Hi,
I am looking at one of the essential accessories for astrophotographers using cooled CCD cameras with Canon EF lenses. The manufacturer is ASTROMECHANICS (www.astromechanics.org) its main product are adapters that are mechanically and electronically coupled to the photographic objective, being also ASCOM compatible, which allows automating the focus using the focusing mechanism that the objective already has .
In short, a very useful accessory for anyone who wants to have an autofocuser in a CCD camera setup attached to a photographic lens.
So far there are adapters for the manufacturers ZWO, QHY, SBIG, FLI, QSI and MORAVIAN
Tested for a wide range of Canon and third-party lenses . The mechanism of the adapter is simple and ingenious, it has in each case the exact backfocus for the CCD, on the one hand, the Canon bayonet connection (for the lens) and on the other the thread corresponding to the CCD model, having within this the Electronics required for ASCOM to IRIS interface (Canon protocol).
UNPACKING AND INSTALLATION
From Russia it arrived perfectly packaged, micro USB to USB connection cable and adapter, instructions are on their website.
The first impression is of a high quality product, metal construction and very professional electronics. On the side of the barrel is the micro USB connector for connection to the computer. Also note the contacts in which the lens engages when screwed into the bayonet.
On the one hand, it is screwed to the camera and on the other hand, the lens is attached exactly like a Canon camera.
CANON BAYONET SIDE VIEW WHERE THE LENS IS ATTACHED
THREAD SIDE WHERE THE CAMERA IS ATTACHED
In addition, it has an internal thread in which you can install any 2 "filter (M48). In the photo you can see an IV / IR filter installed
CONNECTOR COUPLED TO CAMERA
CONNECTED TO THE CAMERA (QHY)
SET INSTALLED CAMERA AND LENS
USB CABLE CONNECTOR TO MICRO USB PORT
The documentation and software can be downloaded , the software has the ASCOM compatible driver that allows the control of up to 2 Astromechanics focusers and also a software that allows you to control the focuser if you do not want to use ASCOM
TESTS
Using the No Ascom driver As you can see, in the configuration A of the driver it is possible to identify the COM port of connection of the focuser, to identify the model of the photographic lens and the desired focal ratio (F).
We press START and it should connect. The same driver allows to move in preset jumps, although logically it can be controlled through the ASCOM interface of the capture software used.
CIt should be noted that, if the objective used is not in the list of objectives, it can be configured and parameterized. In the documentation it is widely documented.
The lens must be set to the autofocus option and it is also important to know that when the focuser is connected, its position value defaults to the 5000 position.
FINAL INSTALLATION CANON 200MM F2.8 LENS AND QHY 367C CAMERA
The already real tests in a night of photographic shooting the realization of the focus curve with the MAXIM DL which were very acceptable, allowing to find the focus very precisely.
Being ASCOM standard, it works in any capture software: Maxim, SGP, APT, NINA, ...
As you can see, automating the focus by creating the "V" characteristic is feasible, precise and accurate.
The already real tests in a night of photographic shooting the realization of the focus curve with the MAXIM DL which were very acceptable, allowing to find the focus very precisely.
Being ASCOM standard, it works in any capture software: Maxim, SGP, APT, NINA, ...
As you can see, automating the focus by creating the "V" characteristic is feasible, precise and accurate.
CONCLUSIONS
Very useful adapter, I would say essential for amateurs who use CCD cameras and Canon lenses or similar. Excellent build quality and perfect focus reliability.
PROS
- Construction, mechanical and electronic quality.
- Smooth coupling to the CCD camera and lens.
- Reliability and predictability in focus, without strange behavior.
- ASCOM interface, usable in any compatible capture program.
- Possibility of installing a 2 "filter (Ha, anti-pollution, ...).
- Possibility of parameterizing objectives that are not in the default list.
- Precision in focus. It does not depend on the location of bright stars or LIVEVIEW.
- Price contained, on the order of € 230 including shipping
IMPROVEMENTS
- Not very intuitive in the first use, some kind of help or information in the driver and software.
- Develop a software tool to focus with manual objectives.
- Automate manual targets
- Rotator adapter, so that the adapter and camera can be rotated to adjust framing angle.
Highly recommended product.
