Q S I 5 0 0 S E R I E S U S E R G U I D E
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Note:
Please refer to the
Cooling the Camera
discussion in Section 2
Camera
Features and Controls
for in-depth information on cooling your 500 Series
camera and the available cooling options.
Focusing with MaxIm LE
Achieving precise focus is critical for producing high quality astronomical photos. This
seemingly simple task is surprisingly difficult when using the long focal lengths typical of
astronomical telescopes. Fast telescopes with small focal ratios are great for
astrophotography, but they make focusing even more of a challenge. The smaller the focal
ratio, the shorter the critical focus zone. With some optical systems, the size of the critical
focus zone can be less than 100 microns (0.1 millimeters), or roughly 0.003 inches.
MaxIm LE includes a Focus tab to assist with achieving critical focus. In the Camera
Control Window, click the Focus Tab.
The Focus tab allows you to take a continuous series of short exposures while adjusting the
focus of your telescope or other lens. As stars come into focus they produce a smaller disk
of light with more of the total light from the star being focused into a smaller area. The
Focus tab window should be set as shown above. You may need to adjust the exposure