28 replies to this topic

[Corsica]

this focus system is coming to the Lodestar guide camera + OAG

 

Let me provide some further information on this and related matter:

 

OPTEC and Innovations Foresight are working together for providing a retrofit-kit for Lodestar owners which will allow the SharpLock (SL) real time auto-focus technology (implemented in FocusLock software) to be used with some OAG models. 

 

We expect to launch this new patent pending accessory during NEAIC/NEAF 2016. Its is an interesting option for setups having limited back focus, such as Newtonian, for which the ONAG solution may be challenging to mechanically fit in.

 

Also new development are coming for providing full frame auto-guiding and real time auto-focus (SL) capabilities while using an ONAG and a large guiding chip, since all ONAG devices now features a guider port supporting sensor diagonals up to 28mm (APS-C size).

 

In this approach auto-guiding will not required the selection of any guide star anymore, details to follow... This may be specially useful for robotic/remote operations.

[PRejto]

 

In case anybody is interested, this is a demo video I put together for a talk I gave last week to the imaging group of the New South Wales Astronomical Society on Optec's FocusLock which I used entirely for my image of NGC 1532. It's a bit long mostly because I was taking long guide exposures. If short guide exposures are used it is considerably faster. In reality it is of no consequence as camera focus changes are quite slow. It only matters for the purpose of demonstrating. The exciting thing is that this focus system is coming to the Lodestar guide camera + OAG, so no ONAG required. This will be released in April at NEAF

 

Peter

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=UtgBTVEImZg

 

 

I took this image (ca 26 hours) entirely with FocusLock:

 

http://www.astrobin.com/full/240667/0/

 

The background music is performed by my partner, Bernadette Harvey, playing the Australian composer Ross Edwards' "Night Mantras."

Peter,

 

I think the youtube video link is not correct.

 

Sorry. Fixed now!

 

Peter

[PRejto]

 

this focus system is coming to the Lodestar guide camera + OAG

 

Let me provide some further information on this and related matter:

 

OPTEC and Innovations Foresight are working together for providing a retrofit-kit for Lodestar owners which will allow the SharpLock (SL) real time auto-focus technology (implemented in FocusLock software) to be used with some OAG models. 

 

We expect to launch this new patent pending accessory during NEAIC/NEAF 2016. Its is an interesting option for setups having limited back focus, such as Newtonian, for which the ONAG solution may be challenging to mechanically fit in.

 

Also new development are coming for providing full frame auto-guiding and real time auto-focus (SL) capabilities while using an ONAG and a large guiding chip, since all ONAG devices now features a guider port supporting sensor diagonals up to 28mm (APS-C size).

 

In this approach auto-guiding will not required the selection of any guide star anymore, details to follow... This may be specially useful for robotic/remote operations.

 

 

I would certainly be interested in beta testing this if you are looking for such!!

 

Peter

[pyrasanth]

I have both versions of the ONAG.

 

I use guide exposures of 10 seconds which work really well in conjunction with the Ultrastar from Starlight Express. I can guide for hours at these settings on the Paramount.

 

It really is a fabulous device & in conjunction with Sharplock & the OPTEC SMFS system my images have never been better.