"Hole" in stars in new Sharpcap - anyone else have this issue ? - Forums

Topic starter

May 28, 2025

Hello all!

I applied the latest Sharpcap update and suddenly all of the preview image stars and objects have giant holes in them! They kind of appear like out of focus stars on an SCT (screen shot of the Cat's Eye nebula core below) - I checked for (and installed) the latest ASI driver update (I'm using the ASI6200) and I checked right away with ASI Studio and the display there is fine - the acquired images (in ASI and SharpCap) are fine too. Can't seem to find a feedback channel in Sharpcap without singing up for an account. Just want to make sure that I'm not the only one with this issue!

Engaging

AlexFilothodoros

May 28, 2025

Hi, it looks like they are being clipped because they are too bright. Are there any settings for adjusting the brightness of this Sharpcap window?
Could you also measure the ADU levels of these dark spots?

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Tim Hawkes

May 28, 2025

Not seen that and I am using the latest version so probably a strange setting. Robin Glover normally answers queries quite quickly

Tony Gondola

Frequent contributor

May 28, 2025

You have the camera set to maximum gain. When you do that the dynamic range goes down to almost nothing. Try backing that off and see if the clipping goes away.

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AstroRBA

Topic starter

May 28, 2025

Thanks to all for the suggestions; I don't think it's clipping or gain as it's exactly as I have always set it for plate solving and focus etc. in the prior versions. As I said, the aquired frames are fine so it's not really causing an issue other than appearing very strange looking … (and also ASI Studio displayed it properly at the same settings)

Tom Marsala

May 28, 2025

Very strange. I have just updated myself but have not been outside with it yet. I'll let you know what I find.
Tom

Mike

May 28, 2025

There is a check box in sharp cap labeled mask bright pixels.

alpheratz06

Jun 1, 2025

Definitely clipping or masking of high lights pixels
Regards

AstroRBA

Topic starter

Jun 1, 2025

Mike:
There is a check box in sharp cap labeled mask bright pixels.

Yes! Many thanks! That was it - not sure how it got turned on' maybe it's a new default for the update?

Icharuss

Jun 3, 2025

Mike:
There is a check box in sharp cap labeled mask bright pixels.

Yes! Many thanks! That was it - not sure how it got turned on' maybe it's a new default for the update?

Nope... it's been there for a while now. It can get frustrating some times when there are so many little settings to take care of. Glad that you figured it out.