Guide Scope and Mainscope Focusing in daylight

[rabwat]

Hello,

I am very much a Newbie at this and would be grateful for some advice. I started earlier this year by acquiring a used AZ EQ5 GT mount and the adding a Skywatcher ED80 scope. I then decided that I wanted to try some deep sky photography with a remotely operated setup and added  a used Skywatcher Evo 50ED with an Atik  GP camera, HitecAstro Mount Hub Pro 4 and Autofocuser (Step Motor), Attached to the ED80 is a Canon 5D mk3 with a .85 focal reducer. This is all hooked up to a smalli5 NUC which I can run remotely using Team Viewer. I did not do much over the summer but have now brought everything out and connected up. For software I am using Ascom, SGP, PHD2 and Sharp Cap as I don't have a polar scope. Everything connects up and the remote connection works well. I am now trying to workout how to focus and align the two scopes and would like to get them into focus during the day so that I am in the right area before starting a session. I tried to focus the Guidescope first using a hilltop a couple of miles away but could not get a picture even after putting tinfoil over the lens with a small hole in the centre. I tried focusing back and forward but could only get noise. I tried using PHD2 on a loop also Sharp Cap to no avail. On the ED80  I did not get a chance to try it before the light failed. I would appreciate any help or info as to the best method of focus and alignment. I have had this setup now since early march but have still to take a photo. The learning curve is in inverse proportion to the bank balance and I am thinking of joining Astros Anonymous . Thanks in advance.

Edited October 2, 2019 by rabwat

[michael8554]

You say you only get noise from the guidecam, not a white frame that goes dark when you put your hand over the lens ?

Sounds like the camera isn't working.

Focusing the 6D should be easy during the day on a distant object, that will get you close enough to focus on the moon then on a star.

[rabwat]

Hi Michael,

Thanks for your reply. The camera is working when I put the lens cap on it goes dark I just cant get the picture to come into focus. I have covered the lens with tinfoil with a small hole to cut down the light but all I get is white noise.

[Skipper Billy]

From memory that guide camera on that scope needs a lot of spacers - I am holiday but will see if I can find some photos.

This is the best I can find just now - its not a very good photo but it looks like there is about an extra 70 - 80mm backfocus required???

Try making a temporary spacer from a toilet roll tube and gaffer tape - you will soon see if its a backfocus issue.

Even with tin foil and a tiny hole the required exposure will be ridiculously short!! Try letting Sharpcap choose the exposure automatically.