SBIG ST-7XE - Getting Started with CCDOPS; To Try some Functions with Sample Images; Capturing Images with the CCD Camera

Section 1 - Introduction
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1.2.3. Getting Started with CCDOPS
• Use Camera->Establish Com Link
. After a few seconds should see “Link:[ST-10]USB” in
lower-right corner of CCDOPS main window where ST-10 is the camera model. You are
now talking to the camera.
• From this point you should follow the software instructions / help menus to Set Up the
camera’s cooling, Focus, Grab images, etc.
1.2.4. To try some functions with sample images:
• Double-click on the CCDOPS icon to launch the program.
• Use the Open command in the File menu to load one of the sample images. A window
showing the exposure time, etc. will appear. Click in it to make it disappear. The image will
show up in its own window.
• Try using the crosshairs. Use the Crosshairs command in the Display menu.
• Use the mouse to move the crosshair around in the image and see the pixel values.
• Close the crosshairs and try inverting the image. Click the Invert item in the Contrast
window.
• Try the photo display mode. Use the Photo Mode command in the Display menu. Click the
mouse to return to the menus.
• Load up the other sample images and display them using the photo display mode. You
have to close any existing image first.
• If you find that the display is too dark or bright, try setting Auto Contrast in the Contrast
window or adjust the background and range parameters to achieve the best display. You may
have to hit the Apply button in the Contrast window to see changes in the Background and
Range
1.2.5. Capturing Images with the CCD Camera
Unfortunately there really aren't many shortcuts you can take when using the CCD camera to
capture images. The instructions below refer you to various sections of the manual.
• Find some relatively bright object like M51, the Ring Nebula (M57) or the Dumbbell Nebula
(M27) (refer to section 3.5).
• Take a 1 minute exposure using the Grab command with the Dark frame option set to Also
(refer to Section 3.6).
• Display the image (refer to Section 3.7).
• Process the image (refer to Section 3.8).
You can use the SBIG Test Lens to take indoor test exposures and get familiar with the camera
operation. Also, if you happened to have purchased a camera lens adapter for your CCD Camera
you can also use that to take test images during the day: