How long does it take to auto-focus?

I use Hocus-Focus and my autofocus sessions take between 2 and 3 minutes.

This depends on the image acquisition time you have defined.

I first made a Filter Offset calculation and always use the L-filter for the focus session. My defined time is 10 seconds.

This is IMHO a question of trial & error looking at the result you like.

andrea tasselli · Mar 16, 2026, 07:43 PM

Never did this and I wouldn't but I may have to. So this is the question:

Suppose to have to refocus during an acquisition run using NINA, how long would it take with an autofocuser (any EAF really) to achieve focus starting close to focus. For extra points, which one gives the best/faster results: Hocus-Focus or the built in default procedure?

Thanks

It varies, but generally with a ZWO EAF, it takes a little over a minute with Hocus Focus (1 sec exposure for LRGB, inner crop ratio 0.4, # steps 4) and a full frame camera. The inner crop ratio really speeds things up. I use several different focusers and the time are all very similar speed-wise. For HSO, I use anywhere between 4 and 8 second exposures depending on the scope speed. 4s for my f2.7 Ocal, 8s for my f7.7 TOA-130 . That lengthens the time by about 30-60 seconds.

With Hocus Focus, if you want to save some time, you can turn off “Validate HFR improvement” which takes an extra image before starting and after AF to compare to see if there’s an improvement, but I like having it on.

Rick