Orion STARSHOOT 52186, STARSHOOT 52185 User Manual
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Orion® StarShoot™ Deep Space
Video Camera
#52185 (NTSC) / #52186 (PAL)
Welcome to a new world of adventure. Your new StarShoot Deep
Space Video Camera (DSVC) is capable of providing pleasing realtime color views of the 110 Messier objects, as well as many other
bright galaxies, star clusters and Nebulas. The Planets, Moon, and
Sun (with full-aperture solar filter) can all be imaged. Create spectacular views on your display device which can be saved for emailing
or printing later. The DSVC can even be used during the day to take
images of terrestrial subjects. You’ll find that this inexpensive, yet
capable and easy to use, camera will enhance all of your journeys
with your telescope.
Please read this instruction manual before attempting to use the
camera or install the software.
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© 2011 Orion Telescopes & Binoculars
IN 411 Rev. A 04/11
Parts List
• StarShoot™ Deep Space Video
Camera (DSVC)
• C mount to 1.25" nosepiece
adapter (threaded for 1.25" filters)
• BNC/RCA Adapter
• RCA Cable (10 ft)
• Mains Power Adapter
• Field Battery Power Adapter
• Orion Video Capture device, video
adapter cables and Software CD
Figure 1. Camera attached to telescope.
System
Requirements (refer to Figure 1)
Telescope
The DSVC can be used with virtually any telescope that is compatible with 1.25"
format eyepieces. The camera simply is inserted into a focuser in the same way
as a standard eyepiece (Figure 1). If you use a star diagonal, you should remove
it before installing the DSVC. If your telescope does not have enough inward
focus travel, you will need to use an optional 1.25" Barlow lens to extend the
telescope’s focal plane to the camera’s imaging plane (Barlow sold separately).
Mount
While using an equatorial (EQ) mount is recommended to achieve the best
results, one is not absolutely required for imaging with the DSVC.
For obtaining the best deep space and planetary images, however, we do recommend an equatorial mount. Deep space imaging requires the longest exposure and hence requires more accurate tracking.
Planetary imaging requires combining many individual images, and having an
equatorial mount will prevent the planet from drifting out of the field of view of
the camera during the time it takes to acquire the large number of images necessary. A motor drive (single-axis) is recommended too for convenient capture of
sequential images without manual re-adjustment of the telescope’s position.
For the best results a GoTo mount is highly recommended.
Figure 2. TV as a displaying device. Figure 3. Laptop as a displaying/
capture/broadcasting device.
Viewing Devices
The Camera outputs a standard composite video signal that can be displayed
or recorded on any device with composite video input such as a TV, Projector,
Camcorder, DVR or VCR (Figure 2).
Optionally using the included Orion Video Capture Device, camera output can
also be viewed and captured on a PC/Laptop (Figure 3).
(Read the Orion StarShoot Video Capture Device manual for details).
Camera Feature List
• Frame integration for up to 4 seconds exposure (256x Sense up).
• Automatic Gain control for deep space objects.
• Auto Light Control (ALC) shutter speeds from 1/10000 second to 1/100
second.
• Super Digital Noise Reduction virtually eliminates all hot pixels and the need
for dark frames.
• Color Bar display for display calibration and testing of video signal.
• 2X digital zoom feature.
• Customizable Title text display.
• Light & Dark Gamma modes.
• High and Mid sharpness enhancement modes.
• Horizontal and vertical mirror functions.
• Auto white balance mode.
• Wide and Narrow Auto Tracking White Balance (ATW) modes aid in light
polluted skies.
• Auto, Color and Black and White day/night modes.
2 3
• Customizable cross hairs enable the Deep Space Video Camera to be used
with a finder scope and aid in centering objects.
your images with the camera
controls.
Getting Started During Daylight
We recommend using the DSCV for the first time during the day. This way, you
can become familiar with the camera and its functions without having to stumble
around in the dark. Set up your telescope and mount so the optical tube is pointing at an object at least a couple of hundred feet away. Insert an eyepiece and
focus as you normally would.
To obtain first images with the DSCV, follow these step-by-step instructions:
1. Remove the lens cap and unscrew black CS ring mount from camera.
2. Screw the 1.25" nosepiece adapter onto the gold camera lens threads.
3. Connect the BNC/RCA adapter to the BNC Video Out plug on the back of
the camera.
4. Connect one end of the RCA cable to the BNC/RCA adapter.
5. Connect the other end of the RCA video cable directly to your viewing device
such as TV RCA input.
6. To connect the camera to the telescope, simply replace the telescope’s 1.25"
eyepiece with the camera. Make sure the securing thumbscrew on the focuser
drawtube is tightened after the camera is inserted.
7. You will now need to refocus the camera for the centered object. Focusing
will be the hardest thing to learn in the initial stages. If you are starting out
in daylight, as is recommended, you may need to turn the exposure and/
or brightness control of the camera down before attempting to focus. (See
Camera Controls)
8. Look at the Live Video Window on the viewing device screen and adjust
the focus knob accordingly to determine best image focus.
9. Image orientation can be changed by rotating the camera within the focuser
drawtube. Simply loosen the thumbscrew on the drawtube and rotate
the camera until the desired image orientation is achieved. Retighten the
thumbscrew on the focuser drawtube when done. You may need to slightly
refocus (using the telescope’s focus knob) if the focuser drawtube has moved
a bit inward or outward when the camera was rotated.
10. You have now viewed your first images with the DSVC! This simple method of
imaging is exactly how the camera is used to capture terrestrial subjects during
daylight hours. Close-up images of birds and other wildlife or faraway vistas
can all be obtained in this way with the DSVC. Solar images can also be taken
during the day with a full-aperture solar filter over the front of the telescope.
11. Take some time to use the camera during the day to become familiar and
comfortable with their basic operation. For best results, you can optimize
Camera Field of View
The camera’s field of view is approximately equivalent to the field of view
through the telescope when looking
through a typical (i.e. not wide-field)
6mm focal length eyepiece (Figure 4).
Camera Controls
All camera features are controlled
via the OSD menu (ON SCREEN
DISPLAY). Selections are made using
the navigational Menu buttons (up/
down/left/right) and select button (center) (Figure 5).
Pressing the center button for a short
period of time will bring up the OSD
menu (Figure 6).
Different camera settings are required
depending upon the targets observed.
Daytime Terrestrial, Lunar and planetary imaging requires short exposure times whilst deep space objects
require much longer exposure times.
WHITE BAL. (white balance).
CCD security cameras feature this
adjustment to compensate for ambient
light color. Since there’s a color difference between standard light bulb light
and sunlight, white balance adjusts to
ensure a more realistic picture.
There are two white balance control
modes, namely Auto tracking white
balance (ATW) and Auto White Balance (AWB).
AWB – Auto White Balance
AWB is a preset type function whereby white color in the scene is detected and
white balance is automatically adjusted, then the setting status is stored. It automatically memorizes the adjusted white balance value every time the AWB but-
Figure 4. Comparison field of view
between DSVC (rectangle) and standard
6mm Plössl eyepiece (circle).
Figure 5. Camera rear view.
Figure 6. Main OSD menu screen.
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