Control camera lens focus when not in liveview?

[mmastro]

I want to be able manually control the focus position on a Canon AF lens from within BackyardEOS with liveview NOT activated.  Will BackyardEOS do this?

 

thanks

[astroman133]

No.  The only way to use BYE to adjust lens focus is on the Frame and Focus screen with LiveView active.

[admin]

As Rick said it is not possible.

 

This is a camera limitation, not BYE.  Canon does not allow controlling the lens focus outside live view in their SDK

 

Regrads,

[s3igell]

Perhaps you can provide a bit of explanation as why LiveView isn't desirable for your Manual Focus situation.

One of us might be able to help you figure how to do the same With LiveView.

[astroman133]

Well, it could be a combination of issues...When shooting through a short focal length lens LiveView may not show anything.  If you must focus by taking short snapshots and you are not right at the scope, how do you adjust focus between exposures? I have struggled with similar issues..

 

If this is the mmastro's situation, then I think that the only solution is to focus on the moon, or switch into LiveView, adjust focus and then go back to taking a short snap.

[s3igell]

That's why I was asking the OP for his Usage Scenario.

 

Yes, for quite a number of Targets, you have to slew to a Bright Star and then Focus and then slew back to your Target.  You often must pursue this workflow whether your Camera is a DSLR or a CCD, and whether your Optics is a Short FL Lens or a Long FL Scope.

If you have "remote" control of the Camera via BYE then you probably also have "remote" control of the Mount via ASCOM to solve this challenge.

[mmastro]

Well, it could be a combination of issues...When shooting through a short focal length lens LiveView may not show anything.  If you must focus by taking short snapshots and you are not right at the scope, how do you adjust focus between exposures? I have struggled with similar issues..

 

If this is the mmastro's situation, then I think that the only solution is to focus on the moon, or switch into LiveView, adjust focus and then go back to taking a short snap.

You nailed exactly my scenario.  What is frustrating is that if I use my Android phone or Android tablet I can use 'DSLR controller' software to do exactly what I want, alter the camera lens focus when not it liveview. It's a simple case of focus, test shot, focus, test shot ... ... until I have achieved a focus I'm happy with.  The trouble is I can't run BackyardEOS to run the actual imaging session on an Android tablet!  The only other option is to have two tablets (one Android and one Windows) = bulky and expensive.

[admin]

Sadly the Canon SDK does not allow that