Auto focus ?

[ninjageezer]

How important is autofocus ?

 I have been using a mask since I started earlier this year .

I notice that most setups have some kind of autofocus .I have 2 setups at this time a widefield Z73 and an edgehd 8  with both I currently use a canon 60d modified. this will very soon be upgraded to a dedicated osc camera.

[Clarkey]

I think it depends how sensitive your set up is to temperature changes and how remote your imaging is. If over the night your rig needs refocusing then running an auto focuser is much easier. Also, if like me you like to stay in the warm whilst imaging it is a lot nicer. If you spend the evening 'babysitting' the rig it is probably less critical.

[Paul M]

Until recently I just focused manually, rack of the eye. I think it was mostly successful but time consuming.

Earlier this year I got a Sesto Senso focuser. I'm still tweaking it and don't always get the classic "v" in the graph but focus seems quite good.

For me the greatest benefit is being able to run the focus routine from the comfort of my armchair. So outside I set-up, polar align, check cables for snagging risk then resign to the lounge!  

I've tended leave my scope on its own for all night sessions when the weather is suitable and APT looks after the target acquisition, meridian flips and focus checking beautifully. 

[ninjageezer]

I tend to image for short sessions, unfortunately its not an option to leave gear out all night.

what luxury it would be to set up and go to bed haha...😃

[ninjageezer]

is there an autofocuser that will work on both rigs rather that needing 2 ?

[Paul M]

1 minute ago, ninjageezer said:

what luxury it would be to set up and go to bed haha..

It's not without some anxiety! I have 3 cameras that record any activity near the house, front and back. A while ago I captured a hooded and masked [removed word] trying my car's doors at 2am so there is always a worry of vandalism and theft.

My last all night session resulted in no usable data for one reason or another. I dumped hours worth of M82 subs due to poor conditions and a severe gradient that I concluded was caused by the IR lighting from my camera on the back of the house! I must remember to turn that off while imaging.

10 minutes ago, ninjageezer said:

is there an autofocuser that will work on both rigs rather that needing 2 ?

They do require some mechanical setting up but there is some universality with the provided collars and adapters. Maybe too much fiddling for frequent changing over but ok for rig changes for seasonal projects. There are some small grubscrews involved that might eventually strip the threads with frequent re-tightening. 

There always seems to be second hand focusers in the SGL ads section so they are not too much of a financial burden.

[ninjageezer]

Any recommendations for one that will work with the Edgehd 8 ? i ask as the chap i got the scope from had no joy when trying to get one working with it .

[Paul M]

I'm no SCT specialist.

From what I see a special adapter is required to mount a focuser on the stock focusing mechanism of SCT's. A better solution seems to be leaving the integral focusing fixed and the mirror locked where possible and using a proprietary focuser mounted on the back for fine focusing with an auto focusing motor.

The sesto senso came with various collars to allow mounting on many/most stock dual speed focusers. It has a mounting collar that negates the need for an additional and occasionally bespoke bracket. Though some focuers require an upsized mounting collar that is an additional cost.

Edited October 7, 2022 by Paul M