Whirlpool Galaxy

Today I attempted to upgrade my imaging train by replacing the Canon 1200D with a Canon 7D, hoping to take advantage of the 7D’s significantly higher quantum efficiency and improved photon capture. Unfortunately, the experiment was unsuccessful. When controlled through the ASIAir, the 7D entered what felt like an endless exposure cycle—the shutter never appeared to close, and the camera just kept integrating photons without completing the frame.

Rather than lose the entire observing session troubleshooting, I reverted to my trusted setup and mounted the 1200D on the Sky-Watcher 150P, allowing me to salvage the night and continue collecting data.

Based on reports from other astrophotographers, the culprit may be the DSLR simultaneously writing RAW files to its internal storage while being controlled by the ASIAir. That’s a theory I plan to test during the next clear-sky opportunity.