I regularly just generate one set of flats for each filter and use for months - currently using a set i took in May (now Sept). Just be scrupulous with airblowing dust off any optics that get changed or moved (camera, filter, reducer, main corrector etc). I have a set of markers to ensure my set up is always realigned to my scope in the correct orientation. This together with a library for darks and bias means i rarely do calibration set ups… I also just use the “live” auto generate for all these calibrations 😊
It’s good if you like the results. But normal method is to take flats just before live stack or right after normal imaging. In the end, if the image is only for personal use and enjoyment, and you get that, all is good 👍🏼. Cheers!!
Always thought darks, biases, flats are only be done after each session. Since now it has been proven that it can be done before each session, I can perform this procedure in my room to save time. 😄
Sure you can. In fact, you can build a Darks library and it is good for several weeks or even months. But flats must be taken after each session. Thanks for watching! CS!
Excellent video. Very, very helpful. Thank you for going to all the trouble to make this. New sub. BTW, do you have a video about that tablet-holder you came up with, for shooting flats?
Thanks! I’m glad the video is helpful and you liked it. Honestly, I don’t have any special tablet holder. The one you see in video is a simple iPad case from Amazon. Cheers!!!
I think I have been under the impression that the FLATS had to be the same exposure as lights. That is too time consuming. I am going to duplicate your settings tonight and image M101 to see what I get. I really like the format of text overlayed on your video. I can pause and review each step. The time you spent creating this will help many starting out with ASIAIR boxes. ZWO should send you a free one every time a new version is released, in my opinion. If they had to hire out for a video production, this would easily be ten grand. While you are waiting by your mailbox for the free stuff.... know that we amateurs around the globe are putting your skills to use. Thanks and good wishes!
Thanks for watching! I am glad that the video is helpful and you liked it. No comments about ZWO or ASIAIR. It's just that I started my journey with this simple and easy-to-use device and I liked it. All the stuff, including ASIAIR, is purchased by me and there are no sponsors or affiliates. But, I appreciate your kind thoughts and words. Clear Skies!
I’ve learned a lot from your great videos here, thanks for sharing! Is there a way of working out the optimum amount of gain and length of exposure? I’ve got the asi533mc pro also and it’s a super camera. Kind regards Paul
Thanks for your kind comments. I’m glad the videos are helpful. For your specific question, I would recommend that you check tech specs of ASI533MC Pro on ZWO website. The Gain is 100 given there. But it would be a good idea to double check. Cheers!!
Thanks very much for this informative video! My question is a bit offtopic, but I see your settings for guiding is "way off" the defaults. As my guiding needs improvement I would very much like to hear your opinion/reason for your spesific settings. I'm running an iOptron CEM70 with TS Optics 347/71 scope, SW Evoguide/Asi120mm mini and EAF. Camera Asi2600mc. I'm new to guiding, and still use defaults on the AA+.
Thanks for watching! I’m glad that the video is useful. Reg my guiding settings in AA, they are specific to my AVX Mount. You might want to check other videos on RUclips or seek information in forums like cloudy nights.com reg AA settings for the iOptron model you have. Thanks again. CS!
Nice job! I am new to ZWO and have a question. How do you tell AAP to create master darks, flats, and bias? I see how you used them and how to do them, but don't understand how to set AAP to create the Masters. Thank You and Clear Sky's
Thanks! I’m glad that the video is helpful. Taking calibration frames with ASIAIR is super easy. Just select the required frames and follow the prompts. I would suggest that you watch some detailed video on how to set the timings for these frames. Cheers!!
I have learned almost everything I needed from this video, with the exception of the histogram adjustments you did. Are the adjusted during the live stack process? Do they affect the final image? Can you just elaborate a bit on the adjustments you did during this video, as there were no captions offered. Thank you for all the time you put into this youtube. Regards, Nicholas
Thanks for your kind words! I'm glad that the video is helpful. Reg. Histogram adjustments, they are only for the stacked image displayed on your phone/tablet. You can move the left and right sliders as you wish until you are satisfied with the colour/contrast of displayed image. This does not affect the stacked image. If you have selected 'Save Every Frame...' option, you can always stack them later either on ASIAIR itself or on your computer and refine the stacked image again. Hope this is helpful. Clear Skies!
Excellent Video - very helpful. Thinking of going down the ZWO rabbit hole. I’ve been using robotic scopes and have all the equipment for a 533mcpro, asiair pro, etc. does a guide scope make a big difference? Can i start without one?
Thanks for your comment! Yes, you can start without a guide scope. Just keep the exposures time low, such as 30sec each and you should be fine 😊. Cheers!!
@JeffFishman. If you need them, do take the calibration frames before starting the imaging session, except the flat frames. These are usually taken right after the imaging session. Cheers!!
In the live stacking function I’m getting a fault after running my calibration frames. It says bias frames don’t match light frames. Any idea what the problem is? Thanks for your videos, they help me very much.
Thanks! I’m glad that the video is helpful. For the error you are getting, it’s difficult to say anything without the details of your calibration frame settings. Try changing them and then check…Cheers!!
Great video, Pawan! One question. Did you use both L-extreme and L-Pro filters at the same time for this imaging? I wasn’t sure if you could stack 2 filters in the imaging setup. Thanks for not chatting about useless stuff and showing your dog running around. 😂
Thank you for watching and your kind words! Much appreciated. No, I don’t use two filters stacked together for any of my imaging sessions. No idea what would be the result if it’s done, except that the idea may spoil a whole nights imaging time. Cheers!!
Beautiful video! I am now starting to use the asiair live stacking but I have problems with the rain noise, I think it is related to the lack of dithering ... have you also had similar problems?
Something I'm missing the calibration frames. I see where you can set the number and exposure for all three, but how did you actually take them? If you set all three, what order are they taken in? You skipped that part.
Thanks for watching! I usually take the calibration frames in Live mode right before start of Live Stacking. While Darks can be used for several weeks, I take the flats and biases just before the live stacking. It does not take much time since the duration of each frame is in milliseconds. You can set the time for flats, darks and biases in Live mode itself.These frames are stored on ASIAIR itself. Hope this helps. Clear Skies!!
@@AstroCrescent Appreciate the response but that didn't answer my question. Once you set the parameters, how do you command ASI Air to take them? What order are they taken (so I can figure out when to put the lens cap or light source on)? Is there a pause between cal frame types to change configuration?
@@AstroCrescentNot asking the order I need to take them in. What order does ASI take them in. I need to know when to put on my light source (flats) or lens cap (darks/biases), right?
How’s the avx mount been holding up for you I’ve been thinking of getting one since everywhere I look the skywatcher heq-6r and we-5 mounts are sold out
AVX a nice beginner level mount. I have had no issues with it so far. It’s been over an year and this is the only mount I have. It is very similar to HEQ-5 in specs. Thanks for watching. CS!
Hello, I have some old viewing equipment. And am having great difficulty setting it all up Installing, configuration, device scripting, etc. I do not wish to quite. Im to bull headed. Will anyone help?
Hi David. Thanks for watching. I am sure someone will come forward to help you out. It is usually good to contact the supplier of astro equipment in your area. Give it a try. CS!
Nice video. Your method of giving subtitles is great! No talking, just to the point. CS!
Thanks! Glad you liked it! Thanks again for your support. CS!
Very helpful. Thanks and clear skies
Thanks! I'm glad that the video is helpful. CS!
I regularly just generate one set of flats for each filter and use for months - currently using a set i took in May (now Sept). Just be scrupulous with airblowing dust off any optics that get changed or moved (camera, filter, reducer, main corrector etc). I have a set of markers to ensure my set up is always realigned to my scope in the correct orientation. This together with a library for darks and bias means i rarely do calibration set ups… I also just use the “live” auto generate for all these calibrations 😊
It’s good if you like the results. But normal method is to take flats just before live stack or right after normal imaging. In the end, if the image is only for personal use and enjoyment, and you get that, all is good 👍🏼. Cheers!!
excellent i have finished setting up the obsevatory and bringing out the asiair for the fist time 👊👍 great work
Thanks, Frack! I'm glad you liked it. Enjoy your new observatory. ASIAIR would be a fun to use. CS!
Always thought darks, biases, flats are only be done after each session. Since now it has been proven that it can be done before each session, I can perform this procedure in my room to save time. 😄
Sure you can. In fact, you can build a Darks library and it is good for several weeks or even months. But flats must be taken after each session. Thanks for watching! CS!
Great demo of the live stacking feature.
Thanks, Logan. Glad that you liked it. CS!
Thank you Pawan for taking the time to put this together.
Beautiful images.
Thanks Davey! I’m glad you liked the video. CS!
Very nice walkthrough again! cs
Thanks, Tully. Glad that you liked it. CS!
Beautiful Photos Pawan!!
Thank you, Avanteesh! Cheers!
Very helpful video. I am a newbie and this really helped me a lot.
Thanks! I’m glad that the video is helpful. CS!
Excellent video. Very, very helpful. Thank you for going to all the trouble to make this. New sub. BTW, do you have a video about that tablet-holder you came up with, for shooting flats?
Thanks! I’m glad the video is helpful and you liked it.
Honestly, I don’t have any special tablet holder. The one you see in video is a simple iPad case from Amazon. Cheers!!!
Beautiful work sir. I do basically the same thing as you. I love using the Live feature for EAA.
Thank you, Michael! I'm glad you liked it. CS!
very helpful!
Thanks! Glad it was helpful!
I think I have been under the impression that the FLATS had to be the same exposure as lights. That is too time consuming. I am going to duplicate your settings tonight and image M101 to see what I get. I really like the format of text overlayed on your video. I can pause and review each step. The time you spent creating this will help many starting out with ASIAIR boxes. ZWO should send you a free one every time a new version is released, in my opinion. If they had to hire out for a video production, this would easily be ten grand.
While you are waiting by your mailbox for the free stuff.... know that we amateurs around the globe are putting your skills to use. Thanks and good wishes!
Thanks for watching! I am glad that the video is helpful and you liked it.
No comments about ZWO or ASIAIR. It's just that I started my journey with this simple and easy-to-use device and I liked it.
All the stuff, including ASIAIR, is purchased by me and there are no sponsors or affiliates. But, I appreciate your kind thoughts and words.
Clear Skies!
I’ve learned a lot from your great videos here, thanks for sharing! Is there a way of working out the optimum amount of gain and length of exposure? I’ve got the asi533mc pro also and it’s a super camera. Kind regards Paul
Thanks for your kind comments. I’m glad the videos are helpful. For your specific question, I would recommend that you check tech specs of ASI533MC Pro on ZWO website. The Gain is 100 given there. But it would be a good idea to double check. Cheers!!
Thanks very much for this informative video!
My question is a bit offtopic, but I see your settings for guiding is "way off" the defaults. As my guiding needs improvement I would very much like to hear your opinion/reason for your spesific settings.
I'm running an iOptron CEM70 with TS Optics 347/71 scope, SW Evoguide/Asi120mm mini and EAF. Camera Asi2600mc. I'm new to guiding, and still use defaults on the AA+.
Thanks for watching! I’m glad that the video is useful.
Reg my guiding settings in AA, they are specific to my AVX Mount.
You might want to check other videos on RUclips or seek information in forums like cloudy nights.com reg AA settings for the iOptron model you have.
Thanks again. CS!
Thank you for sharing! Were you in a light polluted area?
Thanks. I’m glad you liked the video. Yes, I’m in Bortle 8/9 location. Cheers!!
Nice job! I am new to ZWO and have a question. How do you tell AAP to create master darks, flats, and bias? I see how you used them and how to do them, but don't understand how to set AAP to create the Masters. Thank You and Clear Sky's
Thanks! I’m glad that the video is helpful. Taking calibration frames with ASIAIR is super easy. Just select the required frames and follow the prompts. I would suggest that you watch some detailed video on how to set the timings for these frames. Cheers!!
I have learned almost everything I needed from this video, with the exception of the histogram adjustments you did. Are the adjusted during the live stack process? Do they affect the final image? Can you just elaborate a bit on the adjustments you did during this video, as there were no captions offered. Thank you for all the time you put into this youtube. Regards, Nicholas
Thanks for your kind words! I'm glad that the video is helpful. Reg. Histogram adjustments, they are only for the stacked image displayed on your phone/tablet. You can move the left and right sliders as you wish until you are satisfied with the colour/contrast of displayed image. This does not affect the stacked image. If you have selected 'Save Every Frame...' option, you can always stack them later either on ASIAIR itself or on your computer and refine the stacked image again. Hope this is helpful. Clear Skies!
Excellent Video - very helpful.
Thinking of going down the ZWO rabbit hole. I’ve been using robotic scopes and have all the equipment for a 533mcpro, asiair pro, etc. does a guide scope make a big difference? Can i start without one?
Thanks for your comment! Yes, you can start without a guide scope. Just keep the exposures time low, such as 30sec each and you should be fine 😊. Cheers!!
bought the 2600mc duo with built in guiding. watched your video again. do you need to take calibration frames BEFORe Live Stacking?
@JeffFishman. If you need them, do take the calibration frames before starting the imaging session, except the flat frames. These are usually taken right after the imaging session. Cheers!!
In the live stacking function I’m getting a fault after running my calibration frames. It says bias frames don’t match light frames. Any idea what the problem is? Thanks for your videos, they help me very much.
Thanks! I’m glad that the video is helpful. For the error you are getting, it’s difficult to say anything without the details of your calibration frame settings. Try changing them and then check…Cheers!!
Great video, Pawan! One question. Did you use both L-extreme and L-Pro filters at the same time for this imaging? I wasn’t sure if you could stack 2 filters in the imaging setup.
Thanks for not chatting about useless stuff and showing your dog running around. 😂
Thank you for watching and your kind words! Much appreciated. No, I don’t use two filters stacked together for any of my imaging sessions. No idea what would be the result if it’s done, except that the idea may spoil a whole nights imaging time. Cheers!!
Beautiful video! I am now starting to use the asiair live stacking but I have problems with the rain noise, I think it is related to the lack of dithering ... have you also had similar problems?
Thanks! I’m glad that the video was helpful. No, I didn’t face any such issues. CS!
Something I'm missing the calibration frames. I see where you can set the number and exposure for all three, but how did you actually take them? If you set all three, what order are they taken in? You skipped that part.
Thanks for watching!
I usually take the calibration frames in Live mode right before start of Live Stacking. While Darks can be used for several weeks, I take the flats and biases just before the live stacking. It does not take much time since the duration of each frame is in milliseconds. You can set the time for flats, darks and biases in Live mode itself.These frames are stored on ASIAIR itself.
Hope this helps. Clear Skies!!
@@AstroCrescent Appreciate the response but that didn't answer my question. Once you set the parameters, how do you command ASI Air to take them? What order are they taken (so I can figure out when to put the lens cap or light source on)? Is there a pause between cal frame types to change configuration?
@@rossdillon17 Touch the red circular button on the righjt hand side of the ASIAIR screen. There is no specific order for taking these frames. Thanks.
@@AstroCrescentNot asking the order I need to take them in. What order does ASI take them in. I need to know when to put on my light source (flats) or lens cap (darks/biases), right?
@@rossdillon17 You select the order, not the ASIAIR. Just click to select...
How’s the avx mount been holding up for you I’ve been thinking of getting one since everywhere I look the skywatcher heq-6r and we-5 mounts are sold out
AVX a nice beginner level mount. I have had no issues with it so far. It’s been over an year and this is the only mount I have. It is very similar to HEQ-5 in specs.
Thanks for watching. CS!
Hello, I have some old viewing equipment. And am having great difficulty setting it all up Installing, configuration, device scripting, etc. I do not wish to quite. Im to bull headed. Will anyone help?
Hi David. Thanks for watching. I am sure someone will come forward to help you out. It is usually good to contact the supplier of astro equipment in your area. Give it a try. CS!
👌👍
Thank you!