Jun 30, 2017 previously ive just used a bahtinov mask to get focus with dslr dso imaging and the canon utilities capture software imaging. The idea is to create a specific diffraction pattern so that you know if you image is in focus. Bahtinov grabber goes 64 bit and 32 bit update niels. For focusing the image of a telescope, one can use a bahtinov mask. Jan 27, 2019 a bahtinov mask is a device used to help focus telescopes but can also be used to achieve focus on any camera with a telephoto lens. A bahtinov mask is a focusing aid for astronomy in general, and astrophotography in particular. You can use the software bahtinov grabber freeware to help excact focus detection using. 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. The bahtinov mask has become the preferred method of focusing a telescope, either visually or when imaging with a ccd camera, dslr or webcam.
Im using this in conjunction with the bahtinov feature built in to the backyard eos software. Whether youre doing planetary visual observing, planetary imaging, or deep sky imaging, the bahtinov mask is a great accessory to get the. Also most capture software has a focus assist feature that measures. These are not generic masks, each mask is tuned to the telescopes focal ratio for the very best performance. This process is an essential step of any deepsky astrophotography session. Bahtinov focus masks make focusing for astrophotography easy. So i thought i would try a farpoint fp400 bahtinov focus mask to see if it would help me focus better. Bahtinov focusing masks see and buy bahtinov focusing masks at our hertfordshire uk based showroom or buy online. 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. Precise focusing of telescopes and astrographs is critical to. Mar 01, 2016 i have used the bahtinov mask feature and byes fwhm. Farpoint bahtinov mask for refractors or newtonians with 5. Once you gain experience with this device you can even understand which way to turn. The bahtinov mask forms a long cross, composed of two diffraction spikes, centered on the bright object.
The bahtinov aid uses licensed technology developed by neils noordhoek the very same technology built into the famous bahtinov grabber. Farpoint bahtinov masks are by far, the easiest, fastest and most consistent manual focusing aid available to the amateur astrophotographer. In each panel, im showing the star as viewed with top and without bottom the mask in place. One mask is a general purpose mask designed to fit refractors and newtonian telescope. Bahtivov mask the bahtinov mask is a plate with three sections of parallel slits that fits over the end of the telescope and produces diffraction spikes on the focal plane below left photo. Farpoint fp410 bahtinov focus mask celestron 8in sct. Farpoint astro bahtinov focus mask for meade 10 sct fp4. Best focus is reached when the middle spike is centered between the other two spikes. 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. The gerd neumann bahtinov mask is of high quality and should last a long time with care. Each section of parallel slits is orientated at a slightly different angle, giving three different.
Focusing using bahtinov mask main sequence software. Jun 23, 2017 the bahtinov mask is a widely used tool that cleverly uses diffraction as a focusing aid. This customizable design generates custom bahtinov masks, which are used to aid focusing telescopes during astrophotography. Pop the mask in, calibrate the spikes, remove the mask, and there you have it. To use the panel, point your telescope at zenith straight up and place the panel gently on top of your telescope. There are many methods, software and devices on the market but the bahtinov mask is the least expensive and is a very effective tool. Previously ive just used a bahtinov mask to get focus with dslr dso imaging and the canon utilities capture software imaging. Farpoint bahtinov focus mask for astrophotography manufacturer part number fp410. This indispensable astrophotography tool is constructed from nearly indestructible abs plastic. 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.
In 2005, russian astrophotographer pavel bahtinov created a mask that fits over the front aperture of a telescope to solve this problem with high accuracy. The following image shows the guider camera in focus, with the center line in a position symmetrical between the diagonals. A bahtinov mask can help you achieve a sharp focus for your astrophotography images. They require that you target is a point of light, such as a star or distant planet, therefore are no good for daytoday use. This model generator allowed for the size of the mask to be adjusted according to the measurements of my own telescope. Buy gosky bahtinov focusing mask for telescopes dew shield. 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 your telescope quickly and easily.
They are named after paul bahtinov, who developed the first designs. Precise focusing of telescopes and astrographs is critical. The spikea flat fielder can correct those imperfections quickly and easily. Of the two i have come to prefer the full width half maximum fwhm feature of bye. Im running the 32bit version on a netbook, canon 300d camera and. Dec 06, 2014 one thing ive seen with all these focusing methods is the need to get fairly close to focus before they work. Bahtinov focusing mask for 80mm telescope a4 printout, generated by tool. How does this mask work, and how did mr bahtinov get the idea to cut such a peculiar shape. Farpoint bahtinov focusing mask for celestron 8 sct.
Farpoint bahtinov focus mask for celestron 8 classic sct. Also, i have done comparisons of focusing with a bahtinov mask and a. Bahtinov mask focusing feature backyardeos otelescope. Apt has a function called bahtinov aid based on bahtinov grabber technology and it provides an excellent visual and digital reference when using a bahtinov mask to come to focus. A bahtinov mask is a device used to accurately focus an astronomical telescope. The spikea focusing mask astronomy technology today 61 the focus knob, the line will either move towards the center of the v or away from it. This focus mask type is the only one that does not use diffraction and are best suited for gross focus adjustments as smaller discrepancies can be difficult to detect. May 10, 2011 does a focus mask work for lunar imaging, so you focus on a star then pan across to the moon keeping the same focus.
We have not yet decided if we are going to do this. The bahtinov mask is a widely used tool that cleverly uses diffraction as a focusing aid. Farpoint manufactures this lifesaving astrophotography tool out of virtually indestructable abs plastic and comes in two major types and in a range of sizes. It can be used alone or in conjunction with software such. Although masks have long been used as focusing aids, the distinctive pattern was invented by russian amateur astrophotographer pavel bahtinov russian. As the focus is adjusted, the center diffraction spike appears to move.
I have used the bahtinov mask feature and byes fwhm. Improve your astrophotography focus with a bahtinov mask. In summary, this mask is much better than a hartmann mask but it is harder to make as it has many openings to be cut accurately. 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. Although masks have long been used as focusing aids, the distinctive. The bahtinov mask is a device used to focus small astronomical telescopes accurately. The other mask is designed to fit schmidt cassegrain telescopes. Two of them form an x shape, and another spike crosses it, forming a shape. Bahtinov mask archives milkywayphotographers milky way. Tcomp temperature compensating software bahtinov mask. 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. Continuing the discussion from focusing using bahtinov mask. One thing ive seen with all these focusing methods is the need to get fairly close to focus before they work. Carey focus masks use slits in two angles, 12 degrees on the left and 10 degrees on the right.
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. Telescope focus aids telescope focus masks high point. It consists of grids positioned in a way so that they create a diffraction spike when focused on a bright star in the night sky. 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. I had the materials lying around, and after making it i was. New innovative bahtinov mask cover patented for wo flt2. Bahtinov focus masks are the brainchild of pavel bahtinov, a russian amateur telescope maker and astronomer.
Dec 18, 2008 a bahtinov mask is a device used to accurately focus an astronomical telescope. Description getting perfect focus with the telescope when making. Bahtinov focus mask for older classic celestron 8 sct without fastar or hyperstar. Lightweight, precision cnc cut, non flexing and with adjustable rubber tabs. A scheiner disk is a mask with two holes, whereas a hartman mask has many holes typically three. In 2005, russian astrophotographer pavel bahtinov created a mask that fits over the front. A bahtinov mask is a musthave for every astrophotographer. The bahtinov mask is just a clever device that amplifies the effect a lot. 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. This mask attaches to the front of the scopes objective lens to show the astronomer how to precisely focus their telescope. In 2008, pavel bahtinov, a russian amateur telescope maker and astronomer, published an ingenious new way to easily focus your dslr camera, webcam or ccd camera for astrophotography.
Select the farpoint fp410h version not this item for all new celestron scopes. 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. Most if not all newer celestrons have fastar or they are fastar ready. The bahtinov mask was invented by russian amateur astrophotographer pavel bahtinov in 2005.
B multiple parallel edges dont make multiple spikes, but just one spike, thick and bright. From beginner telescopes to professional observatories, opt has it all. The bahtinov mask makes it easy to focus your dslr camera, ccd camera, or webcam when imaging the night sky. It consists of a disk made of opaque material fitted over the telescope objective with slots cut out in a specific pattern devised by.
Construction and operation of the mask is reasonable for the price. How to make bahtinov mask, pdf templates deepsky watch. In digital astrophotography it is relatively easy to examine the stars for tiny deviations in focus with images made with theae bahtinov mask with image processing software. It is very easy to use and will result in obtaining precise focus with a camera lens. Gosky bahtinov focusing mask for telescopes dew shield diameter from 75mm 114mm 2. Hartmann masks are cut either with circular or triangular holes. Focusing tool for serious astrophotographers and those who care about their time and quality of astrophotos.
This farpoint bahtinov mask fits telescopes with outside diameters of between 5. Buy gosky bahtinov focusing mask for telescopes dew shield diameter from 75mm 120mm 2. Precise focusing of telescopes and astrographs is critical to performing astrophotography. The batinov mask consists of three separate grids that produce three angled diffraction spikes when the telescope is pointed at a bright star. Getting perfect focus with the telescope when making astrophotographs can be very difficult to do, and serious astrophotographers have long used various tools such as hartmann masks, or knifeedge focusers. I no longer need to fiddle around and wonder, is this the best i can focus it. Aspikeaexample of the nowclassic bahtinov mask is shown in image1. A bahtinov mask creates diffraction spikes visible to the viewer, with each direction of slots in the mask corresponding to a spike. Astrozap astrocaps bahtinov focusing caps explore scientific. Also, a hartmann mask doesnt provide the precision of the spikea.
The bahtinov mask achieves perfect focus in seconds. Ive been having difficulty focusing to infinity with my canon 6d and samyang 14mm f2. Measure your diameter from the end of the tube or dew shield. A bahtinov mask is a device used to help focus telescopes but can also. It allows achieving precise focus using a bahtinov mask making subpixel analysis of the spikes. 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.
I also have a celestron c8 and motofocus jmi, and you know the final approach to the focus in c8 to be done in an anticlockwise to compensate for gravity. Apt bahtinov aid focus problems discussions software. When precize focus is achieved the pattern becomes symmetrical. The hartmann mask and scheiner disk are simple devices for making focusing a lens easier.
When the center diffraction spike is symmetrically placed within the cross formed by the other two diffraction spikes. Bahtinov mask the easiest way to achieve sharp focus. 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. 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. Im running the 32bit version on a netbook, canon 300d camera and dslrfocus software for image capture. What i see in the image when im a long way away from focus is a collection of circles or doughnuts. The method is simple, very intuitive and the device has universally been named after the inventor. A bahtinov mask is a device used to help focus telescopes but can also be used to achieve focus on any camera with a telephoto lens. Using and making flyscreen bahtinov mask for focusing. Farpoint fp410 bahtinov focus mask celestron 8in sct fp410. Bahtinov mask created by 3d printing astronomy notebook. It requires the capability to acquire 640x480 images. The central spike moves left or right relative to the diagonal x spikes according to focus position.
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