Ok I'm VERY new at this and my pictures of Jupiter are at best... pixelated
fuzzy blobs.

I teach astronomy at my high school and was VERY excited when my school was able
to purchase two Neximage cameras. I truly just want to get my students out DOING
astronomy and less of the messing on the computers, taking notes, and
calculating orbital speeds. :)

We have...

(1) 10" Meade Lx Classic - Someone fried the control pad so it doesn't auto
track anymore :(

(2) 3.5" Orion Starmax Maksutov-Cassegrain - No auto tracking

(2) 4" Orion Polaris - But only one mount - No Auto Tracking

Various low quality eyepieces that came with the polaris telescopes

(2) 25mm nice plossl eyepies

(1) 32mm, 15mm, 9mm, 6mm, 4mm & 2xBarlow (Plossl)

Various eyepiece filters

(2) Neximage cameras

Location

Urban(ish) - Fayetteville NC

Hi Tim,
     I havent been able to find the pictures you mentioned. What would the
procedure be?... Also, I noticed that your Video Pin was set at 320 X 240. I
dont know if that could make a difference, but I've always had that setting at
640 X 480.

Bye,        Monti

--- In neximage@yahoogroups.com, "smwilcox2002" <smwilcox2002@...> wrote:
>
> Bill,  I went and looked at several other pictures and perhaps I was being a
little too critical.  I have to remember that I am using a $89 camera.
>
> Thanks---I will keep on shooting.
> Tim
>
>

Bill,  I went and looked at several other pictures and perhaps I was being a
little too critical.  I have to remember that I am using a $89 camera.

Thanks---I will keep on shooting.
Tim

--- In neximage@yahoogroups.com, "brhendricks" <billhendricks@...> wrote:
>
> Tim,
>
> Looking at your pics, they don't appear to be that grainy. In fact, they look
pretty good to me (the GRS really came out well). However, as happens with all
of my Jovi pics, it just seems to lack fine detail. Comparing your pics to mine,
they seem comparable in image quality. If you'd like, go to <Photos><Bill H> and
take a look.
>
> I'm assuming you're using Registax to process your AVIs. As you probably know,
once the images are stacked in Registax, wavelet filters are used to increase
image detail. There is a fine line using these filters, though. Over-doing the
wavelets will produce an image that looks entirely unnatural. I believe that
finding that sweetspot while using the wavelets is one of the keys to good image
processing. The other may be to ensure that one of the best looking frames is
selected before beginning the stacking process. Registax uses your selected
frame as 'the reference frame' and compares all other frames to it in the
stacking process. The point is, out of the hundreds of frames to be processed,
you definitely want to begin with one of the better ones.
>
> That's really about all I can think of that may provide some help, outside of
a software modification - that is. Since I modified my camera, I can definitely
tell a difference in resolution - especially on Luna.
>
> Bill H
> League City, TX
> NexImage Color RAW Mode modified
>
> --- In neximage@yahoogroups.com, "smwilcox2002" <smwilcox2002@> wrote:
> >
> > Bill,  I posted a couple pictures in the photo area.  Look for 112809c and
112809e Grainy Jupiter pictures.
> >
> > Thanks
> > Tim
> >
> > --- In neximage@yahoogroups.com, "brhendricks" <billhendricks@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Tim,
> > >
> > > Please provide some additional details on the equipment used for imaging,
capture software settings, etc. Do you have the pic posted?
> > >
> > > Bill H
> > > League City, TX
> > > Color RAW Mode modified Neximage
> > >
> > > --- In neximage@yahoogroups.com, "smwilcox2002" <smwilcox2002@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > My pictures of Jupiter are very grainy.  I have a good focus and the
features like the bands and red spot are distinct.  How can I get rid of the
grainy look to the photo that I have processed in Registax 5?  Is there a camera
setting that is causing the grainy look?  Can it be the processing that I am
doing?
> > > >
> > > > Thanks
> > > > Tim
>

Tim,

Looking at your pics, they don't appear to be that grainy. In fact, they look
pretty good to me (the GRS really came out well). However, as happens with all
of my Jovi pics, it just seems to lack fine detail. Comparing your pics to mine,
they seem comparable in image quality. If you'd like, go to <Photos><Bill H> and
take a look.

I'm assuming you're using Registax to process your AVIs. As you probably know,
once the images are stacked in Registax, wavelet filters are used to increase
image detail. There is a fine line using these filters, though. Over-doing the
wavelets will produce an image that looks entirely unnatural. I believe that
finding that sweetspot while using the wavelets is one of the keys to good image
processing. The other may be to ensure that one of the best looking frames is
selected before beginning the stacking process. Registax uses your selected
frame as 'the reference frame' and compares all other frames to it in the
stacking process. The point is, out of the hundreds of frames to be processed,
you definitely want to begin with one of the better ones.

That's really about all I can think of that may provide some help, outside of a
software modification - that is. Since I modified my camera, I can definitely
tell a difference in resolution - especially on Luna.

Bill H
League City, TX
NexImage Color RAW Mode modified

--- In neximage@yahoogroups.com, "smwilcox2002" <smwilcox2002@...> wrote:
>
> Bill,  I posted a couple pictures in the photo area.  Look for 112809c and
112809e Grainy Jupiter pictures.
>
> Thanks
> Tim
>
> --- In neximage@yahoogroups.com, "brhendricks" <billhendricks@> wrote:
> >
> > Tim,
> >
> > Please provide some additional details on the equipment used for imaging,
capture software settings, etc. Do you have the pic posted?
> >
> > Bill H
> > League City, TX
> > Color RAW Mode modified Neximage
> >
> > --- In neximage@yahoogroups.com, "smwilcox2002" <smwilcox2002@> wrote:
> > >
> > > My pictures of Jupiter are very grainy.  I have a good focus and the
features like the bands and red spot are distinct.  How can I get rid of the
grainy look to the photo that I have processed in Registax 5?  Is there a camera
setting that is causing the grainy look?  Can it be the processing that I am
doing?
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > > Tim

Bill,  I posted a couple pictures in the photo area.  Look for 112809c and
112809e Grainy Jupiter pictures.

Thanks
Tim

--- In neximage@yahoogroups.com, "brhendricks" <billhendricks@...> wrote:
>
> Tim,
>
> Please provide some additional details on the equipment used for imaging,
capture software settings, etc. Do you have the pic posted?
>
> Bill H
> League City, TX
> Color RAW Mode modified Neximage
>
> --- In neximage@yahoogroups.com, "smwilcox2002" <smwilcox2002@> wrote:
> >
> > My pictures of Jupiter are very grainy.  I have a good focus and the
features like the bands and red spot are distinct.  How can I get rid of the
grainy look to the photo that I have processed in Registax 5?  Is there a camera
setting that is causing the grainy look?  Can it be the processing that I am
doing?
> >
> > Thanks
> > Tim
> >
>

Bill,  Thanks for the reply.  I am using AMCap with the Celestron Neximage
(unmodified).  I am using the following settings most of the time.  Video
Capture Filter--Image Control: brightness at 50%, Contrast at 50%, Gamma at 25%,
Saturation at 30%.  For exposure my settings are: Auto unchecked, Shutter speed
at 1/25 and Gain at 45%.  My frame rate is 10 fps.  For Video Capture Pin my
output is 320X240 with a color space of 1420.

I will try to post a picture as soon as I figure out how to do it.

Thanks for your help.
Tim

--- In neximage@yahoogroups.com, "brhendricks" <billhendricks@...> wrote:
>
> Tim,
>
> Please provide some additional details on the equipment used for imaging,
capture software settings, etc. Do you have the pic posted?
>
> Bill H
> League City, TX
> Color RAW Mode modified Neximage
>
> --- In neximage@yahoogroups.com, "smwilcox2002" <smwilcox2002@> wrote:
> >
> > My pictures of Jupiter are very grainy.  I have a good focus and the
features like the bands and red spot are distinct.  How can I get rid of the
grainy look to the photo that I have processed in Registax 5?  Is there a camera
setting that is causing the grainy look?  Can it be the processing that I am
doing?
> >
> > Thanks
> > Tim
> >
>

Tim,

Please provide some additional details on the equipment used for imaging,
capture software settings, etc. Do you have the pic posted?

Bill H
League City, TX
Color RAW Mode modified Neximage

--- In neximage@yahoogroups.com, "smwilcox2002" <smwilcox2002@...> wrote:
>
> My pictures of Jupiter are very grainy.  I have a good focus and the features
like the bands and red spot are distinct.  How can I get rid of the grainy look
to the photo that I have processed in Registax 5?  Is there a camera setting
that is causing the grainy look?  Can it be the processing that I am doing?
>
> Thanks
> Tim
>

My pictures of Jupiter are very grainy.  I have a good focus and the features
like the bands and red spot are distinct.  How can I get rid of the grainy look
to the photo that I have processed in Registax 5?  Is there a camera setting
that is causing the grainy look?  Can it be the processing that I am doing?

Thanks
Tim

Thanks for the help.  I used a Q-tip as suggested and it worked great.  My
Neximage is working great!!!!

Tim

--- In neximage@yahoogroups.com, Lynn Francis <1312.francis@...> wrote:
>
> When I found my spots wouldn't blow off any longer, I used a Q-tip very
> lightly dampened (not even wet enough to be called dampened but I couldn't
> think of any other word) with rubbing alcohol  and wiped across in one
> direction and only using a side of the Q-tip only once.  Only took about two
> swipes and it was as clean as new.
>
>
>
> Lynn
>
>
>
> From: neximage@yahoogroups.com [mailto:neximage@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
> Of smwilcox2002
> Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 12:46 PM
> To: neximage@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [neximage] Cleaning a Neximage
>
>
>
>
>
> What is the best way to clean my Neximage? I have spots on the imager that
> show up in the final picture. I have used two different barlows and 2
> different telescopes and the spots are still there so I believe they are on
> the imager.
>
> Thanks
> Tim
>

Hi Ed

If you have a friend that can help out you could also try it in their scope.
Has anything in your setup changed since the last time the neximage was used?
I have 2 scopes and and the 2nd I need an extender to use it least I end up
with similar probs to you. Just read that your scope is the new part in the
equation so that could be a part of it. I would say to find someone willing
to try your neximage on their scope. That should settle if it's actually the
cam. The washout you mention with just the cam I think is normal as there's
nothing to focus an image at that point. Also if you put a coloured light in
font of it does the capture area show the colour of the light?

It is possible the cam is caput also

James

On Saturday 28 November 2009 04:08:26 ejm_astro wrote:
> James,
>
> Thanks for the response.  I'm doing what you suggested concerning the focal
> point and a daytime target, but I'm getting nothing but static.
>
> Even when I take the imager out of the scope and just aim it at a light I
> don't get any response (like just a wash-out).
>
> I'm beginning to think that my imager "just ain't gonna image no more"
>
> Thanks...
>
> --  Ed
>
> --- In neximage@yahoogroups.com, James Takac <p3nndrag0n@...> wrote:
> > Hi
> >
> > It could be a focus issue. That the light is there suggests the cam is
> > working. I find it easier to diagnose this sort of thing during daylight
> > and trying to focus on something in the distance. I've on occasion had to
> > move the camera in or out to find the focal point. On my setup this cam
> > is very fussy as to it's exact position. I have to have it only partially
> > in the focuser, i.e. not all the way inserted to get my focus consistent.
> > And it's certainly much easier to see during daylight than at night for
> > this sort of thing
> >
> > James
> >
> > On Thursday 26 November 2009 00:57:45 ejm_astro wrote:
> > > I bought my Neximage about 4 years ago and used it with my Celestron
> > > C90. I used it a few times but then I put it away and have not used it
> > > since.
> > >
> > > I just bought a Stellarvue 102ED and want to see what kind of imaging I
> > > can accomplish with it.  So I installed the drivers on my laptop, and
> > > I'm running AmCap.  I hooked up the Neximage to the 'scope and... no
> > > image. Here are the details:
> > >
> > > * It was cloudy so I aimed at a street light about 200 feet away. I can
> > > focus to it through an eyepiece, so that's not the issue * I set
> > > "Preview" and I get a dark window with some indistinguishable blobs of
> > > light * Changing focus on the scope does not change anything
> > > * Changing the brightness and gain just make the window lighter or
> > > darker, but don't resolve the blobs * I was pretty methodical about
> > > making the changes, i.e., changing a setting slightly, then trying to
> > > re-focus
> > >
> > > So, any thoughts or ideas?  Is my Neximage dead?  Is there something I
> > > can do to diagnose it?
> > >
> > > Thanks...

Last Wednesday, I took my newly modified NexImage camera out for a 'first light'
test drive on Jupiter and Luna. I used the standard AMCap image capturing
software that came on my NexImage CD, though I did follow the mod documentation
for proper AMCap settings. The resulting images had from the soft-mod are much
better than I expected, especially considering the low cost - FREE. If you'd
like to see the pics, just click-on the link below:

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/neximage/files/Bill%20H/Pix/NexImage%20CRM/

If the link doesn't work for you, just goto <Files><Bill H><Pix><NexImage CRM>.

Reviewing my previous results, there's definitely more image detail to be gained
with the software camera modification. The only difference in post-processing
images is that the AVI files taken with the mod camera needs to be 'de-bayered'
via software such as AviRaw (free). Using AviRaw is not at all difficult - just
load your AVI file into the software, choose the color button that makes your
image appear best, then save the new AVI file for Registax (or other)
processing. BTW, I have an easy-to-follow document posted if you'd like to
soft-mod your NexImage camera.

Warning!  DO NOT soft-modify your camera if manufacturer warranty remains.
Though the camera can be 're-loaded' to factory spec easily enough, there's
always the chance that something will go wrong.

Take a look at the pics and let me know what you think!

Bill H
League City, TX
Color RAW Mode modified NexImage

James,

Thanks for the response.  I'm doing what you suggested concerning the focal
point and a daytime target, but I'm getting nothing but static.

Even when I take the imager out of the scope and just aim it at a light I don't
get any response (like just a wash-out).

I'm beginning to think that my imager "just ain't gonna image no more"

Thanks...

--  Ed

--- In neximage@yahoogroups.com, James Takac <p3nndrag0n@...> wrote:
>
> Hi
>
> It could be a focus issue. That the light is there suggests the cam is
> working. I find it easier to diagnose this sort of thing during daylight and
> trying to focus on something in the distance. I've on occasion had to move
> the camera in or out to find the focal point. On my setup this cam is very
> fussy as to it's exact position. I have to have it only partially in the
> focuser, i.e. not all the way inserted to get my focus consistent. And it's
> certainly much easier to see during daylight than at night for this sort of
> thing
>
> James
>
> On Thursday 26 November 2009 00:57:45 ejm_astro wrote:
> > I bought my Neximage about 4 years ago and used it with my Celestron C90.
> > I used it a few times but then I put it away and have not used it since.
> >
> > I just bought a Stellarvue 102ED and want to see what kind of imaging I can
> > accomplish with it.  So I installed the drivers on my laptop, and I'm
> > running AmCap.  I hooked up the Neximage to the 'scope and... no image.
> > Here are the details:
> >
> > * It was cloudy so I aimed at a street light about 200 feet away. I can
> > focus to it through an eyepiece, so that's not the issue * I set "Preview"
> > and I get a dark window with some indistinguishable blobs of light *
> > Changing focus on the scope does not change anything
> > * Changing the brightness and gain just make the window lighter or darker,
> > but don't resolve the blobs * I was pretty methodical about making the
> > changes, i.e., changing a setting slightly, then trying to re-focus
> >
> > So, any thoughts or ideas?  Is my Neximage dead?  Is there something I can
> > do to diagnose it?
> >
> > Thanks...
>

Hi Bill,

Thanks for the suggestions.  I tried what you said concerning the shutter speed
- no dice.

Good try - any other suggestions?

Thanks...

--  Ed


--- In neximage@yahoogroups.com, "brhendricks" <billhendricks@...> wrote:
>
> In your AMCap image capturing software, select <Options><Video Capture
Filter>. Check-mark the box next to 'Full Auto Mode'. Toggle the Shutter Speed
control until you get an image. I recently spent about 15-minutes trying to find
The Moon with my camera and found the shutter speed was set way too high. Once I
began to back it down a bit, the image finally appeared. Good luck, and let us
know what happens.
>
> Bill H
> League City, TX
>
> --- In neximage@yahoogroups.com, "ejm_astro" <ejm.astron@> wrote:
> >
> > I bought my Neximage about 4 years ago and used it with my Celestron C90.  I
used it a few times but then I put it away and have not used it since.
> >
> > I just bought a Stellarvue 102ED and want to see what kind of imaging I can
accomplish with it.  So I installed the drivers on my laptop, and I'm running
AmCap.  I hooked up the Neximage to the 'scope and... no image.  Here are the
details:
> >
> > * It was cloudy so I aimed at a street light about 200 feet away. I can
focus to it through an eyepiece, so that's not the issue
> > * I set "Preview" and I get a dark window with some indistinguishable blobs
of light
> > * Changing focus on the scope does not change anything
> > * Changing the brightness and gain just make the window lighter or darker,
but don't resolve the blobs
> > * I was pretty methodical about making the changes, i.e., changing a setting
slightly, then trying to re-focus
> >
> > So, any thoughts or ideas?  Is my Neximage dead?  Is there something I can
do to diagnose it?
> >
> > Thanks...
>

In your AMCap image capturing software, select <Options><Video Capture Filter>.
Check-mark the box next to 'Full Auto Mode'. Toggle the Shutter Speed control
until you get an image. I recently spent about 15-minutes trying to find The
Moon with my camera and found the shutter speed was set way too high. Once I
began to back it down a bit, the image finally appeared. Good luck, and let us
know what happens.

Bill H
League City, TX

--- In neximage@yahoogroups.com, "ejm_astro" <ejm.astron@...> wrote:
>
> I bought my Neximage about 4 years ago and used it with my Celestron C90.  I
used it a few times but then I put it away and have not used it since.
>
> I just bought a Stellarvue 102ED and want to see what kind of imaging I can
accomplish with it.  So I installed the drivers on my laptop, and I'm running
AmCap.  I hooked up the Neximage to the 'scope and... no image.  Here are the
details:
>
> * It was cloudy so I aimed at a street light about 200 feet away. I can focus
to it through an eyepiece, so that's not the issue
> * I set "Preview" and I get a dark window with some indistinguishable blobs of
light
> * Changing focus on the scope does not change anything
> * Changing the brightness and gain just make the window lighter or darker, but
don't resolve the blobs
> * I was pretty methodical about making the changes, i.e., changing a setting
slightly, then trying to re-focus
>
> So, any thoughts or ideas?  Is my Neximage dead?  Is there something I can do
to diagnose it?
>
> Thanks...

Hi

It could be a focus issue. That the light is there suggests the cam is
working. I find it easier to diagnose this sort of thing during daylight and
trying to focus on something in the distance. I've on occasion had to move
the camera in or out to find the focal point. On my setup this cam is very
fussy as to it's exact position. I have to have it only partially in the
focuser, i.e. not all the way inserted to get my focus consistent. And it's
certainly much easier to see during daylight than at night for this sort of
thing

James

On Thursday 26 November 2009 00:57:45 ejm_astro wrote:
> I bought my Neximage about 4 years ago and used it with my Celestron C90.
> I used it a few times but then I put it away and have not used it since.
>
> I just bought a Stellarvue 102ED and want to see what kind of imaging I can
> accomplish with it.  So I installed the drivers on my laptop, and I'm
> running AmCap.  I hooked up the Neximage to the 'scope and... no image.
> Here are the details:
>
> * It was cloudy so I aimed at a street light about 200 feet away. I can
> focus to it through an eyepiece, so that's not the issue * I set "Preview"
> and I get a dark window with some indistinguishable blobs of light *
> Changing focus on the scope does not change anything
> * Changing the brightness and gain just make the window lighter or darker,
> but don't resolve the blobs * I was pretty methodical about making the
> changes, i.e., changing a setting slightly, then trying to re-focus
>
> So, any thoughts or ideas?  Is my Neximage dead?  Is there something I can
> do to diagnose it?
>
> Thanks...

Chas,

Did you ever get your Neximage to start working again?  I'm also having a
problem with a Neximage that no longer works.  Do you have any tips for me on
how to diagnose the problem?

Thanks...

--  Ed

--- In neximage@yahoogroups.com, "Charles Lail" <project_x@...> wrote:
>
> I am glad to see a group devoted to using neximage.  It has been awhile
> sense I have got to go out and use my neximage.  I also have a problem,
> my imager is not working.  I don't know if it got damaged in the move
> or it just stoped working.  Looks like I will have to buy a new one
> unless someone has an idea.
>
> Chas
>

I bought my Neximage about 4 years ago and used it with my Celestron C90.  I
used it a few times but then I put it away and have not used it since.

I just bought a Stellarvue 102ED and want to see what kind of imaging I can
accomplish with it.  So I installed the drivers on my laptop, and I'm running
AmCap.  I hooked up the Neximage to the 'scope and... no image.  Here are the
details:

* It was cloudy so I aimed at a street light about 200 feet away. I can focus to
it through an eyepiece, so that's not the issue
* I set "Preview" and I get a dark window with some indistinguishable blobs of
light
* Changing focus on the scope does not change anything
* Changing the brightness and gain just make the window lighter or darker, but
don't resolve the blobs
* I was pretty methodical about making the changes, i.e., changing a setting
slightly, then trying to re-focus

So, any thoughts or ideas?  Is my Neximage dead?  Is there something I can do to
diagnose it?

Thanks...

What is the best way to clean my Neximage?  I have spots on the imager that show
up in the final picture.  I have used two different barlows and 2 different
telescopes and the spots are still there so I believe they are on the imager.

Thanks
Tim

Does anyone here use AviRAW? I have my NexImage camera modified for Color RAW
Mode, and would like to know the steps involved for processing color AVI files.
I've been to the AviRAW website, and while it well describes the purpose of the
software, it's a bit short on processing instructions. Tks.

Bill H
League City, TX

Thanks for your help, Leonard!

I did read the Astrobond doc before posting here, but found the author's
explainations somewhat difficult to follow. That's the way it is when hacking
electronics, I suppose. The information available isn't always as fluid as one
would like, but it's eventually harnessed and made useful.

Bill H
League City, TX

--- In neximage@yahoogroups.com, "LKnoll" <leonard.knoll@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Bill:
>
> Go here ... http://www.astrosurf.com/astrobond/ebrawe.htm
>
> You have to use this utility ... http://www.burri-web.org/bm98/soft/wcrmac/
(described in the first link above), which makes use of separate downloadable
programming macros (several choices of macros ... also described near the end of
the link above) to load some new firmware into your NexImage.The firmware load
is easy to undo if you don't like it for whatever reason. It's all described in
the first link above.
>
> There's no learning curve. Just read the first link above. I did it and it's
easy. If I can do it, anyone can. And BTW, it actually works!
>
> If you still have the original color CCD in the NexImage then you'll want
WcRmac to use the "COLOR RAW mode" macro. You can also replace the color CCD in
the NexImage with a B&W version which doesn't have the Bayer mask on the front
surface of the CCD (this allows more light to impinge upon the surface of the
CCD), then you'll want WcRmac to use the "B&W Raw Mode" macro.
>
> You have to download the macros from somewhere. I forget where. I think the
first link above has the webpage link(s) for the macros to be used by WcRmac.
>
> I see there's a new macro called "OPTIMIZED COLOR (NON RAW) Mode". I haven't
tried this yet, but it looks to be worth a try.
>
> On another topic apart from the RAW mode macros .... to replace the colour CCD
with the B&W version requires being pretty handy at fine soldering and fine
mechanical work. That operation will gain you quite a few more stars in the FOV
for endeavours like autoguiding. I use such a B&W-modified NexImage all the time
for autoguiding. But don't get me wrong, the original color CCD works just fine
for autoguiding.
>
> Have fun,
> - Leonard K
>
>
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: brhendricks
>   To: neximage@yahoogroups.com
>   Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 9:12 PM
>   Subject: [neximage] need NexImage RAW modification advice
>
>
>
>   Hello, all!
>
>   First post, so please be nice. :)
>
>   Having used two webcam-type cameras (Meade's Color USB PC-Camera and a
homemade camera I built using the sensor from a Logitech QuickCam) over the last
2-years for lunar & planetary imaging, I thought I'd purchase a NexImage for
comparison purposes. It should arrive in a few days.
>
>   On Celestron's support site, they note that the camera's internal BIOS can
be modified to operate in RAW (uncompressed) AVI mode, which will improve its
image quality by about 2x. The questions I have about this venture are:
>
>   1. Where can I get the best documentation covering the 'mod' process?
>
>   2. How complicated is the process (learning curve)?
>
>   3. Does the mod render the camera to monochrome-only useage, or can it also
be used in it's intended modes? If used for mono only, how can color be
re-applied to my images?
>
>   4. What image capturing software needs to be acquired for use with the
modified camera?
>
>   5. Any caveats?
>
>   Thanks,
>
>   Bill H
>   League City, TX
>

----- Original Message -----

From: brhendricks

To: neximage@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 9:12 PM

Subject: [neximage] need NexImage RAW modification advice

 

Hello, all!

First post, so please be nice. :)

Having used two webcam-type cameras (Meade's Color USB PC-Camera and a homemade camera I built using the sensor from a Logitech QuickCam) over the last 2-years for lunar & planetary imaging, I thought I'd purchase a NexImage for comparison purposes. It should arrive in a few days.

On Celestron's support site, they note that the camera's internal BIOS can be modified to operate in RAW (uncompressed) AVI mode, which will improve its image quality by about 2x. The questions I have about this venture are:

1. Where can I get the best documentation covering the 'mod' process?

2. How complicated is the process (learning curve)?

3. Does the mod render the camera to monochrome-only useage, or can it also be used in it's intended modes? If used for mono only, how can color be re-applied to my images?

4. What image capturing software needs to be acquired for use with the modified camera?

5. Any caveats?

Thanks,

Bill H
League City, TX

Hello, all!

First post, so please be nice.  :)

Having used two webcam-type cameras (Meade's Color USB PC-Camera and a homemade
camera I built using the sensor from a Logitech QuickCam) over the last 2-years
for lunar & planetary imaging, I thought I'd purchase a NexImage for comparison
purposes. It should arrive in a few days.

On Celestron's support site, they note that the camera's internal BIOS can be
modified to operate in RAW (uncompressed) AVI mode, which will improve its image
quality by about 2x. The questions I have about this venture are:

1. Where can I get the best documentation covering the 'mod' process?

2. How complicated is the process (learning curve)?

3. Does the mod render the camera to monochrome-only useage, or can it also be
used in it's intended modes? If used for mono only, how can color be re-applied
to my images?

4. What image capturing software needs to be acquired for use with the modified
camera?

5. Any caveats?

Thanks,

Bill H
League City, TX

----- Original Message -----

From: imontam

To: neximage@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Monday, November 09, 2009 5:48 PM

Subject: [neximage] Re: Autoguiding.

 

Hi,
Yesterday, I installed the Celestron Radial Guider that I have had for a couple of years (I actually used it only once, trying to manually guide during a deep-sky session... it didn't work out very well). But, used with software, it could be a good alternative to the finderscope-NI setup that I have been working on. So I tested it yesterday (in daylight), using a distant object outside as a target. Initially, results were dismal, until I noticed that the little prism in the Guider was installed the wrong way... backwards! How it got like that, I have no idea. So I loosened the little screws and turned the barrel 180 deg and tried again, inserting the Neximage into the guider's eyepiece holder, first with the NI 0.5 reducer installed, then the Neximage alone. To my surprise, focus was easy to obtain in both situations and the image on my laptop's screen was sharp... and it was really zoomed in on a detail of the target. The eyepiece holder can rotate 145 deg. Finding a guide star in the darkness of night my be a bit more tricky, I presume. So perhaps a lot of daytime tests could be useful in getting used to the geometry of the apparatus. So, basically, focus was easy to achieve. The only uncertainty here being that the target used, though distant (a couple of hundred yards), was maybe not equivalent to infinity, so the real focus might be a bit different, and there was very little wiggle room left (the NI, when used alone, was all the way in the holder).

Bye, Monti.

---

Hi,
      Yesterday, I installed the Celestron Radial Guider that I have had for a
couple of years (I actually used it only once, trying to manually guide during a
deep-sky session... it didn't work out very well). But, used with software, it
could be a good alternative to the finderscope-NI setup that I have been working
on. So I tested it yesterday (in daylight), using a distant object outside as a
target. Initially, results were dismal, until I noticed that the little prism in
the Guider was installed the wrong way... backwards! How it got like that, I
have no idea. So I loosened the little screws and turned the barrel 180 deg and
tried again, inserting the Neximage into the guider's eyepiece holder, first
with the NI 0.5 reducer installed, then the Neximage alone. To my surprise,
focus was easy to obtain in both situations and the image on my laptop's screen
was sharp... and it was really zoomed in on a detail of the target. The eyepiece
holder can rotate 145 deg.  Finding a guide star in the darkness of night my be
a bit more tricky, I presume. So perhaps a lot of daytime tests could be useful
in getting used to the geometry of the apparatus. So, basically, focus was easy
to achieve. The only uncertainty here being that the target used, though distant
(a couple of hundred yards), was maybe not equivalent to infinity, so the real
focus might be a bit different, and there was very little wiggle room left (the
NI, when used alone, was all the way in the holder).

Bye,     Monti.

---

I don't know.  I'm the one with the Celestron Radial Guider.  I don't
have the others.  You can download the instruction manual for the Orion
off-axis guider from the Orion web site <http://www.telescope.com>.  The
Astronomics web site <http://www.astronomics.com> has a copy of the
instructions for the Celestron Radial Guider.  That might be of some
help in your decision.  I'm not familiar enough with the Teleskop
Service off axis guider to know where to look for an instruction manual.

One thing about off axis guiders is that the off axis guider has to be
close enough to the objective for the image formed by the rays caught by
the pickoff prism or mirror to be at the focal plane of the guiding
eyepiece or autoguiding camera, or else it won't work.  This puts the
focal position for the imaging camera further from the off-axis guider
than you might think from looking at just the thickness of the off axis
guider.

Bud

LKnoll wrote:
>
>
> Bud:
>
> This whole OAG thing has got me nervous as far as spending a fair
> chunk of money and then find out that the one I choose will have some
> serious shortcoming. Some folks like the Lumicon, others like the
> Orion, and others like the Teleskop Service TSOAG9T2. I'm going to
> have to do a lot more research before I decide.
>
> Right now I'm kind of leaning towards the TSOAG9T2 because it allows
> both mirror and off-axis tube adjustment, plus it has a shallow depth.
> However someone in the Autoguiding group said that it only has three
> radial positions, each 120deg apart, rather than 360deg rotation. I
> don't know if that's a drawback at all. I haven't seen any OAGs that
> have 360deg rotation. I know the Lumicon only has 120deg of rotation,
> although it is also shallow depth (9mm I think). And the TSOAG9T2 had
> the three stops mentioned above. What is the radial adjustment of the
> off-axis port on the Orion OAG?
>
> - Leonard K
>
>
>
>     ----- Original Message -----
>     *From:* William Hamblen <mailto:wrhamblen@...>
>     *To:* neximage@yahoogroups.com <mailto:neximage@yahoogroups.com>
>     *Sent:* Saturday, November 07, 2009 11:27 PM
>     *Subject:* Re: [neximage] Re: Autoguiding.
>
>
>
>     LKnoll wrote:
>
>     > From what I've read of other peoples' experiences with OAGs, the
>     > focus can sometimes be finicky.
>
>     The Celestron Radial Guider is designed to be used with a t-mount
>     adapter and a 35 mm camera. This puts the focal plane of the 35 mm
>     camera 55 mm from the rear of the Radial Guider, as measured from the
>     shoulder surrounding the 42 mm x 0.75 mm male thread at the rear
>     of the
>     Radial Guider. If you use a CCD camera that puts the focal plane at a
>     different position you will need to put a threaded extension tube
>     between the CCD camera and the Radial Guider to make up the
>     difference.
>     The Radial Guider also is designed to be used with a reticle
>     eyepiece in
>     the side port. The focal plane of the eyepiece is above the upper end
>     of the eyepiece holder when the telescope is focused with a 35 mm
>     camera
>     attached to the Radial Guider.
>
>     Bud
>
>
>
>
>