How I focus my camera

Society Meeting

Thursday, 29th June 2023 (19:45 - 22:00)

Venue: Hybrid

Focusing an astronomy camera can be a bit different than focusing on a regular camera, but here are some tips to help:

1. Use live view: If your astronomy camera has a live view mode, use it to help focus your image. This allows you to see the image in real-time and adjust the focus as needed.

2. Use a Bahtinov mask: A Bahtinov mask is a tool that can help you achieve precise focus when photographing celestial objects. It works by creating a diffraction pattern around a bright star, which you can use to adjust the focus until the lines in the pattern are perfectly aligned. You can either purchase a Bahtinov mask or create your own using a template.

3. Use a focusing aid: Some astronomy cameras come with built-in focusing aids, such as a magnified view or a focus peaking feature. These tools can help you achieve precise focus and ensure that your image is sharp.

4. Take test shots: If you're having difficulty achieving focus, take a series of test shots and review them on your computer. This can help you determine whether the focus is too soft or too sharp, and make adjustments accordingly.

5. Be patient: Focusing an astronomy camera can take time and patience, especially if you're trying to photograph faint or distant objects. Take your time and experiment with different techniques until you find the method that works best for you.

Join online if you can't make the meeting room HERE 

Speaker: John Leach

After leaving South Grove Secondary Modern School in June 1968 I started work as a Research Chemist with the United Coke and Chemicals at Orgreave.

The company later became part of the British Steel Corporation group and was known as BSC Chemicals Division. During my time there I worked in a variety of subject areas including- Paint Research The formulation of industrial-type paints and emulsions using coal tar by-products Biological Effluent treatment creating laboratory simulation models of a biological treatment plant Specialised Polyester products A special polyester resin used to make "Sight glasses" for use in high altitude aircraft X-Ray and Microscopy including Photography The analysis of asbestos types found throughout BSC companies Analysis of Electrode coatings produced for the steel industry After redundancy in 1981 I worked as a chemist for Union Carbide UK, Sheffield on a fixed 3 1/2 year contract.

This post was centered around the Quality Assurance of graphite products used in the nuclear power sector. During this period I developed a computer programme on the BBC micro to carry out Permeability and Diffusivity calculations on nuclear grade graphite produced on-site and abroad. Little did I know at the time that Computing was to take over from Chemistry!

From 1985 to 2011 I worked for Sheffield Polytechnic (later to become Sheffield Hallam University) in the Computer Studies department as a Senior Technician, then as Principal Technician. During this period I worked mainly in software engineering, networking, and video conferencing. I also became an RVL - regular visiting lecturer teaching programming, rapid prototyping, and photo editing products to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. In 1999 I took time out from computing to study for a NEBOSH diploma in Health and Safety and became School Safety Manager. Restructuring in 2006 meant moving back to IT where I worked in Web Technologies until taking early retirement and voluntary redundancy in 2011 Interests Photography has always been a lifelong interest Food and good wine Music Long-distance walks and climbing .... in my early days! Mycology - the study of fungi I've been a volunteer with the National Trust for 17 years working initially at Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire and then Longshaw in Derbyshire. This involves public fungi forays and various ecological surveys. The Longshaw Fungi Survey team which I was part of were instrumental in stopping Network Rail from destroying an ancient woodland (Rough Wood) in Derbyshire and the development of a major motorway service area at Smithy Wood near Thorpe Hesley near Rotherham.