Rickvanman

Thanks for the suggestion. Do you know which software? I use the Canon 1300D and Canon is not offering a RAW codec download for that model.

I'm running windows 7 Professional on a x64 System and have downloaded and installed the official Microsoft Camera Codec Pack (6.3.9721.0) (have tried both versions (x64 and x86) but neither got the thumbnails to show in windows explorer. The CR2 images are created on the Canon 1300D. According to the Canon website, they are compatible and no additional codecs are required. Does anyone know how I can get the CR2 thumbnails to show images? Preferably without having to buy 'viewing software' from iffy-looking websites TIA

Well the good news, is that tonight the guidescope seems to be working well. Ive had perfectly round stars all evening with 3 and 4 minute long exposures, so I'm a happy bunny! I think the fix was calibrating it after I had altered the focal length to the correct 162mm. I didn't even need to run the guiding assistant. Have spent all night photographing the Wizzard Nebula which is right in the NE direction where I usually get star trails even on shorter exposures, but the guidescope has handled it admirably. I'm just sat here in the shed now, waiting for my darks to finish. Then just the bias and flats left to do. Clouds expected shortly - hope they don't last another 2 months like the last lot Once again, thanks for the help! Much appreciated

I do recall running the guiding assistant during the evening, it ran for ages making small adjustments - wasn't really sure what it was doing (or rather what I was doing!) but I did enter the reccommendations it suggested at the end. I'll spend some time now searching to see I can find the correct camera and guide scope settings for my starshoot. It looks like another clear night so I've already set up the scope again for another session tonight - will be sure to hit shift this time when starting to guide. Thanks again for the help - I'll try to report back tomorrow to let you know how I got on

Okay, i've uploaded the whole thing to the link below. Looks like the 162mm focal length starts on the 4th session. http://www.mediafire.com/file/no7kpeazhuospne/PHD2_GuideLog_2017-08-27_215354.txt Appreciate any insights. Thanks again.

PS - Please Note that I actually changed the Focal Length to 162mm (from the default 50mm) in all subsequent guiding sessions (using the Orion 50mm guide scope) but it had no noticable effect on the guiding behaviours.

Aha! Starting to get the hang of this now - just found a 'guide' log. The document is huge, so I just pasted one of the start/end sessions below. Let me know if you need more. PHD2 version 2.6.3, Log version 2.5. Log enabled at 2017-08-27 21:53:54 Guiding Begins at 2017-08-27 22:53:20 Dither = both axes, Dither scale = 1.000, Image noise reduction = none, Guide-frame time lapse = 2, Server enabled Pixel scale = 21.45 arc-sec/px, Binning = 1, Focal length = 50 mm Search region = 15 px, Star mass tolerance = 50.0% Equipment Profile = ricks starshoot Camera = StarShoot Autoguider, gain = 95, full size = 1280 x 1024, have dark, dark dur = 1000, no defect map, pixel size = 5.2 um Exposure = 1000 ms Mount = On Camera, connected, guiding enabled, xAngle = 61.1, xRate = 0.501, yAngle = 152.0, yRate = 0.522, parity = ?/?, AuxMount= X guide algorithm = Hysteresis, Hysteresis = 0.100, Aggression = 0.700, Minimum move = 0.160 Y guide algorithm = Resist Switch, Minimum move = 0.160 Aggression = 100% FastSwitch = enabled Backlash comp = disabled, pulse = 0 ms Calibration step = phdlab_placeholder, Max RA duration = 2500, Max DEC duration = 2500, DEC guide mode = Auto RA Guide Speed = Unknown, Dec Guide Speed = Unknown, Cal Dec = 0.0, Last Cal Issue = None, Timestamp = 05/07/2017 22:19:08 Dec = 0.0 deg, Hour angle = 0.28 hr, Pier side = West, Rotator pos = N/A Lock position = 812.236, 944.161, Star position = 812.236, 944.161, HFD = 3.62 px Frame,Time,mount,dx,dy,RARawDistance,DECRawDistance,RAGuideDistance,DECGuideDistance,RADuration,RADirection,DECDuration,DECDirection,XStep,YStep,StarMass,SNR,ErrorCode 1,1.040,"Mount",-0.071,0.087,0.042,0.105,0.000,0.000,0,,0,,,,181937,74.08,0 2,2.069,"Mount",-0.152,-0.006,-0.079,0.129,0.000,0.000,0,,0,,,,178022,76.34,0 3,3.105,"Mount",0.022,0.170,0.159,0.065,0.000,0.000,0,,0,,,,168161,67.22,0 4,4.166,"Mount",-0.042,0.141,0.104,0.106,0.000,0.000,0,,0,,,,172260,69.73,0 5,5.370,"Mount",-0.078,0.069,0.023,0.102,0.000,0.000,0,,0,,,,183342,70.28,0 6,6.398,"Mount",-0.125,0.158,0.078,0.187,0.000,0.000,0,,0,,,,181676,75.59,0 7,7.457,"Mount",0.025,0.013,0.023,-0.015,0.000,0.000,0,,0,,,,183860,75.61,0 8,8.493,"Mount",0.006,-0.025,-0.019,-0.017,0.000,0.000,0,,0,,,,163291,65.25,0 9,9.520,"Mount",-0.135,0.136,0.054,0.185,0.000,0.000,0,,0,,,,171807,70.48,0 10,10.778,"Mount",-0.036,0.206,0.163,0.133,0.102,0.000,204,W,0,,,,180606,73.61,0 11,12.065,"Mount",0.153,0.190,0.240,-0.039,0.158,0.000,316,W,0,,,,163635,68.99,0 12,13.039,"Mount",0.107,0.050,0.096,-0.068,0.000,0.000,0,,0,,,,166906,68.30,0 13,14.076,"Mount",0.400,-0.163,0.051,-0.429,0.000,0.000,0,,0,,,,165524,66.21,0 14,15.135,"Mount",0.257,-0.140,0.002,-0.293,0.000,0.000,0,,0,,,,178180,75.64,0 15,16.385,"Mount",0.217,-0.007,0.099,-0.192,0.000,0.000,0,,0,,,,164066,64.21,0 16,17.755,"Mount",0.189,-0.015,0.078,-0.172,0.000,-0.172,0,,330,N,,,170231,69.85,0 17,19.172,"Mount",0.268,0.019,0.146,-0.223,0.000,-0.223,0,,428,N,,,173485,70.37,0 18,20.811,"Mount",0.307,-0.151,0.016,-0.342,0.000,-0.342,0,,655,N,,,190346,78.11,0 19,22.586,"Mount",0.395,-0.117,0.088,-0.401,0.000,-0.401,0,,769,N,,,175156,68.83,0 20,24.380,"Mount",0.321,-0.293,-0.102,-0.424,0.000,-0.424,0,,813,N,,,190571,77.27,0 21,26.098,"Mount",0.309,-0.223,-0.046,-0.379,0.000,-0.379,0,,727,N,,,190019,73.64,0 22,27.807,"Mount",0.329,-0.192,-0.009,-0.381,0.000,-0.381,0,,730,N,,,175424,73.19,0 23,29.119,"Mount",0.192,0.005,0.097,-0.164,0.000,-0.164,0,,314,N,,,201761,79.24,0 24,30.719,"Mount",0.289,-0.118,0.037,-0.309,0.000,-0.309,0,,592,N,,,188952,78.18,0 25,32.101,"Mount",0.102,-0.234,-0.155,-0.205,0.000,-0.205,0,,393,N,,,193397,78.49,0 26,34.035,"Mount",0.020,-0.448,-0.383,-0.240,-0.241,-0.240,481,E,460,N,,,189130,74.25,0 27,36.073,"Mount",-0.428,-0.670,-0.794,0.038,-0.517,0.000,1031,E,0,,,,185922,72.95,0 28,39.472,"Mount",-0.984,-0.615,-1.014,0.548,-0.675,0.548,1347,E,1050,S,,,186024,79.18,0 29,44.352,"Mount",-2.653,0.314,-1.008,2.458,-0.682,2.458,1362,E,2500,S,,,185271,77.51,0 30,49.356,"Mount",-3.610,0.659,-1.170,3.460,-0.737,3.460,1471,E,2500,S,,,195924,79.40,0 31,53.374,"Mount",-4.336,2.078,-0.278,4.795,-0.227,4.795,453,E,2500,S,,,169542,67.62,0 32,59.415,"Mount",-3.557,4.456,2.179,5.302,1.357,5.302,2500,W,2500,S,,,186087,73.78,0 33,65.411,"Mount",0.065,6.140,5.405,2.996,3.500,2.996,2500,W,2500,S,,,150641,65.60,0 34,70.022,"Mount",3.638,7.488,8.313,0.567,5.482,0.567,2500,W,1087,S,,,178064,71.08,0 35,75.999,"Mount",6.056,7.160,9.196,-1.695,6.177,-1.695,2500,W,2500,N,,,156656,69.93,0 36,82.002,"Mount",8.432,6.490,9.759,-4.089,6.581,-4.089,2500,W,2500,N,,,168936,70.44,0 37,88.003,"Mount",10.748,5.272,9.813,-6.704,6.643,-6.704,2500,W,2500,N,,,192636,73.03,0 38,94.007,"Mount",11.899,2.727,8.142,-8.968,5.595,-8.968,2500,W,2500,N,,,208000,86.62,0 39,100.003,"Mount",12.784,-0.608,5.652,-11.394,3.952,-11.394,2500,W,2500,N,,,182025,74.30,0 40,106.022,"Mount",13.733,-4.221,2.948,-14.013,2.134,-14.013,2500,W,2500,N,,,188635,72.95,0 41,109.522,"Mount",14.028,-7.697,0.049,-15.998,0.000,-15.998,0,,2500,N,,,206475,81.18,0 INFO: Guiding parameter change, RA Max Duration = 8000 42,115.528,"Mount",12.534,-10.914,-3.490,-16.302,-2.199,-16.302,2500,E,2500,N,,,192901,75.07,0 43,127.009,"Mount",8.856,-12.419,-6.586,-13.858,-4.149,-13.858,8000,E,2500,N,,,207262,83.72,0 44,138.507,"Mount",5.624,-13.737,-9.302,-11.710,-6.151,-11.710,8000,E,2500,N,,,155603,65.72,0 INFO: Guiding parameter change, Dec Max Duration = 8000 45,155.487,"Mount",1.778,-15.468,-12.678,-9.234,-8.418,-9.234,8000,E,8000,N,,,163985,74.30,0 46,172.518,"Mount",-1.928,-17.115,-15.912,-6.837,-10.024,-6.837,8000,E,8000,N,,,177530,81.32,0 47,189.525,"Mount",-5.372,-18.640,-18.913,-4.607,-12.617,-4.607,8000,E,8000,N,,,196722,84.72,0 48,203.739,"Mount",-8.613,-20.415,-22.034,-2.678,-14.765,-2.678,8000,E,5134,N,,,193990,82.85,0 Guiding Ends at 2017-08-27 22:56:43

Wow! what I would give for a chart to look even close to that flatness - mine was flailing about wildly, reaching far off the chart yesterday

Ah, yes, found them - thanks. There are a whole bunch of logs and I'm not sure exactly which log relates to the example photo as the file timestamps are not matching up with the photos taken, but the behaviour patterns of the autoguider were pretty consistent throughout the session. Below I've pasted one of the shorter logs. Appreciate any insights Thanks again 19:03:33.665 00.003 4836 PHD2 version 2.6.3 begins execution with: 19:03:33.665 00.000 4836 wxWidgets 3.0.2 19:03:33.665 00.000 4836 cfitsio 3.37 19:03:33.665 00.000 4836 CoInitializeEx returns 1 19:03:33.665 00.000 4836 Using Locale Dir C:\Program Files (x86)\PHDGuiding2\locale exists=1 19:03:33.665 00.000 4836 GetInt("/wxLanguage", 0) returns 0 19:03:33.762 00.097 4836 Removed 8 files of pattern: PHD2_DebugLog*.txt 19:03:33.763 00.001 4836 GetString("/frame/LogDir", "") returns "" 19:03:33.763 00.000 4836 GetInt("/currentProfile", 0) returns 1 19:03:33.765 00.002 4836 reset dither spiral 19:03:33.766 00.001 4836 StartWorkerThread(0x00000000) begins 19:03:33.766 00.000 4836 WorkerThread constructor called 19:03:33.766 00.000 4836 StartWorkerThread(0x0016E750) ends 19:03:33.766 00.000 4836 StartWorkerThread(0x00000000) begins 19:03:33.766 00.000 4836 WorkerThread constructor called 19:03:33.766 00.000 3600 WorkerThread::Entry() begins 19:03:33.766 00.000 4836 StartWorkerThread(0x0016EBD8) ends 19:03:33.766 00.000 3600 worker thread CoInitializeEx returns 0 19:03:33.766 00.000 5284 WorkerThread::Entry() begins 19:03:33.766 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/ServerMode", 1) returns 1 19:03:33.767 00.001 5284 worker thread CoInitializeEx returns 0 19:03:33.767 00.000 4836 GetInt("/LoggedImageFormat", 0) returns 0 19:03:33.802 00.035 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/NoiseReductionMethod", 0) returns 0 19:03:33.802 00.000 4836 GetDouble("/profile/1/DitherScaleFactor", 1.000000) returns 1.000000 19:03:33.802 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/DitherRaOnly", 0) returns 0 19:03:33.802 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/DitherMode", 0) returns 0 19:03:33.802 00.000 4836 set dither mode 0 19:03:33.803 00.001 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/frame/timeLapse", 0) returns 0 19:03:33.803 00.000 4836 GetDouble("/profile/1/StarMinHFD", 0.000000) returns 0.000000 19:03:33.803 00.000 4836 Setting StarMinHFD = 0.00 19:03:33.803 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/AutoLoadCalibration", -1) returns -1 19:03:33.803 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/frame/focalLength", 0) returns 162 19:03:33.804 00.001 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/auto_exp/exposure_min", 1000) returns 1000 19:03:33.804 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/auto_exp/exposure_max", 5000) returns 5000 19:03:33.804 00.000 4836 GetDouble("/profile/1/auto_exp/target_snr", 6.000000) returns 40.900000 19:03:33.804 00.000 4836 AutoExp: config min = 1000 max = 5000 snr = 40.90 19:03:33.804 00.000 4836 AutoExp: reset exp to 5000 19:03:33.804 00.000 4836 GetString("/profile/1/ExposureDuration", "1.0 s") returns "3.5 s" 19:03:33.804 00.000 4836 OnExposureDurationSelected: duration = 3500 19:03:33.805 00.001 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/Gamma", 100) returns 65 19:03:33.805 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/ImageLogger/LogFramesOverThreshRel", 0) returns 0 19:03:33.805 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/ImageLogger/LogFramesOverThreshPx", 0) returns 0 19:03:33.805 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/ImageLogger/LogFramesDropped", 0) returns 0 19:03:33.805 00.000 4836 GetDouble("/profile/1/ImageLogger/ErrorThreshRel", 4.000000) returns 4.000000 19:03:33.805 00.000 4836 GetDouble("/profile/1/ImageLogger/ErrorThreshPx", 4.000000) returns 4.000000 19:03:33.805 00.000 4836 ImgLogger: Settings Log Rel=0,0.00 Log Px=0,0.00 LogFrameDrop=0 19:03:33.807 00.002 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/overlay/slit/center.x", 376) returns 376 19:03:33.807 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/overlay/slit/center.y", 290) returns 290 19:03:33.807 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/overlay/slit/width", 8) returns 8 19:03:33.808 00.001 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/overlay/slit/height", 100) returns 100 19:03:33.808 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/overlay/slit/angle", 0) returns 0 19:03:33.809 00.001 4836 Changing from state 0 to 0 19:03:33.809 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/guider/FastRecenter", 1) returns 1 19:03:33.809 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/guider/ScaleImage", 1) returns 1 19:03:33.809 00.000 4836 GetDouble("/profile/1/guider/onestar/MassChangeThreshold", 0.500000) returns 0.500000 19:03:33.809 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/guider/onestar/MassChangeThresholdEnabled", 1) returns 1 19:03:33.810 00.001 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/guider/onestar/SearchRegion", 15) returns 15 19:03:33.810 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/StickyLockPosition", 0) returns 0 19:03:33.810 00.000 4836 GetString("/geometry", "") returns "0;800;600;2601;137" 19:03:33.825 00.015 4836 GetInt("/graph/ScopeOrCameraUnits", 0) returns 0 19:03:33.825 00.000 4836 GetString("/graph/RAColor", "") returns "#6464FF" 19:03:33.825 00.000 4836 GetString("/graph/DecColor", "") returns "#FF0000" 19:03:33.825 00.000 4836 GetInt("/graph/minLength", 50) returns 50 19:03:33.826 00.001 4836 GetInt("/graph/maxLength", 400) returns 400 19:03:33.826 00.000 4836 GetInt("/graph/minHeight", 1) returns 1 19:03:33.826 00.000 4836 GetInt("/graph/maxHeight", 16) returns 16 19:03:33.826 00.000 4836 GetInt("/graph/length", 100) returns 100 19:03:33.826 00.000 4836 GetInt("/graph/height", 4) returns 4 19:03:33.826 00.000 4836 GetInt("graph/HeightUnits", 1) returns 1 19:03:33.827 00.001 4836 GetBoolean("/graph/showCorrections", 1) returns 1 19:03:33.827 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/graph/showStarMass", 0) returns 0 19:03:33.827 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/graph/showStarSNR", 0) returns 0 19:03:33.845 00.018 4836 GetInt("/graph_stepguider/length", 1) returns 1 19:03:33.846 00.001 4836 GetInt("/target/length", 100) returns 100 19:03:33.846 00.000 4836 GetDouble("/target/zoom", 1.000000) returns 1.000000 19:03:33.850 00.004 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/target/refCircleEnabled", 0) returns 0 19:03:33.850 00.000 4836 GetDouble("/profile/1/target/refCircleRadius", 2.000000) returns 2.000000 19:03:34.118 00.268 4836 GetString("/profile/1/name", "") returns "rick2" 19:03:34.119 00.001 4836 GetString("/profile/2/name", "") returns "ricks starshoot" 19:03:34.122 00.003 4836 GetString("/profile/1/name", "") returns "rick2" 19:03:34.125 00.003 4836 Error thrown from C:\cygwin\home\agalasso\projects\phd2_b\cam_ascomlate.cpp:389->ASCOM Camera: could not instantiate ASCOM profile class 19:03:34.144 00.019 4836 Error thrown from C:\cygwin\home\agalasso\projects\phd2_b\scope_ascom.cpp:97->ASCOM Scope: could not instantiate ASCOM profile class ASCOM.Utilities.Profile. Is ASCOM installed? 19:03:34.152 00.008 4836 Error thrown from C:\cygwin\home\agalasso\projects\phd2_b\scope_ascom.cpp:97->ASCOM Scope: could not instantiate ASCOM profile class ASCOM.Utilities.Profile. Is ASCOM installed? 19:03:34.163 00.011 4836 Error thrown from C:\cygwin\home\agalasso\projects\phd2_b\rotator_ascom.cpp:79->ASCOM Rotator: could not instantiate ASCOM profile class ASCOM.Utilities.Profile. Is ASCOM installed? 19:03:34.168 00.005 4836 GetString("/profile/1/camera/LastMenuchoice", "None") returns "StarShoot Autoguider" 19:03:34.168 00.000 4836 CameraFactory(StarShoot Autoguider) 19:03:34.169 00.001 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/camera/UseSubframes", 0) returns 0 19:03:34.169 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/camera/ReadDelay", 150) returns 150 19:03:34.169 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/camera/gain", 95) returns 95 19:03:34.169 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/camera/TimeoutMs", 15000) returns 15000 19:03:34.169 00.000 4836 GetDouble("/profile/1/camera/pixelsize", 0.000000) returns 5.200000 19:03:34.169 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/camera/binning", 1) returns 1 19:03:34.169 00.000 4836 Created new camera of type StarShoot Autoguider = 065A9C08 19:03:34.169 00.000 4836 GetString("/profile/1/scope/LastMenuChoice", "None") returns "On-camera" 19:03:34.170 00.001 4836 ScopeFactory(On-camera) 19:03:34.170 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/scope/CalibrationDuration", 750) returns 1850 19:03:34.170 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/scope/MaxRaDuration", 2500) returns 8000 19:03:34.170 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/scope/MaxDecDuration", 2500) returns 2500 19:03:34.170 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/scope/DecGuideMode", 1) returns 1 19:03:34.170 00.000 4836 DecGuideMode set to Auto (1) 19:03:34.171 00.001 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/scope/XGuideAlgorithm", 1) returns 1 19:03:34.171 00.000 4836 GetDouble("/profile/1/scope/GuideAlgorithm/X/Hysteresis/minMove", 0.200000) returns 0.170000 19:03:34.171 00.000 4836 GetDouble("/profile/1/scope/GuideAlgorithm/X/Hysteresis/hysteresis", 0.100000) returns 0.100000 19:03:34.171 00.000 4836 GetDouble("/profile/1/scope/GuideAlgorithm/X/Hysteresis/aggression", 0.700000) returns 0.700000 19:03:34.172 00.001 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/scope/YGuideAlgorithm", 4) returns 4 19:03:34.172 00.000 4836 GetDouble("/profile/1/scope/GuideAlgorithm/Y/ResistSwitch/minMove", 0.200000) returns 0.170000 19:03:34.172 00.000 4836 GuideAlgorithmResistSwitch::SetMinMove() returns 0, m_minMove=0.17 19:03:34.172 00.000 4836 GetDouble("/profile/1/scope/GuideAlgorithm/Y/ResistSwitch/aggression", 1.000000) returns 1.000000 19:03:34.172 00.000 4836 GuideAlgorithmResistSwitch::SetAggression() returns 0, m_aggression=1.00 19:03:34.172 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/scope/GuideAlgorithm/Y/ResistSwitch/fastSwitch", 1) returns 1 19:03:34.172 00.000 4836 GuideAlgorithmResistSwitch::SetFastSwitchEnabled(1) 19:03:34.173 00.001 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/scope/CalFlipRequiresDecFlip", 0) returns 0 19:03:34.173 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/scope/AssumeOrthogonal", 0) returns 0 19:03:34.173 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/scope/UseDecComp", 1) returns 1 19:03:34.173 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/scope/DecBacklashPulse", 0) returns 50 19:03:34.173 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/scope/BacklashCompEnabled", 0) returns 1 19:03:34.174 00.001 4836 BLC: Backlash compensation is enabled with correction = 50 ms 19:03:34.174 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/scope/StopGuidingWhenSlewing", 0) returns 0 19:03:34.174 00.000 4836 Scope: slew check disabled 19:03:34.174 00.000 4836 Created new scope of type On-camera = 06584730 19:03:34.174 00.000 4836 GetString("/profile/1/scope/LastAuxMenuChoice", "None") returns "None" 19:03:34.174 00.000 4836 ScopeFactory(None) 19:03:34.174 00.000 4836 Created new aux scope of type None = 00000000 19:03:34.174 00.000 4836 Throw from C:\cygwin\home\agalasso\projects\phd2_b\gear_dialog.cpp:1142->OnAuxChoiceScope: m_pAuxScope == NULL 19:03:34.175 00.001 4836 GetString("/profile/1/stepguider/LastMenuChoice", "None") returns "None" 19:03:34.175 00.000 4836 StepGuiderFactory(None) 19:03:34.175 00.000 4836 Created new stepguider of type None = 00000000 19:03:34.175 00.000 4836 Throw from C:\cygwin\home\agalasso\projects\phd2_b\gear_dialog.cpp:1341->OnChoiceStepGuider: m_pStepGuider == NULL 19:03:34.175 00.000 4836 GetString("/profile/1/rotator/LastMenuChoice", "None") returns "None" 19:03:34.175 00.000 4836 RotatorFactory(None) 19:03:34.175 00.000 4836 Created new Rotator of type None = 00000000 19:03:34.175 00.000 4836 Throw from C:\cygwin\home\agalasso\projects\phd2_b\gear_dialog.cpp:1456->OnChoiceRotator: m_pRotator == NULL 19:03:34.179 00.004 4836 GetString("/profile/1/name", "") returns "rick2" 19:03:34.190 00.011 4836 starting server 19:03:34.192 00.002 4836 event server started, listening on port 4400 19:03:34.192 00.000 4836 Server started, listening on port 4300 19:03:34.192 00.000 4836 Status Line: Server started 19:03:34.194 00.002 4836 GetString("/perspective", "") returns "layout2|name=MainToolBar;caption=Main tool bar;state=2106108;dir=3;layer=10;row=0;pos=0;prop=100000;bestw=506;besth=42;minw=-1;minh=-1;maxw=-1;maxh=-1;floatx=-1;floaty=-1;floatw=-1;floath=-1|name=Guider;caption=Guider;state=256;dir=5;layer=0;row=0;pos=0;prop=100000;bestw=640;besth=512;minw=640;minh=512;maxw=-1;maxh=-1;floatx=-1;floaty=-1;floatw=-1;floath=-1|name=GraphLog;caption=History;state=2099198;dir=4;layer=0;row=0;pos=0;prop=100000;bestw=534;besth=233;minw=-1;minh=-1;maxw=-1;maxh=-1;floatx=-1;floaty=-1;floatw=-1;floath=-1|name=Stats;caption=Guide Stats;state=2099198;dir=3;layer=0;row=0;pos=0;prop=100000;bestw=244;besth=403;minw=-1;minh=240;maxw=-1;maxh=-1;floatx=-1;floaty=-1;floatw=-1;floath=-1|name=AOPosition;caption=AO Position;state=2099198;dir=4;layer=0;row=0;pos=0;prop=100000;bestw=293;besth=207;minw=-1;minh=-1;maxw=-1;maxh=-1;floatx=-1;floaty=-1;floatw=-1;floath=-1|name=Profile;caption=Star Profile;state=2099198;dir=4;layer=0;row=0;pos=0;prop=100000;bestw=20;besth=20;minw=-1;minh=-1;maxw=-1;maxh=-1;floatx=-1;floaty=-1;floatw=-1;floath=-1|name=Target;caption=Target;state=2099198;dir=4;layer=0;row=0;pos=0;prop=100000;bestw=321;besth=207;minw=-1;minh=-1;maxw=-1;maxh=-1;floatx=-1;floaty=-1;floatw=-1;floath=-1|dock_size(5,0,0)=642|dock_size(3,10,0)=44|" 19:03:34.221 00.027 4836 Resizing image to 592,474 19:03:37.939 03.718 4836 Resizing image to 1161,930 19:03:53.779 15.840 4836 Resizing image to 591,474 19:03:56.441 02.662 4836 Resizing image to 1159,930 19:04:29.304 32.863 4836 Status Line: Connecting to Camera ... 19:04:29.306 00.002 4836 GetString("/profile/1/cam_hash/7ea96fc1/whichCamera", "") returns "" 19:04:29.306 00.000 4836 Connecting to camera id = [] 19:04:29.306 00.000 4836 Checking SSAG driver version 19:04:29.307 00.001 4836 Found SSAG device USB\VID_1856&PID_0011&REV_0000 19:04:29.307 00.000 4836 SSAG driver version is 3.0.0.0 19:04:29.308 00.001 4836 Loading SSAG dll SSAGIFv4.dll 19:04:29.346 00.038 4836 Unloading SSAG DLL 19:04:29.356 00.010 4836 Throw from C:\cygwin\home\agalasso\projects\phd2_b\gear_dialog.cpp:972->DoConnectCamera: connect failed 19:04:29.356 00.000 4836 Status Line: Camera Connect Failed 19:04:29.372 00.016 4836 Connected AO:None 19:04:29.373 00.001 4836 Status Line: Connecting to Mount ... 19:04:29.375 00.002 4836 Error thrown from C:\cygwin\home\agalasso\projects\phd2_b\scope_onboard_st4.cpp:78->Attempt to Connect Onboard ST4 mount when host is not connected 19:04:29.379 00.004 4836 Throw from C:\cygwin\home\agalasso\projects\phd2_b\gear_dialog.cpp:1180->OnButtonConnectScope: connect failed 19:04:29.380 00.001 4836 Status Line: Mount Connect Failed 19:04:29.384 00.004 4836 Connected AuxScope:None 19:04:29.387 00.003 4836 Connected Rotator:None 19:05:00.184 30.797 4836 Status Line: Connecting to Camera ... 19:05:00.186 00.002 4836 GetString("/profile/1/cam_hash/7ea96fc1/whichCamera", "") returns "" 19:05:00.186 00.000 4836 Connecting to camera id = [] 19:05:00.186 00.000 4836 Checking SSAG driver version 19:05:00.187 00.001 4836 No SSAG device was found 19:05:00.187 00.000 4836 Loading SSAG dll SSAGIFv2.dll 19:05:00.188 00.001 4836 Unloading SSAG DLL 19:05:00.188 00.000 4836 Throw from C:\cygwin\home\agalasso\projects\phd2_b\gear_dialog.cpp:972->DoConnectCamera: connect failed 19:05:00.188 00.000 4836 Status Line: Camera Connect Failed 19:05:00.194 00.006 4836 Connected AO:None 19:05:00.196 00.002 4836 Status Line: Connecting to Mount ... 19:05:00.197 00.001 4836 Error thrown from C:\cygwin\home\agalasso\projects\phd2_b\scope_onboard_st4.cpp:78->Attempt to Connect Onboard ST4 mount when host is not connected 19:05:00.197 00.000 4836 Throw from C:\cygwin\home\agalasso\projects\phd2_b\gear_dialog.cpp:1180->OnButtonConnectScope: connect failed 19:05:00.197 00.000 4836 Status Line: Mount Connect Failed 19:05:00.201 00.004 4836 Connected AuxScope:None 19:05:00.204 00.003 4836 Connected Rotator:None 19:05:17.418 17.214 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/target/refCircleEnabled", 0) returns 0 19:05:17.419 00.001 4836 GetDouble("/profile/1/target/refCircleRadius", 2.000000) returns 2.000000 19:05:17.545 00.126 4836 Resizing image to 1159,930 19:05:17.554 00.009 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/ShowDecModeWarning", 1) returns 1 19:05:47.009 29.455 4836 MyFrame::OnClose proceeding 19:05:47.009 00.000 4836 StopCapturing CaptureActive=0 continueCapturing=0 exposurePending=0 19:05:47.009 00.000 4836 StopWorkerThread(0x0016E750) begins 19:05:47.009 00.000 3600 Worker thread wakes up 19:05:47.009 00.000 3600 worker thread servicing REQUEST_TERMINATE 19:05:47.009 00.000 3600 worker thread done servicing request 19:05:47.009 00.000 3600 WorkerThread::Entry() ends 19:05:47.009 00.000 4836 StopWorkerThread() threadExitCode=0 19:05:47.009 00.000 4836 StopWorkerThread(0x0016E750) ends 19:05:47.009 00.000 4836 WorkerThread destructor called 19:05:47.009 00.000 4836 StopWorkerThread(0x0016EBD8) begins 19:05:47.009 00.000 5284 Worker thread wakes up 19:05:47.009 00.000 5284 worker thread servicing REQUEST_TERMINATE 19:05:47.009 00.000 5284 worker thread done servicing request 19:05:47.009 00.000 5284 WorkerThread::Entry() ends 19:05:47.010 00.001 4836 StopWorkerThread() threadExitCode=0 19:05:47.010 00.000 4836 StopWorkerThread(0x0016EBD8) ends 19:05:47.010 00.000 4836 WorkerThread destructor called 19:05:47.010 00.000 4836 Shutdown: forced=0 19:05:47.010 00.000 4836 Shutdown complete 19:05:47.010 00.000 4836 stopping server 19:05:47.010 00.000 4836 event server stopped 19:05:47.010 00.000 4836 Status Line: Server stopped

It's a USB lead going to the PC (printer USB cable type) and then a phone-type lead running from the camera to the mount. I'll have a look and see if any guide logs were made automatically.

After a 2 month wait, we finally got some clear slies last night so I had a chance to finally try out the Orion Starshoot autoguider. Sadly, I spent a long and very frustrating night just trying to get the darn thing to guide properly, but wihout success. I was getting great tracking results from my HEQ5pro mount on its own, round stars on any exposures up to about 30 seconds, but as soon as I engaged the tracking scope, it was driving it all over the place (see attached pics). I'm using the 50mm guidescope that comes in the "Orion Magnificent Mini" kit, and I made sure to enter the correct focal length (which I believe is 162mm) into the PHD2 software (not 50mm as I've read others have accidentally done ). There was zero wind last night, so I can't really blame that. Everything seemed to be done-up tight, although I have just started using the HEQ5pro extension tube to avoid tripod leg collisions, which together with the Explore Scientific AR152 refractor scope, does make for a very tall setup, but I think I can discount that because it still tracks really well without the autoguider engaged. A lot of the PHD2 tools and controls are a bit of an alien language to me, but I spent most of the night trying various settings and running some of the built in tools and following the reccomendataion, but to no avail, not even a slight improvement. Does anyone have any ideas how to get this autoguider to work? Would really apprciate any pointers - ideally without abbreviations, as they'll just make my brain hurt even more that it already does Much thanks in advance.

Thanks for the tutorial, Art, that's fantastic!

Hi Steve, it was the basic mod, where only one of the two filters is removed from the camera. I believe only the red balance filter was removed, and the original IR/UV filter remains.

After publishing my latest YouTube video showing me bumbling my way through trying to photograph stars from my shed, someone commented I should use a Baader semi-APO filter on my refractor telescope ( explore scientific AR152 ) along with a IR/UV Cut Filter. Using a semi-APO filter makes absolute sense to me, and reading up on them, they look like a really worthy investment. However, as I'm using a basic Astro-modded DSLR camera ( Canon Eos 1300D - I just had the basic mod: single filter removal), the idea of adding a IR/UV Cut Filter is not making sense to me. Wasn't the filter that was removed from the modded camera, a form of IR/UV Filter? If so, wouldn't I just be nullifying the modification by using one? Appreciate any clarity on this - much thanks ?? PS Heres a link the video in case you were curious: https://youtu.be/iNUevy47fAc .

For now I'm doing everything in photoshop elements 14. Although I'm tweaking the images in DSS prior to saving them.