Auto focusing

[medst22531@msn.com]

Can you tell us when an auto focusing feature might be available?  Moonlite focusers have a simple program for jogging their focusers using a computer.

[gfunkernator]

If only BYE could autofocus with standard motor focusers via ASCOM.  I've never seen ASCOM control Canon cameras though.  SGP is twice the price of BYE premium but does offer way more.  Now what I do is calibrate my motor focuser and get the best focus I can and record the position number.  This way I can switch imaging trains from my standard for DSO and stars to my planetary image train that uses a Barlow.  

[astroman133]

With a Premium license BYE and BYN can control ASCOM focusers. However it does not automatically adjust focus. You must use the ASCOM Focuser panel to adjust the focuser while watching one of the focus metrics change.

You are correct that ASCOM camera drivers for DSLRs are rare/

BYE is a camera capture program. SGP is an imaging automation program, so it is not surprising that it offers additional functionality.

I have found that recording the focuser position is great for providing a starting point that is pretty close to focus. But I live in an area where 40 degreeF temperature changes during an imaging session are routine. Dropping temps cause me to have to refocus at least hourly. This means that I cannot move the focuser to some memorized position and start imaging.

Guylain has said that he has no plans to add automatic focusing functionality to BYE or BYN.

[gfunkernator]

I've run into the same issue where a set focus position changes night to night but yes it's a great starting point.  

[dkerber]

Ok, if autofocus isn't going to happen, how about an enhanced focus assistant? What I have in mind is a graph of focuser position (which you already have) on the x-axis, vs the selected focus parameter (HFD, FWHM or StdDev) on the Y-axis. That would allow the user to manually generate and process a v-curve. Or at least a table of focuser position against focus parameter.

However, I still think a simple iterative approach to focus where it steps the focus in or out until the focus parameter reaches a best point and starts to get worse, then backs back down to the point where the best value was recorded, would be pretty straightforward to develop.

 

 

[eigenfreq]

Your Nikon software is excellent!

I image using a Nikon D810A and 800mm prime lens on a Celestron AVX mount, guided, using Astrodon narrowband, 52mm drop-in filters. I found with my narrowband imaging that every 2C temperature change requires a refocus. If this could be automated for the Nikon Prime Lens arrangement, I could sleep all night while my data was acquired! So if NRE for the development was needed, I could help with that. Thank you so much for creating such a useful software for the Nikon DSLR users!!