Using Your Opticstar Camera - Opticstar 450CD series User Manual

Using your Opticstar Camera

Introduction
Your Opticstar video camera is a very versatile instrument and can be used in a
number of different ways, i.e.
• for observation through a telescope replacing the eye-piece/s
• for observation on a mount or tripod in conjunction with a C/CS lens
• in astrophotography for tracking purposes
Observing Through
Using you camera effectively involves a number of different steps including locating
a target, focusing and tracking the target assuming you have an equatorial mount or a
mount capable of tracking.
With the astro-camera attached and operational use the finder on your telescope to
locate your target. Set
Otherwise use the manual controls to keep the target centred in the finder's field of
view.
Now use the focuser on your telescope to bring the target into focus keeping a close
eye on the display attached to your astro-camera.
Observing With a Mounted Lens
This is more difficult to achieve as you do not have a finder to point to your target and
you will therefore need to use the arrangement as if it was a finder scope. To your
advantage a carefully selected lens att
field of view to assist the easy locating of night sky objects. Use your eye across the
length of the camera to roughly line up the camera with your intended target.
Such an arrangement is better suited for observing regions of the night sky, star
clusters, galaxies and to an extent the moon via the Zoom facility of your video
camera and a powerful zoom lens.
a Telescope
your telescope into tracki
ached to your camera will offer a wide enough
© Opticstar Ltd 2003, 2004
ng mode if you have this facility.
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