@Focus Automated Focus

Sample image focused using @Focus with the 1.25-inch JMI NGF-miniS focuser,

and SBIG ST-9E and Wright Schmidt 5-inch telescope, f/3.7.

Santa Barbara Instrument Group and Software Bisque are pleased to announce another revolution in CCD astronomy. Using our exclusive @Focus technology (pronounced "at focus") CCDSoft can automatically focus a CCD camera using a motorized focuser (for example, the JMI NGFS or Optec TCF-S focuser). You'll save hours of setup time with this feature alone!

Watch a movie of @Focus at work! (4 MB AVI)

The movie begins with a CCD image that is significantly out of focus. Once initiated, @Focus methodically begins searching for focus. After a few focuser adjustments, it even switches focuser direction, passes through focus, and then returns the focuser precisely to the best focus.

Actual CCD Images Before and After @Focus

Out of focus image - before starting @Focus

Focused image - after running @Focus

Note: The seeing conditions in Golden, Colorado

were very poor (the norm) when these images were acquired.

What is "Near Focus?"

Near Focus
	@Focus can focus this image with no problem
Image at focus"
	Precisely focused image using @Focus.
Image is too far out of focus for @Focus*
	*If the user knows the direction required to achieve focus (in or out), s/he could instruct @Focus to begin moving the mechanical focuser in the "correct" direction and @Focus would achieve focus with this image!

For a complete discussion related to @Focus, please read the CCDSoft User's manual (PDF).

@Focus Comments from CCDSoft Version 5 User's

"We have been using @Focus on one of our Paramount's with a modified Optec focuser....it is absolutely amazing to watch the software direct the focus to exactly the same spot each time. This one feature alone will make the new CCDSoft worthy of its price when it is released."

M. Rice

"I am using an AP1200, NGF-S combination. My preliminary results seem to show that focus is accurately achieved. I tried with a single (high SNR) star in the FOV, and also at the center of M35 with many stars in the FOV. It seemed to work equally well in both cases. I am very impressed with what I have seen so far."

R. Seavey

"My initial experience was very exciting. The whole process took about five minutes, with the focuser making faint whirring sounds as the software first focused "out" several time, then back "in", as if it were getting a feel for the focus. Finally, after going though multiple exposure steps, it decided what had been the best point, and reset the JMI [focuser] to this point. At least that's what I think happened. All I know is that my image of M13 appeared to have very sharp focus! I am very impressed; Thanks Bisque!"

C. Anderson

I can't say enough about @Focus, the calibration routine, and autoguiding features of this new version of CCDSoft. I love it!

S. Stefanik

*@Focus uses sharpness technology developed by Björn Heijligers.