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ASTROMECHANICS
astromechanics.org
ASCOM Canon Lens Controller
Simple solution for external focus & iris drive
Device assembly and software using manual
This manual is related to ASCOM platform based usage
JULY/2020

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Summary of Contents for ASTROMECHANICS ASCOM Canon Lens Controller Mark II

  • Page 1 ASTROMECHANICS astromechanics.org ASCOM Canon Lens Controller Simple solution for external focus & iris drive Device assembly and software using manual This manual is related to ASCOM platform based usage JULY/2020...
  • Page 2 STEP 1: Device assembly Assembly process is easy. Choose your controller and use the links below: M42 x 0.75 mm adapter for APS-C camera  M54 x 0.75 mm adapter for APS-H / FF camera  Special adapter for SBIG STL series camera ...
  • Page 3 Also if you need drivers to use your controller with INDI based applications - you can download them here: https://indilib.org/devices/focusers/astromechanics-canon-lens-controller.html (Christian Liska, Austria). We are grateful to the developers of third-party drivers for the ASCOM Canon Lens Controller Mark II!
  • Page 4 STEP 3: Driver usage After installation is completed open your focusing software (Maxim DL, APT, SGP etc.) and choose the driver using standard ASCOM controls and dialog windows. Maxim DL based example is shown below. Observatory control window ASCOM Focuser Chooser window...
  • Page 5 Note: The installer contains two DLL libraries. Therefore, you can control two devices at the same time (Focuser1 and Focuser2). This can be useful when controlling two lenses (on the main and guide camera or on a color and monochrome camera). Choose ASCOM Lens Driver (Focuser1) or ASCOM Lens Driver (Focuser2) and click Properties.
  • Page 6 This can be done by editing lens.txt. Click on the highlighted link. Fast link to lens.txt Append new entry to the end of this file: specify lens name and enumerate all aperture values of your lens according the simple pattern. Be careful, syntax is important! Lens description in lens.txt Note: For zoom lenses with a different range of aperture values at different focus values (Canon EF-S...
  • Page 7 Note 2: Also you can prevent sending of aperture control commands. This function can help you to avoid software malfunction with some third-party lenses. We are aware of one such lens: Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG HSM Art. Focus control works and an attempt to send a command to control the iris leads to the driver freezing.
  • Page 8 Now you can use the driver for manual and auto focus procedures. Test the driver in manual mode, check focus movements and aperture control. Focus tab Note: All focus positions are relative. The driver will return 5000 after power up (USB connection) regardless of the real focus position.
  • Page 9 TROUBLESHOOTING: no focus or aperture control  Make sure you attach the lens correctly. Rotate the lens clockwise until it locks (you can hear a slight click). For adapter without a lock mechanism: turn the lens until it stops (the bayonet’s petal will prevent it from scrolling further than the correct position);...