This customizable design generates custom bahtinov masks, which are used to aid focusing telescopes during astrophotography. Aug 06, 2009 video demonstration of how to use a bahtinov focusing mask for astrophotography. Nov 01, 2018 in this first video on the usage of astrophptography tool apt i focus on on the focusing. I then place the bahtinov mask in front of the telescope optical tube. How to use a bahtinov mask getting started general help and. This farpoint bahtinov mask fits telescopes with outside diameters of between 5. They are named after paul bahtinov, who developed the first designs. As the focus is adjusted, the center diffraction spike appears to move. I no longer need to fiddle around and wonder, is this the best i can focus it. This product does not have any way to clamp it to the front of the scope, but that was nothing a little. Farpoint bahtinov mask for refractors or newtonians with 5.
Jun 30, 2017 previously ive just used a bahtinov mask to get focus with dslr dso imaging and the canon utilities capture software imaging. When precize focus is achieved the pattern becomes symmetrical. Better still is to use a software program that can zoom in on the star, such as. It consists of a disk made of opaque material fitted over the telescope objective with slots cut out in a specific pattern devised by amateur astrophotographer pavel bahtinov. My opinion is that bahtinov mask is the easiest to use in amateur astrophotography, it gives the most noticeable indication of small errors. Find the center of the long support and measure 18 on each side. A bahtinov mask is a musthave for every astrophotographer. A scheiner disk is a mask with two holes, whereas a hartman mask has many holes typically three. A bahtinov mask can help you achieve a sharp focus for your astrophotography images. A bahtinov mask creates diffraction spikes visible to the viewer, with each direction of slots in the mask corresponding to a spike. Bahtinov focus masks make focusing for astrophotography easy. Here, ill show a video of me using both the current version of the fine focus tool and augmenting this with the use of a bahtinov mask. It is very easy to use and will result in obtaining precise focus with a camera lens. Astrozap makes these focusing caps with the bahtinov mask to fit telescopes with apertures ranging from 90mm to 405mm.
When i started astrophotography i used the hartmann mask with two circular holes for focusing, but i was never 100% sure if i reached the tolerance range or not. At times when visually the focus looks correct the one of the overlayed lines shown in the software is way off and can jump between two places. This program is awesome overall but does have some quirks. But when i input the parameters for my camera lens say the sony zeiss 24mm f1. Farpoint bahtinov focus mask for celestron 8 classic sct. Also, a hartmann mask doesnt provide the precision of the spikea. Aspikeaexample of the nowclassic bahtinov mask is shown in image1. I dont use a bahtinov mask any longer using ff with the image history tool. It does not fit with the hyperstar or fastar camera installed. Can you use a bahtinov mask on a normal wide angle camera lens. Farpoint bahtinov mask for celestron 8 sct with hyperstar.
The spikea bahtinov mask is made from quality light weight aluminum and machined with precision tools, then anodized black to eliminate light reflection. What i see in the image when im a long way away from focus is a collection of circles or doughnuts. Do the same with the short support, laying it on the radius line and mark and drill a mounting hole in the mask and mark the position of the hole in the ear on the long support. This innovative focus mask concept was invented by a russian amatuer astronomer, paul bahtinov, and kendrick is producing these masks with his permission. It is a novel and user friendly software application that works every time to get razor sharp focusing provided that your bahtinov masks have been well designed.
Temporarily fasten the supports to the mask making sure that the holes drilled in the long support line up with the lines on the mask. Jun 09, 2018 below are my instructions for generating any arbitrary sized tribahtinov mask and for using it for collimation. Computer programs like images plus and dslr focus contain focusing modules. It is common practice to focus your camera dslr or astroccd on a bright star as this star and the object you want to image will both be at infinity so getting the star in focus will ensure that the deep sky. Comparison of focusing masks gabor toth astrophotography. The batinov mask consists of three separate grids that produce three angled diffraction spikes when the telescope is pointed at a bright star.
Affordable, powerful, and easy to use astrophotography software. So i thought i would try a farpoint fp400 bahtinov focus mask to see if it would help me focus better. I have tried taking a few star trail photos using a dslr and a normal wide angle camera lens but have had an awful job in getting the focus right. How to make bahtinov mask, pdf templates deepsky watch. Select the farpoint fp410h version not this item for all new celestron scopes. I can also say without reservation that the spikea mask. It is common practice to focus your camera dslr or astroccd on a bright star as this star and the object you want to image will both be at infinity so getting the star in focus will ensure that the deep sky object will also be in focus. Do it yourself bahtinov focusing mask for a telescope or dslr camera, with printable. Bahtinov focus mask for older classic celestron 8 sct without fastar or hyperstar. This process is an essential step of any deepsky astrophotography session. Lay the long support on the mask and mark and drill mounting holes in the mask. The bahtinov mask allows digital astrophotographers and visual observers to get razor sharp focus in seconds.
The bahtinov mask the sky at night in digital images. If you get a deadon polar alignment, and focus then on a near by bright star, using the fwhm feature is really superior to the bahtinov mask. The below center and right photos show sirius through the bahtinov mask. Farpoint focus mask celestron 11 sct hyperstarfastar fits fastarhyperstar ready c11 scts. Input values appropriate for your telescope, and press the generate. Previously ive just used a bahtinov mask to get focus with dslr dso imaging and the canon utilities capture software imaging. With the camera mounted to the telescope, i point the telescope to a bright star.
One thing ive seen with all these focusing methods is the need to get fairly close to focus before they work. As long as the mask slots are not damaged, the mask should continue to perform well over time. Bahtinov focus masks bahtinov focus masks provide an ingenious way to easily focus your dslr camera, webcam or ccd camera for astrophotography. I am using a sony nex 7 connected to a 5 sony monitor to increase the size of the live view image, regardless, the bahtinov mask works as advertised. I dont need them for my system, wont that cause conflict issues with other software. But i cant get the mask to show the starshaped rays of light emanating from the star i. Bahtinov mask 3d printing video thanks to the benny fab lab at benny library the bahtinov mask is one of the best tools for focusing your cameratelescope setup for imaging. Today, the most accurate method of focusing is with software metrics, but this. Bahtinov focus mask, fits celestron 8 sct for older model c8 sct. This symmetry should produce a diffraction pattern that is also. This indispensable astrophotography tool is constructed from nearly indestructible abs plastic. Farpoint bahtinov mask for celestron 8 sct with hyperstar farpoint bahtinov mask for the newer celestron 8 sct with hyperstar or fastar post 2008 in 2008, pavel bahtinov, a russian amateur telescope maker and astronomer, created a great new way to easily focus a dslr camera, webcam, or ccd camera for astrophotography. This model generator allowed for the size of the mask to be adjusted according to the measurements of my own telescope.
Video demonstration of how to use a bahtinov focusing mask for astrophotography. We have not yet decided if we are going to do this. The bahtinov mask makes it easy to focus your dslr camera, ccd camera, or webcam when imaging the night sky. Three patterns were calculated for each of the masks, one in precise focus, one with 12 microns off focus, and one at 36 microns.
Apt bahtinov aid focus problems discussions software. Relativetothehartmannmask,the diffraction pattern created by the bahtinov mask allows for much more precise focus. Generating the tribahtinov mask using satoru takagis webapp. A bahtinov mask can help you achieve a sharp focus for your. The method is simple, very intuitive and the device has universally been named after the inventor. Great program that i use frequently to focus with my dslr. It requires the capability to acquire 640x480 images. See image 6 this software analyzes the pattern created by the bahtinov mask and reports how far from perfect focus you are. Preliminary conclusions are that the 85 degree variant of the bahtinov mask will provide greater accuracy than the 40 degree mask when used in conjunction with software such as the bahtinov grabber.
Two programs which offer softwarebased bahtinov assistance are niels noordhoeks bathinov grabber and apt by ivaylo stoynov. Also when the problem occurs the mask angle is also shown incorrectly. Fine focus and bahtinov masks ask craig stark labs. Bahtinov focus masks provide an ingenious way to easily focus your dslr camera, webcam or ccd camera for astrophotography. Measure your diameter from the end of the tube or dew shield. It also will give you some idea how much, if any, drift you have as the star will either remain in your field of view while focusing, or begin to drift. I chose this rating, because the product does exactly what it is supposed to do, help you acquire a focused image for astrophotography. Bahtinov mask focusing feature backyardeos otelescope. The bahtinov mask is a very elegant solution to one of the biggest problems that besets the deep sky astrophotographer focus. Continuing the discussion from focusing using bahtinov mask. This mask attaches to the front of the scopes objective lens to show the astronomer how to precisely focus their telescope. The hartmann mask and scheiner disk are simple devices for making focusing a lens easier. But i cant get the mask to show the starshaped rays of light emanating from the star i tried focusing on. The bahtinov mask, invented in 2005 by a russian amateur astronomer, pavel.
When the mask is mounted on the permanently fixed lens hood, it is visible. Aug 20, 2017 the hartmann mask and scheiner disk are simple devices for making focusing a lens easier. Unlike autofocus and star measuring software tools, this old school method can be. In 2008 an amateur telescope maker and astronomer published an ingenious new way to easily focus your dslr, webcam or ccd camera for taking astrophotos. The telescope parameters were set to be a 10 at f4. A scheiner disk is a mask with two holes, whereas a hartman mask. The bahtinov mask forms a long cross, composed of two diffraction spikes, centered on the bright object. Although masks have long been used as focusing aids, the distinctive pattern was invented by russian amateur astrophotographer pavel bahtinov russian. Focusing using bahtinov mask main sequence software. Dec 02, 2017 to 3d print the bahtinov mask as shown in the images above, i used opencad a free software and a readymade tweakable template or model called bahtinov mask generator modded which i found on. Farpoint bahtinov focus mask demonstration youtube. I was playing around with this online bahtinov mask generator.
Farpoint bahtinov focus mask for astrophotography manufacturer part number fp410. Farpoint astro bahtinov focus mask for meade 10 sct fp4. Of course the mask is removed when making astrophotographs or for visual observations when the most perfect focus is desired. The method is simple, very intuitive, and the device has universally been named after the inventor, pavel bahtinov. From beginner telescopes to professional observatories, opt has it all. Unlike a hartmann mask which provides no visual cues on the direction of travel needed for focusing, the spikea mask is a bahtinov mask which clearly shows the direction of travel needed to achieve focus. Dec 06, 2014 one thing ive seen with all these focusing methods is the need to get fairly close to focus before they work. The central spike moves left or right relative to the diagonal x spikes according to focus position. Pop the mask in, calibrate the spikes, remove the mask, and there you have it.
For an sct, the secondary mirror has three adjustment screws. Farpoint fp410 bahtinov focus mask celestron 8in sct fp410. They are held in place with three thumbscrews to to outer edge of telescopess front cell or dew shield. The bahtinov mask is a device used to focus small astronomical telescopes accurately. Two of them form an x shape, and another spike crosses it, forming a shape. See this youtube video which shows how the diffraction spikes move for the 85 degree mask. These are not generic masks, each mask is tuned to the telescopes focal ratio for the very best performance.
Bahtinov mask other focusing methods astronomy notebook. Bahtinov string focusing mask the steps for making a string bahtinov mask are as follows. They require that you target is a point of light, such as a star or distant planet, therefore are no good for daytoday use. The bahtinov mask, invented in 2005 by a russian amateur astronomer, pavel bahtinov in 2005, is a device used to focus using a bright star. Bahtinov grabber goes 64 bit and 32 bit update niels. With so much time and effort put into your polar alignment and autoguiding accuracy, it would be a shame to spoil a photo due to poor focus. Whether youre doing planetary visual observing, planetary imaging, or deep sky imaging, the bahtinov mask is a great accessory to get the best focus for.
Bahtinov focus mask for celestron 11 sct with fastar or hyperstar ready, fp412h. Farpoint bahtinov focus mask for meade 10 sct bahtinov focus masks are the brainchild of pavel bahtinov, a russian amateur telescope maker and astronomer. A bahtinov mask is a focusing aid for astronomy in general, and astrophotography in particular. Farpoint bahtinov focus mask demonstration osi television. Focusing masks are an inexpensive and easy to way to achieve perfect focus and are a must have accessory for astrophotographers. Its an elaboration on the idea of a hartmann mask something you stick over the front end of your scope to induce a diffraction pattern that makes focusing easier. Two programs which offer softwarebased bahtinov assistance are niels noordhoeks bathinov. Bahtinov mask created by 3d printing astronomy notebook. You should use adobe pdf or a similar software for printing.
Illustration of the operation of a bahtinov mask for refracting optics. This is probably because i dont have a clue how to use it. Otelescope is canadas toptied telescopes and accessories store. I made a simple program that detects the three lines of the bahtinov pattern and tells you how far the central line is from the crossing of the diagonal lines. Ive been having difficulty focusing to infinity with my canon 6d and samyang 14mm f2. If the file has been modified from its original state, some details such as the. Telescope focus aids telescope focus masks high point. The bahtinov mask has become the preferred method of focusing a telescope, either visually or when imaging with a ccd camera, dslr or webcam. Focusing mask which was invented by pavel bahtinov is considered to be the easiest, the fastest and an accurate tool for manual focusing. Should i be able to upload the grabber software and use it without. May 28, 2015 so i thought i would try a farpoint fp400 bahtinov focus mask to see if it would help me focus better. My opinion is that bahtinov mask is the easiest to use in amateur astrophotography, it gives the most. Most if not all newer celestrons have fastar or they are fastar ready. Bahtinov mask to focus on a star focusing tips youtube.
This is the method i use to focus on stars with my telescope and dslr. Unlike autofocus and star measuring software tools, this old school method can be done without the use of an external computer, and only takes a minute. Whether youre doing planetary visual observing, planetary imaging, or deep sky imaging, the bahtinov mask is a great accessory to get the best focus. Although masks have long been used as focusing aids, the distinctive. Bahtinov focusing masks see and buy bahtinov focusing masks at our hertfordshire uk based showroom or buy online. Ive also made a number of bahtinov masks myself and ive seen a few commercial offerings. If you do not have a bahtinov focus mask, get one, it will ensure you have the best focus possible, regardless of the seeing conditions. The bahtinov mask achieves perfect focus in seconds. Thanks for making this fantastic piece of work available to us. These simple yet effective masks attach to the primary end of your telescope and, with a specially designed grid, create a patternthat will help you adjust your focus. How to make and use a hartmann mask for quick and easy. No matter which type of camera you use, a bahtinov mask can help you achieve a higher level of accuracy when focusing your telescope or a camera lens.
It is common practice to focus your camera dslr or astroccd on a bright star as this star and the object you want to image will both be at infinity so. The spikea bahtinov mask is made from quality light weight aluminum and machined with precision tools. Oct 01, 2012 whe i got my first telescope, about a year ago, it came with quite a few extras including one of these masks. Therefore, the most obvious way to me is to have three bahtinov masks designed into the mask. Farpoint fp410 bahtinov focus mask celestron 8in sct. There are many methods, software and devices on the market but the bahtinov mask is the least expensive and is a very effective tool.
Thus, my idea of a tri bahtinov mask that has three bahtinov masks arranged in a 3fold symmetric fashion. Kendrick bahtnov focus masks this innovative focus mask concept was invented by a russian amatuer astronomer, paul bahtinov, and kendrick is producing these masks with his permission. Lens heater warmer dew heater with temperature regulator strip for ice fog universal camera telescopic bottle heatinghot3 4. During the focusing procedure the mask is placed in front of telescopes aperture and then the telescope should be pointed to a bright star. The gerd neumann bahtinov mask is of high quality and should last a long time with care. I do not have the luxury of computer controlled auto focus yet. Im running the 32bit version on a netbook, canon 300d camera and dslrfocus software for image capture.
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