Imo, its much better than visually determining when. Farpoint bahtinov focus mask small is an ingenious new way to easily focus a telescope. The method is simple, very intuitive, and the device has universally been named after the inventor, pavel bahtinov. 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. The gerd neumann bahtinov mask is of high quality and should last a long time with care. Telescope focus aids telescope focus masks high point. I find it difficult to perform my initial focus in sgp using a dslr with a bahtinov mask. This example shows a simulation using another of niels software marvels maskulator.
Bahtinov mask to focus on a star focusing tips youtube. The bahtinov mask is a widely used tool that cleverly uses diffraction as a focusing aid. Add to cart william optics diffraction spikes bahtinov mask for takahashi fsq106 in red or blue color cpbmth106rs. Before attaching the mask, aim your lens or telescope at a bright star and manually adjust the focus of your lens or telescope until it looks close to focused. Im running the 32bit version on a netbook, canon 300d camera and. 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.
How to make and use a bahtinov mask lonewolf online. My opinion is that bahtinov mask is the easiest to use in amateur astrophotography, it gives the most noticeable indication of small errors. Adjust the telescopes focus so that the central spike appears directly between the other two. 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 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. Unlike autofocus and star measuring software tools, this old school method. Description 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. Farpoint fp410 bahtinov focus mask celestron 8in sct.
Bahtinov focus mask for celestron 11 sct with fastar or hyperstar ready, fp412h 4. I am able to move the focuser using the button rightleft. 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 model generator allowed for the size of the mask to be adjusted according to the measurements of my own telescope.
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. I am using a system that understands and speaks the robofocus protocol. In order to get accurate calculations you have to enter the pixel. There are many methods, software and devices on the market but the bahtinov mask is the least. Although masks have long been used as focusing aids, the distinctive pattern was invented by russian amateur astrophotographer pavel bahtinov russian.
As long as the mask slots are not damaged, the mask should continue to perform well over time. It is very easy to use and will result in obtaining precise focus with a camera lens. Farpoint bahtinov masks are by far, the easiest, fastest and most consistent manual focusing aid available to the amateur astrophotographer. Best focus is reached when the middle spike is centered between the other two spikes. Previously ive just used a bahtinov mask to get focus with dslr dso imaging and the canon utilities capture software imaging. For astrophotography, a digital image can be analyzed by software to locate the alignment of the spikes to subpixel resolution.
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. The bahtinov mask achieves perfect focus in seconds. When i started astrophotography i used the hartmann mask with two circular holes for focusing, but i was never 100% sure if i. A bahtinov mask is a focusing aid for astronomy in general, and astrophotography in particular. Flymesh bahtinov mask diy astronomer stargazers lounge. 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.
When precize focus is achieved the pattern becomes symmetrical. Mar, 2016 the bahtinov mask is a device used to focus small astronomical telescopes accurately. Orion 40012 228273mm id pinpoint telescope focusing mask 4. The bahtinov mask is a great tool for astrophotography and modifying focus. Designing a mask using drawing, design, or cad software can be challenging, as the specifics of the mask change for each telescope based on aperture, focal. Dec 06, 2014 one thing ive seen with all these focusing methods is the need to get fairly close to focus before they work. 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.
Star image produced by bahtinov focusing mask at different focus positions. Two programs which offer softwarebased bahtinov assistance are niels noordhoeks bathinov. How to focus your camera for astrophotography easyto. Precise focusing of telescopes and astrographs is critical to. The bahtinov mask is a very elegant solution to one of the biggest problems that besets the deep sky astrophotographer focus. Farpoint fp401 bahtinov focus mask for telescopes with dew shield or front end diameter from 3. It allows achieving precise focus using a bahtinov mask making subpixel analysis of the spikes. Jun 23, 2017 the bahtinov mask is a widely used tool that cleverly uses diffraction as a focusing aid. The bahtinov mask is a device used to focus small astronomical telescopes accurately. 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.
The focus error was 300 microns, and the distance between the x. The bahtinov mask is a device used to accurately focus astronomical telescopes. Farpoint bahtinov focus mask for 58 mm dslr filter threads. A bahtinov mask is a musthave for every astrophotographer. Here is a link to a forum that talks about a new software program that will aid in getting the best focus using a bahtinov mask. Farpoint bahtinov focusing mask for celestron 8 sct. Lightweight, precision cnc cut, non flexing and with adjustable rubber tabs.
Improve your astrophotography focus with a bahtinov mask. One of the biggest challenges of astrophotography is making sure images are in focus. Even the smallest possible deviation from perfect focus noticeably degrades image quality when zoomed in to 100%. Also, a hartmann mask doesnt provide the precision of the spikea. Farpoint manufactures this lifesaving astrophotography tool out of virtually indestructable abs plastic and comes in two major types and in a range of sizes. New innovative bahtinov mask cover patented for wo flt2. They are named after paul bahtinov, who developed the first designs. Apt bahtinov aid focus problems discussions software. They are an inexpensive tool which will allow you to achieve pinsharp levels of focus, saving you time and improving your work. Bahtinov mask the easiest way to achieve sharp focus. I use the bahtinov grabber software with sgpro on a monitor for very accurate focusing. Most astrophotographers do their initial focus using a bahtinov mask to perform the initial focus. 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.
Use the star diffraction pattern created by a bahtinov mask to reach focus. It consists of a disk made of opaque material fitted over the telescope objective with slots cut out in a specific pattern devised by. Two of them form an x shape, and another spike crosses it, forming a shape. The mask will produce six long angled diffraction spikes on the star. Each section of parallel slits is orientated at a slightly different angle, giving three different. The bahtinov mask gets focus as good as can be achieved with this lens. You should use adobe pdf or a similar software for printing. Which focus method do you prefer with nonlive view camera, bahtinov focus mask or software metric fwhmhfd, and why. The bahtinov mask makes it easy to focus your dslr camera, ccd camera, or webcam when imaging the night sky. The bahtinov mask the sky at night in digital images. Farpoint bahtinov focus mask celestron 11 hyperstar opt.
It requires the capability to acquire 640x480 images. A bahtinov mask creates diffraction spikes visible to the viewer, with each direction of slots in the mask corresponding to a spike. I have used the bahtinov mask feature and byes fwhm. 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 bahtinov mask was invented by russian amateur astrophotographer pavel bahtinov in 2005. Precise focusing of telescopes and astrographs is critical to performing astrophotography. Relativetothehartmannmask,the diffraction pattern created by the bahtinov mask allows for much more precise focus. The method is simple, very intuitive, and the device has universally been named after the inventor. Bahtinov mask focus software utility beginning and intermediate. Farpoint bahtinov telescope focusing mask for celestron 8 sct telescopes dropin focusing mask for 8 scts schmidt cassegrain telescopes. 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. Measure your diameter from the end of the tube or dew shield.
Im running the 32bit version on a netbook, canon 300d camera and dslrfocus software for image capture. Fine focus and bahtinov masks ask craig stark labs. There are many methods, software and devices on the market but the bahtinov mask is the least expensive and is a. The bahtinov aid uses licensed technology developed by neils noordhoek the very same technology built into the famous bahtinov grabber. Auto focus software can significantly improve image focus. Basic and advanced tips for getting the most out of this popular. Gosky bahtinov focusing mask for for telescopes dew shield or front end diameter from 115165mm 4. This farpoint bahtinov mask fits telescopes with outside diameters of between 5. Focusing using bahtinov mask main sequence software. Bahtinov mask created by 3d printing astronomy notebook. 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. Once you gain experience with this device you can even understand which way to turn. I find myself launching byeos for an initial slew to a bright star, grab focus. Astromania bahtinov mask focusing mask for telescopes.
Adjustable bahtinov focus mask for small telescopes. What i see in the image when im a long way away from focus is a collection of circles or doughnuts. These are not generic masks, each mask is tuned to the telescopes focal ratio for the very best performance. Sep 07, 2016 the mask will produce six long angled diffraction spikes on the star.
Also when the problem occurs the mask angle is also shown incorrectly. How to make bahtinov mask, pdf templates deepsky watch. This mask attaches to the front of the scopes objective lens to show the astronomer how to precisely focus their telescope. Jun 30, 2017 previously ive just used a bahtinov mask to get focus with dslr dso imaging and the canon utilities capture software imaging. A bahtinov mask can help you achieve a sharp focus for your. Farpoint bahtinov focus mask celestron 11 hyperstar this bahtinov focus mask is designed for the celestron c11 schmidtcassegrain telescope, with hyperstar. 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. Its usefulness is diminished with shorter focal lengths. The bahtinov mask has become the preferred method of focusing a telescope, either visually or when imaging with a ccd camera, dslr or webcam. 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. 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.
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. Pavel bahtinov, a russian amateur telescope maker and astronomer, created this simple, very intuitive method and the device has universally been named after him. One thing ive seen with all these focusing methods is the need to get fairly close to focus before they work. Bahtinov mask focusing feature backyardeos otelescope. The batinov mask consists of three separate grids that produce three angled diffraction spikes when the telescope is pointed at a bright star. Meoptex bahtinov mask focusing mask for telescopes for outer diameter from 105mm150mm 2. A demonstration of using the bahtinov grabber software in conjunction with a bahtinov mask to precisely focus an imaging camera.
This snapin bahtinov focus mask is designed for dslr camera lenses that have 58 mm filter threads. In each panel, im showing the star as viewed with top and without bottom the mask in place. Farpoint bahtinov focus mask for 58 mm dslr camera filter. 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. Bahtinov mask other focusing methods 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 william optics redcat 51 is one example, and i use this tool to focus my camera each and every time. Focusing tool for serious astrophotographers and those who care about their time and quality of astrophotos.
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. Bahtinov grabber goes 64 bit and 32 bit update niels. 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. 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. 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. This customizable design generates custom bahtinov masks, which are used to aid focusing telescopes during astrophotography. Aspikeaexample of the nowclassic bahtinov mask is shown in image1. The central spike moves left or right relative to the diagonal x spikes according to focus position. Farpoint bahtinov mask for refractors or newtonians with 5.
The other mask is designed to fit schmidt cassegrain telescopes. It produces a unique diffraction pattern, which makes it very easy to see when the telescope is precisely focused and takes the guesswork out of focusing. Bahtinov focus masks provide an ingenious way to easily focus your dslr camera, webcam or ccd camera for astrophotography. Bahtinov mask other focusing methods astronomy notebook. It was invented by russian amateur astrophotographer pavel bahtinov in 2005. The bahtinov focus technique is best suite for instruments with longer focal lengths. One mask is a general purpose mask designed to fit refractors and newtonian telescope. Designed by russian amateur telescope maker and astronomer pavel bahtinov, the meade instruments bahtinov focusing mask can be used to quickly and easily focus your telescope for all types of astrophotography with dslrs or imaging systems. Some of the telescopes i use for astrophotography include a builtin mask inside of the lens cap. Adjust the telescopes focus so that the central spike appears directly. I came across a video on youtube of a flymesh bahtinov, not focal length dependant has anyone ever tried this method before. The bahtinov mask is a variation on the hartmann mask which uses three separate grids. Of the two i have come to prefer the full width half maximum fwhm feature of bye.