Hello Cosmetatos

There is a delay start setting at the top of the sequencing tab but I'm not sure if it is between the mirror moving and the shutter opening. There are some NINA users here, someone will be on later with an answer for you, otherwise the NINA Discord will probably know.

Either way, welcome to the forum. I hope we can see some of your images soon.

Regards

Graeme

[Juno16]

With NINA and CANON EOS, how do you manage to have a small pause (e.g. 5 seconds) between the mirror moving and the shutter opening? While I can do this on BYEOS and APT, I did not manage with NINA. Is it possible to set it up correctly so that there are no vibrations while taking the image?

many thanks

Hi cosmetatos,

I know what Graeme is talking about, but I believe that setting is just a delay start for the entire sequence.

I looked at the N.I.N.A. advanced sequencer, but could not find a setting to delay start each exposure. I am a new user of N.I.N.A. so, hopefully someone more experiences will be able to help.

Like Graeme said, the best bet is the N.I.N.A. Discord forum. They are extremely helpful there.

Good luck and welcome to TSS!