Orion PinPoint 40004 User manual

Orion®PinPoint Telescope Focusing Masks
#40004 58-93mm; #40005 78-113mm; #40006 98-133mm; #40007 118-153mm;
#40008 138-173mm; #40009 158-193mm; #40010 178-213mm; #40011 198-233mm;
#40012 228-263mm; #40013 268-303mm
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Orion PinPoint Telescope Focusing Masks will ensure you achieve a precise focus
for astrophotographic imaging. They take the guesswork out of nding the exact
focus point, which can be difficult when looking at stars on a DSLR’s small LCD
screen or on a laptop’s display when using a CCD camera. Whether you’re doing
planetary, lunar, or deep space photography, a PinPoint focusing Mask will ensure
that your images are sharply focused every time.
The grid cut into the PinPoint mask, which is placed on the front of your telescope,
produces three diffraction spikes when the telescope is aimed at a bright object,
like a bright star. Two of the spikes form an “X”, with the two lines intersecting on
the star, and the third spike moves back and forth across the center of the X as
the telescope’s focus is adjusted. Precise focus is achieved when the center spike
exactly bisects the X. It’s easy to see and correct small deviations from exact focus.
And the whole process takes just seconds!
Orion PinPoint focusing masks work with any type of telescope: refractor, reector,
or Cassegrain. The sizes listed above for each mask indicate the range of diam-
eters they will t (outer diameter of the telescope’s front cell or dew shield). Make
sure you carefully measure the diameter of your telescope’s front cell to determine
the correct mask to use.
HANDLE WITH CARE! This mask may crack if bent too forcefully. Keep it at
when storing it and use care when handling and it will last indenitely.
Figure 1. An Orion PinPoint Telescope Focusing Mask
IN 586 02/17

2
Removing Backing Paper
Your PinPoint mask comes with a protective adhesive backing paper on each side.
To remove it just use a ngernail or knife tip to peel up a small portion at the edge,
then slowly lift the rest off (Figure 2). Be careful not to put undue pressure on the
mask when removing the backing, so as not to crack the mask.
Figure 2. Carefully remove the
adhesive backing paper from the mask.
Figure 3. Attach the three grip
posts to the mask with the included
thumbscrews.
Figure 4. Place the mask over the front of the
telescope, then slide the grip posts inward until
they contact the telescope’s front cell or dew
shield before tightening the thumbscrews.
Assembly
Attach the three rubber-sleeved grip posts to the mask as shown in Figure 3. The
thumbscrew head should be on the logo side of the mask.
Attaching the PinPoint Mask to the Telescope
Loosen the three thumbscrews a turn or two and slide the grip posts outward as
far as they will go. Then place the mask over the front of your telescope. Slide each
of the three grip posts inward until they contact the telescope’s front cell or dew
shield, then tighten the thumbscrews (Figure 4). To make sure the mask is cen-
tered on the front of the scope, adjust the posts so that each is at roughly the same
position in its slot. To ensure a tight grip, loosen one thumbscrew slightly, then
push the grip post inward while pulling the mask gently toward the loosened grip
post. This will make sure that the other two grip posts are contacting the telescope
when you retighten the third thumbscrew.
Now the mask should be well secured in position over the front of the telescope.
You’re ready to focus!

3
Using the PinPoint Mask to Focus
With the mask in place over the front of your telescope and your camera attached
to the scope and turned on, center a bright star in the eld of view. You should see
the diffraction spike pattern on the camera’s LCD screen (for DSLRs) or on your
laptop computer running your preferred image capture software (Figure 5). If the
scope is grossly out of focus you may see the grid pattern of the mask, in which
case you should adjust the scope’s focus to shrink down the grid pattern until it
turns into a dot with spikes.
NOTE: Use a bright star to focus on, not a planet.A planet is not a point source so
it will not work. For planetary imaging you would focus on a star rst, then move
the telescope to the planet for imaging.
A “live view” image is best if your camera or software permits it, because then you’ll
be able to see the results of your focus adjustments in real time, and the focusing
process will be faster. If needed, though, you can take successive still exposures and
review each exposure on the screen, tweaking the telescope’s focus slightly after
each exposure, then taking another one. In either case, you’ll want to “zoom in” as
needed so you can get a clear view of the spike pattern and, in particular, the cen-
ter spike’s position relative to the other two spikes that form the “X” (see Figure 5).
DSLRs often have two or more magnication settings for live view focusing, and
capture programs used with a laptop often allow subframe viewing, which magni-
es the image.
As you turn your telescope’s focus knobs to move in and out of focus, you should
see that center spike move to one side and the other of the X. Make ne adjust-
ments of the focus until the center spike lands exactly in the center of the X; that is,
it bisects the X. Then you’re in focus!
Figure 5. As the telescope’s focus is adjusted, the middle
spike of the diffraction pattern moves left and right of center
of the “X” formed by the other two diffraction spikes. Adjust
focus until the middle spike is exactly centered in the X; that’s
when precise focus has been achieved.
Once focus is achieved, remove the PinPoint mask. Then you’re all set to photo-
graph any object at innity focus.
Focusing for Visual Observation
Although a PinPoint Mask could be used to focus for visual observing, it’s generally
not necessary. It is intended as a tool for astrophotography.

4
One-Year Limited Warranty
This Orion product is warranted against defects in materials or workmanship for
a period of one year from the date of purchase. This warranty is for the benet of
the original retail purchaser only. During this warranty period Orion Telescopes &
Binoculars will repair or replace, at Orion’s option, any warranted instrument that proves
to be defective, provided it is returned postage paid. Proof of purchase (such as a copy
of the original receipt) is required. This warranty is only valid in the country of purchase.
This warranty does not apply if, in Orion’s judgment, the instrument has been abused,
mishandled, or modied, nor does it apply to normal wear and tear. This warranty gives
you specic legal rights. It is not intended to remove or restrict your other legal rights
under applicable local consumer law; your state or national statutory consumer rights
governing the sale of consumer goods remain fully applicable.
For further warranty information, please visit www.OrionTelescopes.com/warranty.
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