Urgent help in Phd2!

[TheMan]

I am currently setting up, but in phd2 there is this black dot in the middle of stars and they appear huge, I have no clue what to do and i cannot see faint stars to guide. i also cannot focus in on stars

[red dwalf]

looks like a focus issue, sometimes if you can`t get focus with your guide camera and guide scope a small adapter to add extra length to the focus is needed 

[TheMan]

It focuses both ways and has plenty of focus on both sides.

[TheMan]

i also cannot focus on sharpcap

 

 

[Laurin Dave]

Suggest you use Sharpcap to focus and use the zoom function on a bright star.. then rack in and out to see where its sharpest.  What guidescope and camera are you using...

[red dwalf]

if you can get focus on both sides then i can`t see what the problem is realley, if your using sharpcap, try and increase the exposure times, should be able to see things with a 2 or 3 second exposure, also what exposure time have you set in PHD ?

[TheMan]

I had 1 second which usually worked. But i finally figured the problem. I use a lens and the shutter closed causing a really low f/ratio. That also explains the focus issue. Thank you for the help though.