ASIAir Plus - DSLR Workflow

[@billkonkel6325]

You can use a slightly longer dovetail bar and attach the guide scope underneath at the front of the bar. This would fix some of the balance issues and would be a simpler attachment option.

[@BernardSolomon]

Yup, this is what I did too.

[@NebulaLuna]

That is what I ended up doing

[@SuperibyP]

Same, I ended up doing this. I kept my L bracket in the end anyway in case I needed to balance the weight on the Dec axis.

[@mikehardy8247]

That's how I mount my asiair mini. I'd like to mount the guidescope as well, but until a better solution presents itself, I'll mount it to the half cage as Peter does.

[@dschenk952]

Thank you so much for your contributions, Peter.

[@saurabhbhide4620]

Great video Peter! This is exactly how I am planning to advance in DSO astro. I already own basic MW setup with Canon 70D and planning to buy AM5 and Asiair.. Good to know that 70D is also compatible!!

[@Ashinperth]

Can you not mount it to the camera flash point?

[@sp32793]

Thank you very much for this video! One quick question: in your opinion, does the automatic recording of flat frames work? (auto exposure time)

[@johnrsims43]

Peter, is there a reason you do not fasten your guide scope the top plate of the AM5? There are two drilled holes that I think would take a clamp. You seem to have them filled with two hex top screws.

[@cherylwilcox9648]

Really appreciate all you've unknowingly done to help me image since getting the ASIAIR Plus for Christmas. You mentioned the amount of vignetting you got after your first image being a concern, but you didn't go back and talk about it after talking about dithering taking place after that first image. Is there anything you can do about that? Sounds like you really like the AM5 mount. I use a Redcat 51 with my Nikon Z6ii but have an old Celestron go-to mount. Really thinking about the AM5.

[@callicratesevlogemenos]

Very nice video man! Thank you! Do you stop the star tracker too when you pause to refocus? And at what point do you turn on star tracker? right after you finish polar alignment or when you start autoguiding?

[@tma2001]

couldn't you just attach the guide scope to the DLSR horse shoe with an adapter usually used to screw on mics, led lights etc ?

[@AstroRoof]

Hi Peter ... I have a Nikon D7500 .. I have attached ASI AIR through a Shutter release cable N3 ... But ASI AIR app is not showing this model... Am I doing anything wrong ? or need any different type cable for ASIRAIR to Camera ?

[@anuranjan0101]

Did u try connecting the dslr to asir by the usb cable for camera that came with dslr

[@AstroRoof]

@@anuranjan0101 with asiair no usb cable come... Though I ultimately connect it through microusb cable

[@anuranjan0101]

I was talking about computer cable that came with camera

[@jeroenfrijhoff8392]

Nice video! When it comes to attaching guiding gear, I’ve seen other using a longer dovetail, and mounting the guide-cam and scope at the front of the dovetail on the bottom end. Works quite well.

[@sammadonline]

Thank you so much for this video tutorial. You can mount the guide camera on the flash port. There are many mounting accessories available for the flash port

[@hobbeeswe7472]

My goto video for astrophotography and buying my gear, thanks, excellent video!! I have a very frustrating issue/question I cant figure it out by thinking :) or finding the answer online. Hoping you can help me! Using a Sky-Watcher Adventure GTI, ASIAIR Plus, ASI 120MM+ SvBony 165 guiding scope, Canon EOS DSLR and a 50 mm lens I assume polar alignment is done keeping the camera lens in parallel with the mount head (true?). BUT when slewing the mount to point south to catch the Milky Way, I want to reframe the image (rotate camera frame). Can I then simply rotate the camera+lens using a ball joint or will this mess the whole setup? Please help...

[@markkuklinski9969]

Hi Peter, great instructions as always... I just got out to do my first imaging session last night. I am using an Asiair plus with my DSLR (not mod) and a Skywatcher GTI mount. Wow what a learning curve. I was able to capture 70 light frames of the North America Nebula. I also got my darks done. This morning I tried to capture the Bias and Flats. The Bias were easy but not so much for the Flats. When I try to capture the flats using the Asiair, I get an error telling me I need to adjust the gain/ISO or decrease the level of my light source. Have you had any experience with this? Thanks Mark

[@rob2323]

Hmm I never knew the smart phone could automatically add the latitude & longitude. Ive always used a 3rd party app to add the info in which is difficult in cold weather. So how is it set up to do automatically? Does the phone need to be plugged into the asiair usb port?

[@drandrewclarke]

just to say that the live view on Nikon does not work when USB connected

[@nrmakan1]

why is it that my ASIair PLus does not recognize my guide camera ASI120mm with the two attached. Tried multiple cables to no avail.

[@arpadjakab-peter5431]

Hi! That is really awesome! I am trying the same settings on my asiair mini and nikon d3300 in bulb mode but I am limited on 30s subs, do you know how could I take 120s subs? I am clearly missig something

[@BernardSolomon]

Won’t a dew heater do for counteracting the effect of cold on the focusing?

[@sandaruwanmilan9535]

Thanks lot.... can i use canon mirrolus camara for Asi air box

[@samuel.e.glover]

I was surprised you did not simply use the tools and let the system tell you the star size instead of being qualitative. Clear Skies.

[@petermoy7934]

Thank you for this. I'm a Nikon user with a 500mm (800mm coming soon) looking to get further into astro imaging with the ASI ecosystem. I had no idea how the ASIAir would work with a camera like a Z6. Now I do!

[@englishfires6728]

Hi Pete, nice to see you posting this. Be careful about placing the Asiair on the side of AM5. ZWO has issued a warning not to do that due to possible cable snags and antenna bending for AA+. They have updated AM5 user manual yo reflect this as well.

[@davelaw2321]

I followed your workflow (although I have a Sony A7IV) and I keep getting "Exposure Failure" when trying to take an image. Ive tried different USB cables, different USB ports on the ASIAIR...any other tips?

[@davidletz9123]

So..once you have selected Lights and Calibration images in Autorun, and start the whole process, does the ASI Air give you time to put on the lens cap after all lights have been done (assuming you have scheduled your darks to run after light frames)? How about flats? In other words, does the ASI Air have a pause between the different types of calibration frames so one can adjust things?

[@choppermontana8212]

Which camera port are you plugging the cord into? Remote Control Terminal? Mic? AV and USB? HDMI?

[@refetastro]

Great video My 20 Years old canon 20Da I’m not on the list but I do have canon 1100d that is on the list can I use 1100d controlling the focus and just switch camera for shooting

[@Upuauta]

Regarding the cable length issues - wouldn´t it be easier to mount the ASIAIR onto the rotating part of the setup? To the telescope/camera or the rotating part of the mount? Then only the power cable for the ASIAIR needs to be long enough.

[@nwcs2]

With the ASIAir using the USB port on the Nikon, does it also power the Nikon?

[@sailingfromswitzerland]

I have a Nikon D600 and the mini-USB cable that allows the ASIAir to control the camera does NOT also power it. Instead, I have one of those "dummy" batteries with a USB cable on it, and I attach that to 1 of the 4 available 12V power outputs on the side of the ASIAir to power my camera throughout the night.

[@nwcs2]

@@sailingfromswitzerland Thank you! Just what I needed to know!

[@rockman2758]

Agena Astro has a triple finderscope mounting bracket. Mounts where the Air Plus mounts and provides three dovetail clamps. #: OFIN-AG-TRIBRACKET works great and is inexpensive. I have a Sony, so no joy. Mounted two finderscopes and the Air Plus.

[@NJ_Galactic]

The ASIAIR gives me issues with my Z7 even though they state it is tested. I cannot change the ISO other than 400 and it really sucks that such an expensive device limits my camera this much.

[@KevinRudd-w8s]

I have had no end of trouble with USB cables. It's really weird a cable that works when connecting to a Laptop doesn't when connected to an ASIAir . Cables that work on an Eagle don't work with anything else, others only work when connected via a mini hub. Bottom line, always have an assortment of USB cables to hand!. This is a great tutorial, I've just bought the ASIAir Mini for controlling my Canon 600D (Rebel Ti3?) With a Samyang/Rokinon 135 f2 and Skywatcher S.A. GTi mount with the same guiding set up as yourself so this has been very helpful. Thank you. Currently I have rigged up a remotely operated focuser but it is not compatible with the mini ( or any other control software ) but it does prevent shake when focusing.

[@keiththompson7291]

Hi Peter I have recently bought a Aisair plus, I'm using a DSLR with a Sky watcher F5 200p Newtonian on a skywatcher Heq5 goto mount. I have watched your videos and I'm still a little confused as to when to sync the mount. Great videos by the way. Regards Keith Thompson England

[@michaelogle638]

Peter: How did you get from 60 deg from the NP to while adjusting the Alt/Az screws to the NP after achieving PA in the video (approx 12:20 in the video)? Did you use a hand controller to return to the "home" position?

[@pruthuvanara1243]

How does your dslr take more then 30" Shutter speed ?? 🤔

[@arpadjakab-peter5431]

I have the same question! But my dslr takes more then 30s subs in bulb mode, but on asiair app I am limited to 30s subs, and I don't know why

[@refetastro]

The best tutorial Questions When do you y Use bin 2-3-4?

[@drrobertgoldman1806]

Hi Peter, do you know whether the new iOptron Sky Hunter works with the ASIair plus (with a dslr)?

[@mjsweeps]

This was such a great video Peter! Thank You so much, just what I was looking for!

[@sailingfromswitzerland]

Hi Peter. Do you have a video explaining how to decide the optimum exposure time for your lights? I heard that it you go too long, then some of the star colors get washed out (to white) and you have a higher potential of bloating your stars. And, conversely, if you go too short, then of course you risk clipping the blacks. I also understand it really depends on the amount of light pollution, and I imagine a whole host of other variables, like your aperture setting (DLSR), etc. By the way, speaking of aperture, I've noticed on my Tamron 150-600mm that if I shoot 600mm at f6.3, I get coma (egg-shaped stars) and I need to go to f9 to get pin-point sharp stars. That means I have to shoot much longer, but I prefer sharp stars. Soon I'll upgrade to a dedicated ZWO astro-camera and a real telescope (as opposed to the Tamron 150-600mm).

[@wdhale14094]

Is a guide camera required when using this setup? I want to use the same setup but without a guide camera

[@philweight3480]

Is there not a way to connect the guider to the camera's hotshoe mount on the top of the camera - that would be perfectly centred?

[@yervantparnagian5999]

I used my Air+ for the first time the other night following this tutorial and I had great success. Thanks for making this video.

[@MrJomoboy]

This is the best how to use Asiair video I've seen yet. I wished I watched it properly before heading out for the first time last night.

[@Aerostar509]

Good job showing your workflow. I would love to see a video on the alternate polar alignment routine.

[@dougiesmart1623]

Great video there. Thanks very much for making it 😊

[@rvoykin]

For those curious the Z7ii Nikon works great. It shows untested but I alternate it with my 2600mc pro for full frame and it’s good to go

[@NJ_Galactic]

My Z7 and ASIRAIR plus can't go above iso 400. Have you run into this issue?

[@Orozco_PNW]

Thanks for your detailed instructions here Peter! I live in Sequim, wish our winters weren't so overcast 😭😭 Luckily this weekend was fairly clear for shooting C/2022 E3, while shooting it early Sunday, I actually decided to bite the bullet and order the AM5 and upgrade from my Star-Adventurer

[@mikehardy8247]

I'm waffling on going from SW SA GTI to AM5. Hmmm?

[@oaritaphotography6281]

Hola Peter Where can I find that mount that is so better from the StarAdventure,I want to invest in a tracking kit and a mount but I think the most difficult thing will be how to set it up Thank you for your videos I really learned a lot

[@BasheZor]

ZWO AM5, which should be better than the Star Adventure considering it's about 6x the price :)

[@CM-2000]

Hello Peter, thank you very much for your very informative video and your good tips. I have a Nikon D750 and I can't connect it to the ASIAir Plus. The AA+ has a DSLR input (2mm jack 3Pol) and I use a corresponding cable on the accessory input of the camera. But it does not appear in the main camera setting of the AA+. Can you help me? Thank you Helmut

[@RobertKarlBerta]

If it is like my D800 there is a usb 3.0 cable from the Nikon to the asiair usb 3,0 port. That cable came with my camera. The other port on the camera you mentioned isn't used.

[@CM-2000]

@@RobertKarlBerta Thank´s a lot. It is running ;-)

[@mariospenard5125]

Very interesting information

[@GediAstro]

Nice one! Have you ever experienced that the preview isn't updated on autorun? I have a huge problem with that in my workflow.

[@mikehardy8247]

Just last night when doing calibration frames, I saw that the light frames (Andromeda) stayed on the screen! I know I had the dust cap on etc.? Never happened with m8 OTA.

[@GediAstro]

@@mikehardy8247 Yeah, just use the USB2 port and you’ll be fine :) learned it the hard way

[@mikehardy8247]

@@GediAstro c Confused, I have the asiair USB 2 (mini) plugged into the DSLR. Not the shutter cable.

[@mikehardy8247]

I never have this with asi 533MC pro and asiair +