ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY WITH MEADE DEEP SKY IMAGER Last updated: 31 December 2007

This page covers the various models of the Meade Deep Sky Imager and DSI Pro with your comments, tips, and photos. Contributions welcome. In order to showcase the DSI you may occasionally see images taken with other telescopes on this page.

Subject:	ETX-125EC with DSI Pro
Sent:	Saturday, December 29, 2007 16:44:06
From:	Home on Bellsouth (mpilgrim@bellsouth.net)
First of all I wish to join the multitudes in wishing Mike a smooth
transition to his new home in Arizona.  Also, let me say to all readers
that we wish all of you a very happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year
from our house to yours.

Now to the meat of my questions.  As a total newbie with my ETX-125EC
and new DSI Pro, I have spent many hours scouring comments in this web
site, and have extensively interrogated the Yahoo DSI group, and have
failed to see my concerns discussed.

The DSI Pro utilizes a filter slide housing which moves the image chip
approximately 1/2" away from the focal point, thus it is said that the
focal length of the DSI Pro is somewhere between 5mm and 9mm.  I have on
order a .5x reducer which fits into the DSI nose piece, effectively
doubling that focal length.  That should make for simplified focusing
and an increased FOV; that's the good news.  The bad news is that when
mounting the DSI Pro in the main eye piece holder (as opposed to the
photo port on the rear of the scope where it interferes with higher dec
movement of the scope), I am faced with: a) conflict with the 8x25mm
right angle view finder if the DSI is mounted per Meade instructions,
with the USB cable exiting to the left of the DSI Pro, or b) if mounted
with the USB cable exiting directly to the aft of the DSI, then I have a
conflict between the filter slide and the view finder. I'd rather not
mess with physically relocating the view finder (there's a suggestion
here on how to do that), I'm searching for a better answer.

One thought which comes to mind is to use a tube extender in the lens
port, attaching the DSI physically above the level of the view finder. 
My question therefore, is to ask if insertion of a tube extender (I have
one on hand which renders up to 2" extension) will alter the focal
length of the DSI.  If so, then what other option exists?

A secondary question relates to the orientation of the DSI as regards
the Autoguider capability within the Meade DSI imaging software.  Given
that Meade says to mount the DSI with the USB cable exiting to the left
side of the scope, is it possible that the Autoguiding function assumes
that as the default orientation, and therefore, any other orientation
will yield improper directional guidance from the Autoguiding feature?  
A similar question relates to the possibility that I might use the DSI
on the photo port of the tube, incorporating a 45 degree erecting prism.
Would that configuration also confuse the Autoguiding directional
characteristics?

If these questions have previously been discussed, then I have missed
them in the mountains of data presented here.  If I seem to be ignorant
of the physics of the optics involved, then the only excuse is that I am
a "total newbie" in this game.

Any comments or constructive ideas are appreciated.

Thanks,

Mike Pilgrim, Boca Raton, Fl 

Subject:	Re: DSI (was "hello.")
Sent:	Friday, December 28, 2007 23:18:49
From:	James Block (blitzburgh39@comcast.net)
I tried another usb cable and it did the exact same thing.. i almost had
a clear shot of the moon... but i couldnt do it.

Subject:	hello.
Sent:	Tuesday, December 25, 2007 20:17:56
From:	James Block (blitzburgh39@comcast.net)
i was just googling around.. and i saw that people were asking you about
their dsi and stuff.. i just got one with my meade etx-105 and wheneever
i hook it up to my scope and preview it in autostar (envisage)
everything is staticy like really bad noise... can you help me?? thanks!

jim.

And:

Yes i have. and i do have a usb 2.0... i have contacted the company
where i bought it from and they said they never heard anything like this
before. they wanted me to contact meade. but it has been clear here for
the past 2 days which is a rare thing to happen. and i wanted to use it.
thanks.

jim.

Subject:	another years images
Sent:	Friday, December 21, 2007 05:29:21
From:	Alexander Wilson (esraguin@googlemail.com)
Hope the move went smoothly , Here are my efforts of the past year,
still using lxd55 sc8in with my dsi colour ,hope to purchase lxd75 mount
this year although its twice as exspensive here in scotland than in the
states,Is there any word of meade upgrading the lxd75 again ? , if so i
might wait.   Thanks again for your hard work on your site .

Alex Wilson    CLINTERTY OBSERVATORIES  SCOTLAND

Subject:	DSI Pro.......parfocal question
Sent:	Wednesday, December 19, 2007 17:29:02
From:	Mike Pilgrim (mpilgrim@bellsouth.net)
With my ETX-125EC, I have attached my new DSI-Pro and have discovered
the painstaking effort to achieve proper focus.  Among articles read on
your web site, the one which stakes a positive impression is the mention
of a lens extender necessitated by the inclusion of the filter slide
attachment on the DSI-Pro imager.  Other than the one article suggesting
that a person in the U.K. might fabricate a usable extender, my question
is to know if there already exists such a product on the commercial
market.  I've searched a lot of online telescope accessory dealers but
have yet to identify such an item available.

My desire is to use an extender on the 90degree eyepiece holder with my
26mm lens, and once a good focus is achieved in the DSI mounted on the
Photo Port, adjust the 26mm lens as parfocal such that I can (hopefully)
switch the flip mirror control for easier focus on the DSI.

This sounds like a reasonable procedure, but I'm open to other
suggestions.

If the fabrication from the gent in the U.K. is the only available
option, then I will probably ask if he can do it for me.  Has anyone
heard of the price for his efforts?

Thanks again for your excellent site and personal responses.  By the
way, I just noticed your link for contributions.  Once Christmas and
associated expenses are behind me, you can count on a Pledge from me.
 
Sincerely,
 
Mike Pilgrim
Boca Raton, Fl

Subject:	Broken DSI
Sent:	Wednesday, December 19, 2007 17:07:43
From:	Odair Martins Berto (oberto@toyota.com.br)
Dear Mr. Weasner, how are yur? I hope fine.

Firstly, thanks once again for your strong support on my last problem
with telescope (I am satisfied like a kid in Christmans day!).

Now, I need your opnion for following problem:

I just bought a DSI (2nd hand) in order to use with my new baby (Meade
130mm).

But due to bad transpotation, I received the DSI as you can see in
attached images.

I am really consern about reimbursement, actualy, I think I will never
see my money again...

Do you have some suggestion to Fix my DSI? I was thinking IF could be
possible to buy only the sensor set?

Thanks in advance for your help!!
Yours,
Odair M. Berto

Subject:	DSI III
Sent:	Tuesday, December 18, 2007 10:05:08
From:	Steve (bullfox@comcast.net)
I bought myself a DSI III for Christmas, this way cost issues don't
arise with the wifey.  I have only had one opportunity to use it due to
winter weather, but I already like it a lot, and the new Envision
software seems more stable.  I have ordered the belt drive conversion
for my LXD75, and will upgrade the mount this winter.  I hope to take
some pictures and post with you after the weather clears.  I figure I
have to spend about twice as much as I have so far before I can start
calling it imaging.  I hope you move has gone well.  We are planning on
a week in New Mexico next year at one of the astronomy bed and
breakfasts.  HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Subject:	Hope the moves going well
Sent:	Monday, December 17, 2007 14:27:58
From:	PETER SMITH (psmithuk@btinternet.com)
Just a short note - hope the relocation to Arizonas going well and that
you are fairly settled before Christmas.

I might be going over to the dark side and getting a Celestron CPC 800
XLT.....or keeping the faith and getting  a Meade LX90 8" GPS UHTC

Hmmmmmm....... Want something that can handle th eD200 properly and also
the various other imagers taht I like to play with... the poor old ETC
105 is no longer up to the job...and I got a nice suprise today :)
 
The latest DSI SLR images are at 
 
http://www.btinternet.com/~psmithuk/AstroPhotos/DSI-SLR-LENS/ 
 
and
 
http://www.btinternet.com/~psmithuk/AstroPhotos/m31/m31_80-200_14_11_07.jpg
 
http://www.btinternet.com/~psmithuk/AstroPhotos/C17PHolmes/C17P_Holmes23-11-07_80mm.jpg
  
Best Reagrds,
 
Peter Smith UK

Subject:	DSI Problems
Sent:	Friday, November 30, 2007 08:37:18
From:	Bill Christiansen (Bill.Christiansen@BetaEngineering.com)
I am having problems with the DSI on my ETX-125 PE.  I have read all the
post's and purchased a powered USB hub for my laptop and PC to no avail.

What happens is the DSI starts out in the live mode with poor pictures
then suddenly I get a bunch of vertical black stripes, much like a bar
code.  After that shutting down and unplugging the DSI sometimes helps. 
I have gotten the DSI to run for a max of about 2 minutes.  I have tried
it on XP and Vista with the same result.  I also downloaded the latest
copies of software from meade.

Any ideas or help would be appreciated.
 
By the way, GREAT SITE!
 
Bill

Subject:	Latest Astros
Sent:	Friday, November 23, 2007 12:46:57
From:	PETER SMITH (psmithuk@btinternet.com)
Here are my latest Astro-photos
 
This was DSI Color 80-200 at 80mm attempt at a wider view of C17P Holmes
against a bright Moonlit Sky.
 
And the "Offending" moon with the Konica Minolta 5D using an Eyepiece T
adaptor - Quite a large image that one (2.5MB)
 
www.btinternet.com/~psmithuk/AstroPhotos/moon/Moon_Mosaic_ETX105_KM5D.jpg
 
Need to work on the Focusing of the DSLR..
 
Driven in with icing at -3C The heaters worked well again so the
corrector plate and SLR lens were clear but a nice layer of ice
covering everything else...including the 100x25s!

Good luck with the move...

Peter Smith (UK)

And:

Moon imaged with the DSI Color and the 80-200mm lens
 
www.btinternet.com/~psmithuk/AstroPhotos/moon/Moon_DSI_200.jpg
 
The image will give a good idea of the FOV of the DSI with a 200mm lens
fitted.

Had the base off the 105 again this morniong as the RA drive had become
jumpy - there had been m,ovem,ent leadign to mis-aligment between the
gear that drives teh worm adn the main gear assembly causing it to bind
Then jump - All adjusted again...
 
Peter

Subject:	Any Ideas What This Is?
Sent:	Wednesday, November 14, 2007 15:12:12
From:	PETER SMITH (psmithuk@btinternet.com)
First clear night for ages so am making a night of it.
 
Out with the DSI Color with an 80-200 mm lens attached. Had been Imaging
Various Objects and at the same time scanning the sky with my night
vision scope (forgot to tell you I had one of those) Saw a large Fuzzy
Object and decided to Slew the scope onto it and Image it with the DSI
Color and lens at 200mm

The Scope reckons its RA 03 34.4   Dec 50 14 the image was started at
10:27 GMT at 51 41 20 N 03 52 29W

But autostar reckoned I was ^64   <29 out on the alignment...

Wasn't connected to the laptop so wasn't tracking position in Autostar
Suite..

Any ideas what its is ? 60 images at 5.7s

Its def not 17P Holmes as I'm imaging that at the moment but this object
was visible to the naked eye as a large fuzzy blob

Regards,
 
Peter

And:

hmmm maybe the scope might have moved a long way but comet Holmes was a
lot brighter this was only just visible to the naked eye as a fuzzy
patch picked it up in the image intensifier first been watching Holmes
over the last few nights

scope might have moved a bit as I have been changing the cameras etc but
the laser pointer was no where near what I regarded as being Holmes....

And an update:

Yeah its 17 P Holmes checked the Ephemeris data and it ties in with the
error that Autostar reported when the scope was polar aligned...
 
2007 11 11    03 34.47   +50 35.4    1.623    2.506   146.0    12.8  17.0  19.8
2007 11 16    03 28.31   +50 23.1    1.631    2.526   148.2    11.9  17.1  19.8
 
Oh well imaged it anyway...
 
I think I better start learning my way around the sky a bit better...

Got some more shots from the DSI Color with an 80-200mm F3.6 lens i''ll
sort them out later today  after a few hours sleep and put them on my
webspace and send you the links.

Bet things are pretty hectic at the moment getting ready for the move.
 
Regards,
 
Peter
 
p.s. I'll also correctly label the What This image as it is no longer a
mystery ;)

Subject:	Tonights imaging of M31
Sent:	Monday, November 12, 2007 12:17:33
From:	PETER SMITH (psmithuk@btinternet.com)
Tonights image of M31 DSI Color 135mm Lens before the cloud came in and
spoilt the exposure...

1062.2s Stack of 94 images 11.3s in Autostar Envisage

One night i'll get a really long clear spell and get the exposure I
really want....
 
Regards,
 
Peter

And:

Always forgot to ask this one...
 
Whats the normal way of "displaying" astro images - in terms of which
way up/round they should be? Different optical setups will have the
image mirrored in one or both axes so wondered whats the correct way to
have them.

Got some more lenses on the way for the DSI Color - got an 80-200mm f3.8
two touch zoom on its way with he 7.5x effective on the DSI that's
600-1500mm so hoping for some decent nights viewing to try it out-
wanted the zoom because piggybacking the DSI and lens via the eyepiece
port leads to some interesting alignment issues so being able to start
with a wider FOV and then zoom in once the object of interest has been
centred and synced could be a handy.

Saying that having no problems tracking for 1000s with the 135mm also
got a 2x teleconvertor to play with sometime and the Minolta D5 so might
try some Prime Focus work with that. Heaters performed flawlessly again
tonight with temps hovering  just above freezing I have made combined
dew shields & heater bands for the SLR lenses that I use on the DSI as
well now makes a huge difference. I used plastic Damp Proof Course
material and waiting for a delivery of 30SWG Nichrome wire to do the
same for the 25x100s which come out every night when there are any gaps
in the cloud for a sweep across the skies

Just need the viewing to be right....I'm getting a reputation for
turning clear skies cloudy within a short time of setting up which is
why its mainly backyard light polluted skies at the moment...
 
 
Best Regards,
 
Peter Smith (UK)

Subject:	latest attempts at M31 with the DSI COlor and SLR lenses
Sent:	Tuesday, November 6, 2007 13:40:37
From:	PETER SMITH (psmithuk@btinternet.com)
Know your away so no attachments just a link
 
www.btinternet.com/~psmithuk/AstroPhotos/m31/M31_DSICol_135mm.bmp
 
DSI Color with 135mm F3.5 lens piggybacked on ETX 105
 
Also relised that what I was looking at through the 25x100s the night I
had them and thought they were faulty was 17P Holmes! DOH!!!
 
Hope the relocations going smoothly
 
Peter

Subject:	Comet 17P/Holmes with DSI Pro
Sent:	Sunday, November 4, 2007 13:59:52
From:	Robert Zaballa (robert_zaballa@yahoo.com)
Hello, it has been a while since I have corresponded with you, I don't
know if you remember me, I have sent some images to you in the past of
Mars and also some images I have made with the DSI Pro. I have been busy
with graduate school, and not done any astrophotography for a while, but
the recent comet has caught my attention. I am sending one black and
white, and one colored image of comet 17P/Holmes that I have taken with
the DSI Pro, using an Orion 80 mm refractor at f/2.5 (using a focal
reducer). I thought you might like to add these to your website.

Sincerely,
Robert Zaballa

Subject:	ETX80 & DSI - Comet Holmes and Pleiades
Sent:	Wednesday, October 31, 2007 19:09:13
From:	Renee Ann Wirick (reneeannwirick@yahoo.com)
What a wonderful Halloween here with my ETX80 and the DSI!  Had an
almost perfect night and here are the results- a composite image of the
Pleiades and the one I am most please about-Comet Holmes!!  I really am
pleased with the progress I am making with the DSI, you really can do a
lot when you get the hang of it!!
 
Best Wishes,
 
Renee Wirick
Thetford, Norfolk, England

Subject:	Re: Black and white lines on Meade DSI - software issue
Sent:	Tuesday, October 2, 2007 01:08:10
From:	Iain Melville (iain@mrmelville.co.uk)
I have an update for this issue.  This apparantly occurs if you try and
use the DSI Pro II (or the DSI II as well I guess since I have the mono
Pro model) with an outdated driver.

From what I can tell, and this is a guess from what I have seen on my
system, this will happen if you have been using an LPI (issued with the
older DSI drivers) and then try and install the DSI (Pro) II without
updating the drivers. In any case, to fix, simply download the latest
DSI drivers from Meade and this should fix the problem.  I would
recommend using the latest drivers whatever the scenario.

Regards,
Iain

Subject:	DSI 2 success
Sent:	Sunday, September 23, 2007 13:44:00
From:	Ray Carlson (ray-carlson@talktalk.net)
I recently bought a DSI 2 colour imager for use on my four year old
ETX90. After trying out various targets I thought I'd try M57. I live in
the suburbs of London UK and M57 is sometimes not visible through the
eyepiece. Imagine my sheer delight when I did a goto and there on the
screen was a great little colour image, not up to the quality of some of
your site's old hands, but to me a miracle.



Thank you for a great site without it I would still be struggling to get
up the first part of the learning curve. Thank you.
 
Ray Carlson

Subject:	Meade DSI Blow out
Sent:	Thursday, September 6, 2007 16:20:38
From:	Allen Sellick (sellick@uci.net)
Meade has dropped the price on the older DSI 

I just got one at OPT for $99.00.
 
Thanks,
 
Allen
  
Allen Sellick
Grey Wolf Astronomy
Union, OR
http://www.greywolfastronomy.com

Subject:	First Attempts at DSI Color Imaging
Sent:	Thursday, September 6, 2007 09:24:18
From:	PETER SMITH (psmithuk@btinternet.com)
With the "old" DSO Color being a bargain at the clearance sale prices
(had to buy from US ans the prices haven't made it to the UK) I just had
to get one to complement the LPI and Toucam II Pro.

I have been out twice with it once to a fairly light polluted site and
the last time from a new darker skies site and I am just beginning to
get DSO  images from it. One thing I have learnt is the importance of
focusing and collection of dark images. I focus on a bright star
(usually VEGA) using a Hartman mask and make sure I collect darks just
before I start to image a DSO.

The following pics are a screen grab of an M57 "preview" and the
resulting image taken on a clear but windy night not the best images but
my first DSO with the DSI...
 




 
I am using the 0.5X focal reducer to give faster exposure and wider
field of view since my stellar navigation skills aren't the best and
polar alignment is still a bit rough and ready at what was a new dark
skies site.

Reagrds,
Peter Smith (UK)

Subject:	Meade DSI
Sent:	Wednesday, August 22, 2007 23:31:35
From:	Seinbest@aol.com (Seinbest@aol.com)
I found some information about the DSI on your site, but can't find it
again.  (I think it was your site)  Anyway, I got one and now I am
looking for a focus reducer, but I have a 4.5" reflector and read that a
reducer for a reflector is hard to find.  Could you tell me if any focus
reducer will work or does it have to be a special type?  Does a reducer
thread into the DSI?

Matt

Subject:	M13
Sent:	Tuesday, July 10, 2007 23:11:17
From:	Steve (bullfox@comcast.net)
This was taken last Saturday night at Del Valle reservoir in the Bay
Area.  65 15 second images with the DSI II color camera, Williams 110mm
Megrez doublet, and LXD75 mount.  Probably too much color in the post
processing but so what.  It looks ok anyway.

Subject:	M57 with DSI, ETX-80AT
Sent:	Saturday, July 7, 2007 18:24:20
From:	Renee Ann Wirick (reneeannwirick@yahoo.com)
I got a clear night and managed to get this one of M57, my first!  I
could not even see it through the scope for light pollution but was so
excited when I could see it on the screen, these are the results with 50
exposures of 4 seconds each, stacked in Drizzle, in alt-az alignment.  I
am so pleased with my little ETX 80, and the DSI!!
 
Yours,
 
Renee

Subject:	color DSI (old version) problem
Sent:	Friday, May 18, 2007 08:13:09
From:	JOHN PALADINI (jpaladin1@comcast.net)
I have s strang problem my old color DSI camera only comes up in B&W mode
the box to change it from B&W is grayed out so I cannot change it
the image is fine just no color
Have you ever heard of this ?
 
thanks 
John Paladini

And:

i reinstalled software 
i think its hardware i tried two different machines 
thanks 
john

And:

Nice try but no cigar
I reload software and used belkin powered hub 
still same - it works but no color

called meade they say "send it in"

do you know roughly what they charge 
it may not pay for a 299 camera

Subject:	question from Jerry Jenny
Sent:	Saturday, April 21, 2007 23:23:25
From:	chuck kimball (kimball@artistsloft.com)
just bought a basic DSI from Jerry Jenny and am having a strange
problem... he suggests you as a resource for info, I hope this is not
intruding...  if it is, just let me know...

I am attempting to use the basic DSI color as an autoguider, but on
trying to hook it up via mac and PHD guider, the images are garbage...
Craig Stark says the problem might be with the usb via mac... I am using
usb 1.1 on a G3 iBook, dual usb.. and have tried it on my G4 dual
mmd...here is a jpeg of a flat field image from the trial version of
nebulosity.  the gray lines are trial version export...



neither Craig no I have ever seen images like this...   do you have any
suggestions as to how to resolve?   the software, both PSD and
Nebulosity recognize the camera, but both have the same image...

it looks like you are with OPT so I could bring the camera over if
necessary (in Julian) ...  old life member... or maybe you could refer
someone...

thanks in advance for your help, and say hi to J Craig and Penny and
those...

chuck kimball

And:

sorry for violating your code of ethics, but there isn't a notice  at
the bottom of the home page where I instinctively went for an email
address...  have now read the Etiquette and have a question:  how does
one use the Autostar suite with a Mac?  and further, can it be used with
a Classic lx200?   thanks for your suggestion on usb 2.0, Craig Stark
has the same thought...

Subject:	DSI
Sent:	Sunday, April 15, 2007 21:51:47
From:	Gary Gorsline (garyg@x-link.info)
Have had one night (last night) to do a bit of testing - cloudy all
week.  Not ready to report.  Too windy tonight and some clouds.

However, I did receive the new 3.0 software cd from meade.  I'm thinking
my post may not be of any help for anyone and not typical of Meade, and
can be removed at your discretion.  However, my CD was not as new as
what's on the web site.  The version on the web has some drizzle updates
and a newer autostar updater.

And this new AutoStar Suite does control my old ETX.  But the imager
software will not, meaning I can't take full advantage of drizzle. 
Again, after I get all of this working, then I'll see what I need.  Like
some sort of autofocus for the ETX would be helpful - touching the scope
to focus with the CCD doesn't cut it.  Setting up a Parafocal 9mm may
help, but can you really set it accurately?

I have attached 2 jpgs of my darks - 8 and 15 seconds.  They are
generated using the normal technique.  I was wondering if these looked
typical or if I had too many "hot" pixels?

If I'm taking up too much of your time, please let me know.

Gary

Gary Gorsline
Land O' Lakes, Florida

Subject:	DSI PRO II and Vista
Sent:	Wednesday, April 4, 2007 11:14:13
From:	User721401@aol.com (User721401@aol.com)
Another quick update;  I just got my new DSI PRO II with the filter set
and installed it on the dreaded Vista computer that will eventually go
out to the field with me...And it worked.  Again, it has not been
tested, but I did plug it into the computer and got an image on the
screen.  Assuming we ever see clear skies here, I will take my first
images with it.
 
Dan

Go to the January-March 2007 DSI Page.

Go to the December 2006 DSI Page.

Go to the September-November 2006 DSI Page.

Go to the June-August 2006 DSI Page.

Go to the May 2006 DSI Page.

Go to the March-April 2006 DSI Page.

Go to the January-February 2006 DSI Page.

Go to the November-December 2005 DSI Page.

Go to the October 2005 DSI Page.

Go to the August-September 2005 DSI Page.

Go to the June-July 2005 DSI Page.

Go to the May 2005 DSI Page.

Go to the March-April 2005 DSI Page.

Go to the January-February 2005 DSI Page.

Go to the 2004 DSI Page.

Go back to the Astrophotography Page.

Go back to my ETX Home Page.