Thalestris24

Just a quick update. I received the aspheric EP today but it wasn't any good - wasted my money I think, after all that, I'll just get another couple of the 25mm EDs. Thanks all for the suggestions and data Louise

Oh ok, I'm getting the picture now. However, do you have a laptop you could use just with the camera as a sanity check? It all looks very straightforward in their online manual. They used Maxim DL 6 pro and Ascom plug-in version 6.11.0 . If it were me I'd probably try and duplicate that if I was having all the problems you are. I bet it's going to be something small that's the problem! Louise ps they do caution to cut the power to the camera and not unplug the usb, should you need to reset it

Erm... When you say 'platform computer' I'm wondering if you mean a dedicated bespoke system rather than a pc or laptop? I'm in the dark...

Hmm... when does this window come up, exactly? Might it be possible to try another camera control program - like APT or Sharpcap? I think qhy part of China is about 8 hours ahead of us so probably won't hear back from them for a while, at least.

'Update driver' will likely only install the current official release, not the beta - I think! I would manually click on the beta, install it, switch everything off, and try again!

I had a quick look on the qhy forum, Dave. There seems to be a few people on there who apparently have it working ok - maybe some minor issues. So it's probably not a driver problem. Could there be an issue with your Maxim? (I've never used it so can't help with it). Someone on the qhy forum was using the ascom driver ok with APT. Louise

I've never had, or used, one before - I'll let you know what it's like. I should get it by, hopefully, early next week

I'm pretty sure all the uncropped microscope images I've seen taken with a smartphone via the eyepiece show much vignetting. It's probably unavoidable - but always worth a fiddle! Maybe experiment to find the best distance and do something with the phone holder? The holder I ordered is this style but I won't get it until next week. Louise ps my phone isn't good with low light - but probably fine with a microscope!

ps the beta version link returns 21.02.20.13 - must be the latest version!

I would click on the beta version link. It's possible the ascom driver has been in development and the beta is the best so far...

That looks good! Is that with the beta driver? I think that's the one you have to use. Any response from the qhy forum?

You've missed something, Dave... How is the camera appearing in Device Manager?

When you resurface - nicely refreshed, Dave! I would go through the manual step by step to make sure you have installed it properly i.e. exactly as they describe . In particular, make sure the driver shown in Device Manager is correct after you've installed the camera. Reading the qhy stuff again, it's a bit ambiguous when they talk about the 'system pack' on the one hand, and the beta release on the other. If in doubt, check with Mr Q! Also, whenever I've had problems with qhy ascom drivers, I've switched to their system driver and their EZCap_QT software, as a sanity check Good luck! Louise

So you can choose your camera correctly and bring up a screen like this (simulated) one: You can tick logging which might help by giving you some data. Louise

Probably don't need to run the diagnostics as such, but it has the choose and connect to device -> camera and look at properties options.

It's worth always disconnecting and then doing a cold boot (not just a reset) and reconnect the camera cables in the right order, if specified. I know these things can drive you nuts - I can empathise!! I'd definitely post on the qhyccd forum (but make sure you have internet security/antivirus running before going anywhere near!). Chances are, if you have a problem, someone else will have posted about the same or similar thing. Have you tried the Ascom diagnostics? Louise

5m for usb 3 might be a bit long. I would try usb 2.0 if you can't run a shorter cable. So much trial and error with usb camera connections! Louise

Hi Dave I take it you installed the current QHY 'system pack' which includes an ascom driver? Qhy are notorious for dodgy drivers, though (in my experience). It's a beefy-looking camera! Lol. I imagine it needs a good quality usb 3.0/3.1 connection. I have an old i5-2500k desktop (from 2012, I think) which has 'usb 3.0' but it doesn't work too well with a lot of things and I can't do anything about it Even third party usb 3.0 expansion cards don't work properly a lot of the time, so it's probably down to the chipset. So if there's any doubt, I'd try it in an alternate system, if possible. I take it you posted on the qhy forum? Any suggestions from there? I see you did have it working at one point - yeah, always worth rolling back, even if it's a bit of a pain... Louise

I've only ever used Sharpcap for eeva - I've no idea what might be available for phones. Do mention my name to alert me if you get anywhere! I might have a go myself one of these days... Thanks Louise

Hi Vlaiv I was wondering if you've done an astro imaging through the EP? Louise

Yes, that's what I did - it's all set up. I've had it up and running with the kit eps and the Starguider for quite a while now Louise

PS it's almost essential to have the image train parfocal with the visual. It's also nice, but not quite so essential, to have the imaging fov the same as the visual In the imaging train the 'eyepiece' is being used (afocally by me) as a projection lens, also called a photoeyepiece. Confusingly, advanced users often just call them eyepieces - for a long time I didn't understand what they were talking about! Louise

Ok, though the image quality using the Starguider have probably been good enough. Could always be better, I suppose. I'll dwell upon it Oh, I previously posted some images of diatoms at 100x in the microscopy section: Thanks Louise

Well, I'd need 2 of them...

Hiya The microscope does have 23.2mm eyepieces but I've made adapters to fit on the outside of the 23.2 recetacles. That allows me to get the whole 23.2mm diameter. The trinocular imaging path is slightly wider As mentioned my oculars only give an 18mm fn. You can certainly buy 20 and 22mm ones for 23.2mm receptacles but greater than that normally requires 30mm eyepieces/receptacles. I'm waiting for a phone adapter to allow me to take the occasional images through the eyepieces though I use a dslr for more serious imaging. Thanks for doing the above comparison - hmm... the Starguider looks better than the aspheric there? I think the 40x objectives (probably the one I use most often, but also 60x and 100x) work out at something like f/100 or greater. However, illumination is provided by bright LED Louise PS I should mention that my microscope only cost £216 new so it's not worth spending a lot of time, trouble and money on it. I am, though, a compulsive tinkerer