focusing pains

Hi, what's the best way to get well-focused images through the OTA (I have a C8)? My camera is an EOS digital rebel and I get really tired of fighting the matte focusing screen, which prevents focusing on anything but very bright stars. I tried a cheapo split-image screen for this camera, but it was a pain too. As far as I can find, there is not a transparent screen available for this camera.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

There are at least a dozen ways to focus a DSLR. Using the viewfinder is one of the less effective.

The current thinking is to use a Bahtinov Mask. Use Live View and a bahtinov mask is the no-nonsense way to get it done. If you do not have live-view, use a four second exposure and the mask.

You can also use the focusing routines in Images Plus and a number of other software programs, or even the camera control software that came with the camera. All this requires a laptop.

Alex

I use one of these

http://www.stellar-international.com/

It gets me very close, then I have to do touch ups with the viewscreen. I find that when using this with my WO66, the touch ups are far fewer than my C8. I suspect this might have something to do with the fact that the focuser on the C8 is less precise.

Clear Skies