QHY 5-II Help !!!

[MeSeany]

Hi - Im in my lounge with my recently purchased Skywatcher 200p and EQ5 Sky Scan - all set up in doors since I want to get familiar with balancing and the synscan features.

I've also slotted in the QHY 5 - II camera - I've just slotted it into the eyepiece which confused me since the camera does not appear to have a lens but I guess it must do?

Right - I then downloaded all the drivers onto my pc... then I wanted to take a preview - ie a live view of what the scope can see in the day light - just a neighbours building.

I've downloaded the planetary software, fire capture and sharp cap 2 - but I cannot seem to create a live view/ preview in any of them.

There is a light on the camera which is flashing red so Im sure it's connected to the lap top - Im not sure what Im doing wrong - am I being an idiot since theres no way I can preview a day time object since its too bright?

[Notty]

Hi there, this threw me when I first tried out a camera by day. The issue is almost certainly focus; you'll need to aim at something a decent way away to get focus; other side of the streets chimney pot for example, and you may need to play with the exposure in the settings of your capture program too. You will get a picture definitely.

[D4N]

Try plugging in the camera then starting firecap, it should be in the camera list at the top.

If that fails try another USB port.

Daytime shots will work fine, just reduce the exposure time and gain settings.

The camera doesn't need a lens as your putting its sensor at the focal point of the telescope.

TSED70Q, iOptron Smart EQ pro, ASI-120MM, Finepix S5 pro.

[MeSeany]

Thanks guys - by doing reducing the exp and gain in fire capture the screen is showing areas of lighter and darker but its no way near focused at all.

Should I be seeing a sharp image?

[D4N]

Yes, just adjust focus until you do, be sure to point at something far away as you may be unable to achieve focus on something close.

Be careful not to point at the sun, that will kill the camera.

You may need to either slide the camera into the focuser or use an extension tube if you still can't focus, you can test by holding the camera and moving it slowly out of the focuser to see if it gets clearer.

TSED70Q, iOptron Smart EQ pro, ASI-120MM, Finepix S5 pro.

[MeSeany]

Woah !!! - Cracked it - thanks a lot - the camera is very much out of the focal tube with the tube way back - guess thats because the object is 100 yds away.

My first image - a TREE !!! YES !!!

Its a start - first ever image !!!

[jaygpoo]

Been there and had the frustration . The scope you have has a very short focus tube and you will have trouble getting things in focus. Thats the reason that DN4 told you to slide the camera out. A 2" extension tube will help but wait until you try and focus the camera on the moon. Gain adjustment is important as is exposure. Remember that the camera you have is a planetary camera and not for deep space as it takes video.  Using a barlow will give you some super views of the moon or Saturn. Hope you have a bottomless pocket . welcome to the world of astronomy and indifferent weather.  Jay

[MeSeany]

Hi Jay,

Im just trying to get to grips with things at the moment - nail some principles. Just been seeing star images - increased exposure times and saw more stars - all good.

I bought the 200p plus eq5 synscan 2nd hand for £400 so happy with that - the QHY 5  - II - I wanted a basic camera to start with so I can get used to aligning and tracking with short exposures.

Im going to build a web site and add my pictures / progress.

One step at a time.

One Giant Step for Sean - One Small Step for Man Kind

[D4N]

Ok glad you got it sorted

TSED70Q, iOptron Smart EQ pro, ASI-120MM, Finepix S5 pro.

[jaygpoo]

Have fun but dont be afraid to put your images on this site for comments good or bad as its the only way you will learn. I have been into this madness almost 3yrs now and have amassed a large amount of gear and scopes but still struggle with star names and positions etc but I am more into the technical aspects of equipment and software . The rest will come. Lock onto me and keep me posted of your progess. Jay

[MeSeany]

Have fun but dont be afraid to put your images on this site for comments good or bad as its the only way you will learn. I have been into this madness almost 3yrs now and have amassed a large amount of gear and scopes but still struggle with star names and positions etc but I am more into the technical aspects of equipment and software . The rest will come. Lock onto me and keep me posted of your progess. Jay

Hi Jay - that's very good of you - how do I add you so that you'll see my comments etc?

Im going away with the caravan on Friday for 2 weeks to dark sky Scotland... think Im all set - god I cant wait.

A few qus if I may:

- do I polar align with just the tripod or do I add the weights and scope then align?

- what is the best software to use with the QHY 5? 

re planets I think the firecapture is good - had a play and like it

re deep (which I know will be limited) - looked at nebulosity but not as happy - is this the one to use do you think?

Some great pics you have - I may build a facebook page just for this purpose - dont suppose you know if that is possible? 

[JamesF]

I would polar align with as little weight on the mount as possible, then add the OTA and counterweights and give it a final check.  Polar aligning with the mount fully loaded is a recipe for bending the alt adjustment bolts.  You can replace them with heavier duty ones, but IMNHSO it's better to try to avoid getting into situations where they'll bend in the first place

I'd go with either FireCapture or SharpCap for capturing with the QHY5.  Both are good.  Pick the one you like best, really.  I found SharpCap excellent when I was starting out, then moved to FireCapture when I wanted a bit more flexibility.

James

[MeSeany]

I would polar align with as little weight on the mount as possible, then add the OTA and counterweights and give it a final check.  Polar aligning with the mount fully loaded is a recipe for bending the alt adjustment bolts.  You can replace them with heavier duty ones, but IMNHSO it's better to try to avoid getting into situations where they'll bend in the first place

I'd go with either FireCapture or SharpCap for capturing with the QHY5.  Both are good.  Pick the one you like best, really.  I found SharpCap excellent when I was starting out, then moved to FireCapture when I wanted a bit more flexibility.

James

I thought it maybe the lighter version then align - I like Firecapture.

I know Firecapture will work for solar - will it also work for limited deep space - I think the expo goes as far as 60 secs - so I could track and stack

Also - I've heard adding a barlow may help re the QHY5 - how else would the QHY5 magnify or is magnification not needed since its more about field of view? A little confused on this point

[JamesF]

A barlow would make the image larger, but multiplies the exposure time required by the square of the barlow multiplier.  That is, to achieve the same exposure with a 2x barlow as you'd get without one, you need to increase the exposure time by a factor of four.

One side-effect of using a barlow is that the focal plane may effectively move outwards allowing a camera to reach focus more easily.  Given the shape of the QHY5-II I see no reason why you'd need that to happen anyhow.

For small bright targets such as planets a barlow can be useful and often exposure isn't an issue.  For many nebulae and galaxies you'd probably not want one.  These aren't hard and fast rules though; more guidelines for getting started.

James

[MeSeany]

So re Deep space - camera - firecapture on max expo for multiple takes?

Does the stacked image show more than just a dot

[JamesF]

Depends what you're trying to image, I guess

I think you'll have to play it by ear with the QHY5-II for DSO imaging.  My suspicion is that it will be too noisy for long exposures, but I don't have one and I've never used one, so I really don't know.

James

[MeSeany]

Question - if the camera comes without a lens then how I do increase the magnification?

[hobsey]

By using a barlow lens.

[MeSeany]

Ive read a filter wheel can do this also what is a filter wheel?

[JamesF]

A filter wheel is exactly what it says: a wheel that holds filters, so they don't have to be changed manually.  Typically they're used when imaging with monochrome cameras.  Filters should be optically flat though, and not change the image scale at all.

James

[D4N]

A filter wheel would only change the magnification if placed between the sensor and a Barlow lens (or EP if using EP projection). An extension tube would serve the same purpose though.

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[jaygpoo]

I have enjoyed reading your banter, You sound like a rabbit on the run so slow down and enjoy what you have at present. Using a planetary camera is different to a deep space CCD and the price difference .  A planetary camera takes video but a CCD takes exposures . With a planetary camera you stack the frames using something like Registack but with a CCD camera you use Deep sky stakker. Taking good quality images of space depend so much on the telescope / lens quality etc and remember that in general a small scope is used to image using a camera and a large scope is used visual as the eye needs more light to see.  Play with what you have and your time in the sky will dictate what cames next? ENJOY

[MeSeany]

A filter wheel would only change the magnification if placed between the sensor and a Barlow lens (or EP if using EP projection). An extension tube would serve the same purpose though.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Think Ill try the barlow - first things first

[MeSeany]

I have enjoyed reading your banter, You sound like a rabbit on the run so slow down and enjoy what you have at present. Using a planetary camera is different to a deep space CCD and the price difference .  A planetary camera takes video but a CCD takes exposures . With a planetary camera you stack the frames using something like Registack but with a CCD camera you use Deep sky stakker. Taking good quality images of space depend so much on the telescope / lens quality etc and remember that in general a small scope is used to image using a camera and a large scope is used visual as the eye needs more light to see.  Play with what you have and your time in the sky will dictate what cames next? ENJOY

Yes - Im away for 2 weeks in Scotland from Friday 

I intend to enjoy it - my mission goals (lol) are:

- polar alignment

- use of goto

- moon / planet pics

- tracking moon / planet pics

- use of barlow

Think thats plenty