Interesting tools in NINA - #3 Optimal exposure calulator

NINA is a platform for automating your astrophotography sessions on a windows PC. The suite has many aspects and comes with quite a lot of features, so in this video, we'll be checking out one of these tools: The optimum exposure calculator tool (by Stefan Berg) - a calculation tool to optimize your exposure time right before you start your astrophotography session. Based on read and thermal noise, it recommends you the best exposure time based on your conditions for your DSLR or Astrocam.
I want to keep those quick tip videos rather short and informative, so you get a good grasp on how to use them if you are still unfamiliar with the many tools of NINA.
If you enjoyed this video, why not check out my video about my first impressions of NINA, coming from the Astroberry install:
kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYWklZyQbqp9hq8
Ultimate smart telescope playlist:
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My 2nd channel Chrizzly Music: kzbin.info/door/ZL8...
#Astrophotography #NINA #Focus

[@kevinburke8608]

I believe it's full well capacity at a specific gain, same with noise. Both can be read from a graph or a Sharpcap sensor analysis.

[@JethroXP]

Version 2 is out of beta and officially released so this is now available in the current released version.

[@jackmanatee3162]

Thanks for creating this vid. I was worried I was doing something wrong as my calculator recommended a 14 second exposure. Now I realize this was because of an almost full moon nearby. 😀

[@JethroXP]

I use this and was surprised at the improvement it’s made for me. I used to take 300s subs, but this usually recommends between 30-120s depending on target, sky conditions, and filter. I used to have issues with bloated stars, but not anymore. I recommend using the SharpCap sensor analysis so that you get measurements for your specific camera vs. using specified target values from the manufactures website.

[@ChrizzlyUniverse]

Thanks for the comment(s)! Did you use the paid option for the SharpCap-Analysis? Clear skies!

[@JethroXP]

@@ChrizzlyUniverse I do have the paid license for SharpCap. You don't need the license to run it, just to save the values. So if you use the free version you can just write down the values and use those for NINA plug-in, but having the file saved and just pointing NINA to it is certainly simpler.

[@vzr314]

You should enter 4096 for full well because your camera have 12bit ADC and that's what NINA only care about (if you are using unity gain which you should)

[@jackmanatee3162]

Do you think we will see the calculator incorporated into the sequencing process? Maybe an option to perform a calculation and inserting the time after changing filters. Tonight I was able to perform 15 minute exposers with a red filter. That was a big WOW for me.

[@ChrizzlyUniverse]

I'm not too deeply involved in the N.I.N.A development, but I could imagine this becoming part of the advanced sequencer at some point, yes. But unfortunately I cant give you a clear answer there. Glad you could get good use out of this tool 👍🏻

[@jesuschrist2284]

Will give this a go, but ill be unhappy if it tells me 5sec ;)

[@johnsmith-rd9rr]

This calculator plugin doesnt work

[@rafaberrios8142]

What filter?

[@ChrizzlyUniverse]

Well, if you photograph in mono then your LRGB filters or your narrowband filters. When photographing with a filter, your exposure time should be adapted according to your filter (i.e. narrowband filters requiring longer exposures). And thats what you can choose in NINA, to switch to the filter in the filterwheel. Clear skies!