Handbook for the SX-56 Full Frame camera Issue 1, 25
th
October 2017
Another useful feature in the ‘Test’ menu, is the ability to operate the shutter independently of imaging.
This is useful for opening the shutter for cleaning the camera window, or for cycling the shutter to
check for correct operation. The ‘Open’ and ‘Close’ buttons are self-explanatory, while the ‘Test’ box
will start a continuous ‘open / close’ cycle for as long as the box is enabled.
The Test menu also includes an SX filter wheel control function. It does not ‘auto change’ filters for
image sequences, but this may be added to future versions.
Other features of the SX-56:
The SX-56 incorporates a 3 port USB hub, which may be used to operate other low power peripheral
accessories. Examples are the SX Lodestar guide camera and the SX USB filter wheel. To use these de-
vices, you will need suitable ‘mini B’ cables to interface with the port sockets on the rear of the cam-
era. A set of suitable cables is supplied with the SX-56 and spares are available from SX Ltd. The hub
is capable of supplying up to about 300mA per port.
There is also an RJ12 style guider output port that can be used for controlling a telescope mount. This
port may be used to feed correction signals to the telescope mount - either from the SX-56 itself, or via
software, from a guide camera. The outputs are arranged in the standard ‘ST4’ style pattern, as below:
