Recent Posts

21

Software and Everything Else / Re: cannot load Artemis/ATIK DLL

« Last post by cesco on November 26, 2022, 10:43:21 pm »

I'm having this problem right now. I upgraded my astrophotography facilities to an MSI i5 USB 3  SSD laptop PC, and fronted the task of installing softwares for all my capture devices. I use PHD2 software for autoguiding with a Titan videocam on an 80mm f/11 refractor, and Artemis software for capture with an Atik 428EX on a Meade 7" ED f/9 refractor.
I downloaded and installed the Atik CAPTURE package and, though Artemis and Dawn processing software performed correctly, PHD2 was not able to start the Titan, delivering a DLL error message: "Cannot load Atik camera DLL ArtemisHSC.dll.
I have also found a discussion of this error dated 2020, but no solution was issued, not even by Atik technical team. I don't find an answer to your question as well.
So, I remain with many error claims, but without a solution...I DO BELIEVE ATIK SHOULD ADDRESS THE ISSUE!!!
Thank you.
Best
Cesco

22

Software and Everything Else / Re: ATikbase successful first night

« Last post by Altouch on November 20, 2022, 11:28:37 pm »

Here we are in November 2022.  In Late September I finally gave up on the Stellarmate / Atikbase for anything other than power distribution.  Many things would break whenever a software update was done. I stupidly took a working Atikbase and updated the software to try to do image mosaics.  The whole thing must be redone.  Manually update individual libraries so it will talk to cameras - both QHY and Atik.  If you do that in the wrong order, the one you just updated quits working. It would never connect to my Celestron AVX mount. It does connect to my 2006-vintage CGE Mount.  I tried Powered hubs, USB 2, 3. Boot Stellarmate, then mount.  Boot mount then Stellarmate. Never did connect to the AVX.

I decided that the AtikBase is best used as a power distribution port.  Don’t buy it for that, but that is about all for which it remains useful. What a great idea the AtikBase and Stellarmate are. A great idea shot down in frustration with poor software quality, broken software upgrades.  It would be fantastic if your hobby is to be a Unix / Ubuntu Mate tinkerer.  For every hour using it under the stars, plan on 20 or so hours messing with the Stellarmate software and drivers to try to make it operable. Much time spent searching and in forums to try to find how to fix it.

I am glad I tried it, and it had promise. But complete frustration.  I have switched to NINA and it has been seamless. I have things to learn with NINA, but it works and I can learn the details of things like fine tuning the meridian flip parameters.  It has updated several times since the end of September, and it consistently works and connects - unlike Stellarmate which is generally not functional after every update - without hours of manipulation. I have spent more time imaging the sky than tinkering with NINA. That could not be said for the AtikBase and Stellarmate.

Atikbase was a great idea, wrecked by poor software quality. It is still useful as a power distribution box.

23

3- and 4-Series Cameras / Atik EFW2 with Atik cameras thread issue (1186 times read)

« Last post by ErickSimon on September 28, 2022, 04:08:09 am »

The threaded attachment that connects the Atik 383L to the filter wheel is causing me trouble. I figured the filter wheel's threads were worn out. The camera adaptor for the filter wheel is being sent to me by Andrew after I sent him an email. Recently, I gave the DMK camera adaptor a go, and it appeared to attach well via the thread. I'm now perplexed. Has anyone else had issues with filter wheels and camera thread wear?

24

Equipment / Re: What camera for planetary photos

« Last post by badnishant79 on September 27, 2022, 10:37:56 pm »

The thing you want with a planetary camera is the ability to shoot as fast as the light falling on the sensor will allow. Most DSLRs shoot in the 30 to maybe 60 fps. A good planetary camera might shoot 100 to 150 fps.
https://routerlogin.ltd/
https://pikashow.ltd/

25

3- and 4-Series Cameras / About FLATS on Atik 460ex Color camera

« Last post by tokis on September 23, 2022, 08:13:52 am »

Hello again photo and especially to the developers.

I own such a camera and have recently acquired a flatscreen. Well I have read in many forums that for the flats to be effective they have to have a minimum time (between 4 to 5 seconds), on the other hand colleagues who have ATIK camera with CCD sensors tell me that the company itself advise that time interval.

Well, either with N.I.N.A. or any other acquisition software (SGP pro, voyager, etc) I DO NOT EVEN GET THOSE EXPOSURE TIMES. I send you the results.

N.I.N.A. - The flats wizard directly tells me that the exposure time is way below the 5 seconds time (to achieve an ADU of between 22000 to 26000), not even with the flats screen turned off I can't get the wizard to give me correct readings.

SGP Pro - Here the flats wizard does manage to do them taking a very dim flatscreen brightness (the values range from 0 to 3000 and it manages to do them between 300 to 500) but the time is very, very short 1.20 seconds to 1.65 seconds.

This is my experience but I would like to know what the developers of the camera software can tell me.

does it really take the 4 or 5 seconds to fill the well?
Are those short flalts that I achieve with SGP correct?

I would like to get answers from the ATIK people as well as from any other user who has dealt with this same problem.

Best regards

26

Accessories / Re: EFW2 won't connect

« Last post by jlmanatee on September 12, 2022, 03:19:26 pm »

I too have not been able to get my filter wheel to connect to my Windows 10 pro NUC.  I tried asking for help and I tried several solutions suggested by Atik.  I've had no luck and I think Atik has given up on me.  I tried another PC with an old version of the Atik base software and verified that the wheel works fine.  I see I'm not the only one to have this issue with an up-to-date version of Windows 10.  I suspect Atik wants us to buy a new wheel.  Ugh.  This would appear to be $600 down the drain which makes me unhappy with Atik as I love their cameras.  For now I'm going to use a manual wheel.  If Atik is going to abandon the EFW2, I'll be moving on to another FW brand.   

27

Large Format / Which software to do live stacking with ATIK11000

« Last post by maurizioplll on August 31, 2022, 07:54:37 pm »

Is there any software that allows to do live stacking with the ATIK11000?
Thanks

28

Deep Sky Images / Draco Triplet with Atik Infinity mono

« Last post by artemisclark on August 23, 2022, 02:59:59 am »

Hi all,

Not as well-known as the Leo triplet, NGC 5981, 5982 and 5985, collectively known as the Draco triplet are a fine group of galaxies high in Draco.
Unlike the Leo triplet however these galaxies are probably not related and are at different distances so the triplet is purely a line of sight effect.

Stack of 50 frames with 15 seconds per exposure.
Atik Infinity monochrome camera with Meade LX 200 8" SCT, 15 seconds per exposure @ f/6 , 2x binning.

29

Accessories / Re: Can I use 31mm unmounted filters in a 1.25" carousel?

« Last post by nitehawk on August 19, 2022, 07:54:52 pm »

No, the 1.25" filters don't have screws to hold unmounted filters in place.Maybe if someone makes a standard adatpor that might fit.

30

3- and 4-Series Cameras / Re: 383L+ with NINA issue

« Last post by nag on July 28, 2022, 02:59:40 pm »

Are you using the NINAs native driver or the ASCOM driver ? I used the 383 and it worked like a charm with the native driver.

The download speed it's very impressive.