TS USB flatfield box with neutral white LED light, dimmable:
With a flatfield image you compensate for uneven illumination of the optics (vignetting), but also for shadows on the sensor caused by dust grains. The image becomes more uniform and thus you can clearly enhance the object and the sky background remains uniform. The result is simply better astrophotos with any telescope or camera lens.
The advantage of LED technology:
♦ LED flat field generators provide a color-neutral image, the individual color channels are evenly strong. This makes the TS-Optics Premium Flatfield Generators well suited not only for monochrome but also for color cameras.
♦ The illumination of the TS-Optics LED Flatfieldbox is very uniform, even at low light intensity, the flatfield generator does not introduce any image artifact into the processing.
♦ Due to the brightness control, longer but also very short exposure times can be realized. This makes the Flatfield generator suitable for all cameras, including those with a mechanical shutter, such as DSLR. With mechanical shutter we recommend at least 2 seconds exposure time.
♦ The LEDs do not flicker, so even very short exposure times with reproducible results are possible.
Stand-alone operation or complete control via computer
The TS Premium Flatfieldbox works independently of the computer. You only need a 12 V power supply. Suitable cables and power supply are linked in the accessories section. Alternatively, you can also control the generator remotely via the computer. This simplifies operation, enables REMOTE use and produces reproducible results. A suitable driver for Windows is included in the scope of delivery.
The computer connection allows you to control your astro images including the FLATS via suitable software, such as the APT.
Link to APT Astro Photography Tool software - control your astro imagesNo reviews by eKomi at this time.
Application tips for the TS Flatfield generators:
Center the flatfield box exactly on the telescope with the four adjustable knurled screws. Always place the box carefully on the telescope to avoid scratching the surface.
You can also use the box on smaller optics. Simply make a suitable ring out of hard foam or wood. The ring should fit exactly over your optics and be suitable on the outside for the four knurled screws of the flatfield box.
General info about the FLATFIELD
A FLAT or flatfield adjustment compensates for various errors that affect the quality of the astro image. The most important are:
♦ Shadowing (vignetting) due to the imaging optics
♦ Shadows cast by dust particles on the corrector, filter ... (donuts)
♦ Irregularities on the camera sensor
A flatfield records exactly these errors and in the course of image processing (calibration) these errors are then subtracted from the image. In the ideal case, exactly the desired data of the object remain. The image shows such a typical flat.
It is important that the basic settings of the camera, such as the temperature, but also the mechanical components such as filter and focuser position, should be the same for the FLAT as for the actual exposure.
The exposure time of the flatfield should be chosen so that the brightness values are about half of the dynamic range (ADU) of the camera. For cameras with a mechanical shutter (SLR cameras), the exposure time should not be too short, otherwise the mechanical shutter will cause uneven illumination (gradient). We recommend at least 2 seconds.
The brightness value of a pixel is measured in ADU (Analog Digital Units). The more BIT depth a camera has, the higher the ADU value. When the maximum ADU value is exceeded, the pixel is "full". The image is burned out. Any good capture program, such as MaximDL, will show the ADU value, which should be decreased in the center of the image where the brightness is greatest.
Bit depth ... Maximum ADU value ... Half for flats16 Bit ............. ADU 65536 .................. ADU 32768
14 Bit ............. ADU 16384 .................. ADU 8192
12 Bit .............. ADU 4096 .................. ADU 2048
8 Bit ................. ADU 256 .................... ADU 128
A good flatfield should be well exposed, it should not be burnt out anywhere, but it should also not have any underexposed black areas.
