KB Results

You are here: Knowledge Base >

What guide cameras can be used with a 500/600 Series WSG model?
Last Updated: 04/15/2013

The Integrated Guider Port built into QSI 500/600 Series WSG models is designed to support any camera with 12.5mm of back focus or less that can be attached using C-mount, T-mount or 1.25" filter threads. Many cameras are designed with 12.5mm of back focus to be compatible with CS-mount lenses. CS-mount lenses use the same thread as C-mount (1" x 32tpi) but with 12.5mm of back focus instead of 17.5mm for C-mount.

Guide cameras with greater back focus can be used with the addition of the WSG Focus Adjustment Disk>> or WSG 5mm Spacer>>. The thin WSG 5mm Spacer is placed between the QSI 500/600 Series camera body and WSG cover extending the range of suitable guide cameras to include any guide camera with standard C-mount back focus of 17.5mm.

The guide camera does not need a built-in guider out port. MaxIm and CCDSoft can both be configured to send guider correction signals using the guider out port on QSI 500 Series camera.

The following guide cameras have been tested with QSI 500/600 Series WSG models

Guide Camera Model	Adapter	Comments
• Starlight Express Lodestar	C-mount	Smallest, most sensitive guide camera available for use with the WSG
• SBIG ST-i	1.25" Filter mount	Small guide camera includes a mechanical shutter for capturing unattended dark frames Note: SBIG ST-i not supported by MaxIm LE
• Fishcamp Starfish	C-mount	Requires T-mount to C-mount adapter from Fishcamp Engineering
• Orion Starshoot Autoguider	T-mount	May require WSG Focus Adjustment Disk>> to achieve critical focus†
• Orion Starshoot Imager II	T-mount
• Meade DSI Pro I, II,III	T-mount	Requires low profile mounting adapter*
• The Imaging Source cameras	C-mount	Not supported by MaxIm DL
• Cameras with 17.5mm of back focus	C/T-mount	Requires WSG 5mm Spacer>>

* The low profile adapter for the Meade DSI Pro and Pro II can be ordered from ScopeStuff.
View details here>> (opens in a new window)

† Back focus of the Orion SSAG requires that the WSG Guide Camera Focus Ring be moved very close to its most inward position. Some users have reported that they cannot achieve critical focus with the SSAG with their telescope/camera/filter combination. Guiding typically works fine even if the guide star is slightly out of focus. The WSG Focus Adjustment Disk>> can be inserted between the SSAG and the T-mount Guide Camera Adapter to achieve critical focus with almost any optical configuration.

Tags: guide, guider, camera, WSG, Adapter, GCA