Live demonstration of Fast Stacker 2.0 in 4K: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0yAh84A31Y
It's been 5 years, and I am finally releasing a completely rebuilt version of my Fast Stacker (automated focus stacking rail) - v2.0, with much better hardware and significantly improved software. The highlights:
- It is faster (10 mm/s) and more accurate (0.6 microns microsteps), so in principle magnifications up to 60:1 can be handled.
- It is much more reliable (completely re-written motion algorithm, plus impulse noise suppression resulting in no more fake limiter switches triggering).
- It is more usable. E.g., backlash compensation can now be done in either direction (so the camera can be pointed up or down).
- It is much more convenient - UI is significantly simplified and improved. Color higher-resolution display is a big help. The controller now has a large Help menu (so no need to print a guide and carry it with you).
- All the important parameters can now be typed in using a new Editor mode. (So one can use arbitrary values for the distance between shots etc.)
- Batteries compartment (8xAA) is now built into the controller, and it also has a power switch. So it's easy to switch from batteries to a power adapter and back.
- The controller is 3D printed, and I also designed the PCB which can now be manufactured professionally.
- Some extra niceties: red/green LEDs reflecting the state of the camera (AF / shutter), a small buzzer used for a few functions.
- Important: telescope support was removed in v2.0.
- And of course, there is always a catch. The catch: the project is now somewhat more expensive (extra 30$ or so), the controller is larger and heavier.
Updated documentation: https://pulsar124.fandom.com/wiki/Fast_Stacker
The older version (v1.x) discussion on this forum: http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... &start=120