APT has two modes of operation depending on the camera you are using - DSLR (Canon EOS, Nikon) or CCD/CMOS (ASCOM / INDIGO/ INDI compatible, SBIG, ZWO, QHY, Altair Astro, ToupTek, RisingCam, OGMA, Lacerta, MallinCam, Omegon Pro, Orion StarShoot G, Explore Scientific, Bresser,SVBony). Here are the instructions how to make the initial connection to your camera depending on its type.
In rare cases there is need to start APT using the "Run As Administrator" option in order to resolve camera connection problems. When it is started this way, you have to use the same option for PHD, Planetarium and the other applications that APT can communicate with. Here are mode ideas how to solve connection problems - Modern CMOS camera troubleshooting
If Shift key is pressed during APT start, the automatic connections to devices like camera, mount and etc. will not be made.
Starting with Canon EOS camera:
On the first start APT starts in EOS mode. If you use EOS model with processor Digic 6, 7, 8, X or 4+ you can simply connect your camera to the computer, turn it on and click on Connect button in Camera Tab. If you use Digic 2, 3, 4, 5, 5+, camera, hold the Shift key and click on Connect button in Camera Tab to open the Camera Selection dialog box and select the corresponding Digic generation. Click on OK, connect your camera and turn on your camera, then click again on Connect button. APT will remember your selection, so next time you can simply click on Connect button. If you use more than one imaging camera at the same time see Multi-Camera Operation section.
Information about the Canon EOS models including the built-in processor can be found in the Canon EOS Matrix page on the APT site.
Note: For EOS 1300D (T6, X80) select the option Digic 6, 7, 8, X, 4+!
2. Starting with Nikon camera:
Connect and turn on your camera. After that hold the Shift key and click on Connect button in Camera Tab to open the Camera Selection dialog box. Select the Nikon Camera option, then select model from the Models list box and click OK. APT will remember your selection, so next time you can simply click on Connect button. If you use more than one imaging camera at the same time see Multi-Camera Operation section.
Information about the Nikon models can be found in the Nikon Matrix page on the APT site.
Note: Make sure auto-focusing is set the MF (manual focus) in the camera menu.
3. Starting with ASCOM compatible CCD/CMOS camera:
Connect and turn on your camera. After that hold the Shift key and click on Connect button in Camera Tab to open the Camera Selection dialog box. From the dropdown list named CCD select the option "ASCOM Camera". Click on OK and you will see the standard ASCOM dialog box for selecting the driver for your camera. APT will remember your selection, so next time you can simply click on Connect button in order to use the previously selected driver. If you want to change the driver or the camera type use again Shift+Connect. If you use more than one imaging camera at the same time see Multi-Camera Operation section.
If your ASCOM compatible camera is color and you want to see color preview of the images, enable "Color FITS Preview" and select the corresponding Bayer matrix configuration. You can enable/disable this feature later from CCD Settings tab.
Note: Both, the ASCOM platform and the camera ASCOM diver, have to be installed!
Note: If you have filter wheel and want to define gain value per filter and/or auto focusing exposure per filter, describe the used filters in Filter Wheel settings tab.
4. Starting with SBIG CCD camera:
Connect and turn on your camera. After that hold the Shift key and click on Connect button in Camera Tab to open the Camera Selection dialog box. From the dropdown list named CCD select the option "SBIG Camera". From the "Port" list box select the port where your camera is connected. If you use SBIG filter wheel then select the model form the "Wheel" list box. Click on OK. APT will remember your selection, so next time you can simply click on Connect button. If you use more than one imaging camera at the same time see Multi-Camera Operation section.
If you have filter wheel, make sure to describe the used filters in Filter Wheel settings tab.
If your SBIG camera is color and you want to see color preview of the images, enable "Color FITS Preview" and select the corresponding Bayer matrix configuration. You can enable/disable this feature later from CCD Settings tab.
5. Starting with INDIGO/ INDI CCD camera:
Connect the camera to the INDIGO/ INDI device and turn it on. Make sure that you have connection to the INDIGO / INDI server. After that hold the Shift key and click on Connect button in Camera Tab to open the Camera Selection dialog box. From the dropdown list named CCD select the option "INDIGO/ INDI Camera". Click on OK and you will see a dialog box for selecting the driver for your camera. APT will remember your selection, so next time you can simply click on Connect button in order to use the previously selected driver. If you want to change the driver or the camera type use again Shift+Connect. If you use more than one imaging camera at the same time see Multi-Camera Operation section.
Note: If you have filter wheel and want to define gain value per filter and/or auto focusing exposure per filter, describe the used filters in Filter Wheel settings tab.
If your INDIGO/ INDI camera is color and you want to see color preview of the images, enable "Color FITS Preview" and select the corresponding Bayer matrix configuration. You can enable/disable this feature later from CCD Settings tab.
6. Starting with ZWO CCD / CMOS camera:
Connect and turn on your camera. After that hold the Shift key and click on Connect button in Camera Tab to open the Camera Selection dialog box. From the dropdown list named CCD select the option "ZWO Camera". If you use more than one imaging camera at the same time see Multi-Camera Operation section.
Note: If you have filter wheel and want to define gain value per filter and/or auto focusing exposure per filter, describe the used filters in Filter Wheel settings tab.
If your ZWO camera is color and you want to see color preview of the images, enable "Color FITS Preview" and select the corresponding Bayer matrix configuration. You can enable/disable this feature later from CCD Settings tab.
You can control the camera specific options from the Settings button in Camera Tab.
7. Starting with QHY CCD / CMOS camera:
Connect and turn on your camera. After that hold the Shift key and click on Connect button in Camera Tab to open the Camera Selection dialog box. From the dropdown list named CCD select the option "QHY Camera". If you use more than one imaging camera at the same time see Multi-Camera Operation section.
Note: Make sure to install the latest All-In-One driver from the QHY Downloads page!
Note: If you are using older model with CCD sensor (not CMOS camera) make sure to install the system driver and the ASCOM driver from the section "Classic CCD DEVICES" of the QHY Downloads page and make the connection via the ASCOM Camera.
If you have QHY filter wheel connected directly to the camera, make sure to describe the used filters in Filter Wheel settings tab.
If your QHY camera is color and you want to see color preview of the images, enable "Color FITS Preview" and select the corresponding Bayer matrix configuration. You can enable/disable this feature later from CCD Settings tab.
You can control the camera specific options from the Settings button in Camera Tab.
Connect and turn on your camera. After that hold the Shift key and click on Connect button in Camera Tab to open the Camera Selection dialog box. From the dropdown list named CCD select the option for your camera brand. If you use more than one imaging camera at the same time see Multi-Camera Operation section.
Note: If you have filter wheel and want to define gain value per filter and/or auto focusing exposure per filter, describe the used filters in Filter Wheel settings tab.
If your camera is color and you want to see color preview of the images, enable "Color FITS Preview" and select the corresponding Bayer matrix configuration. You can enable/disable this feature later from CCD Settings tab.
You can control the camera specific options from the Settings button in Camera Tab.
9. Starting with PlayerOne CMOS camera:
Connect and turn on your camera. After that hold the Shift key and click on Connect button in Camera Tab to open the Camera Selection dialog box. From the dropdown list named CCD select the option "PlayerOne Camera". If you use more than one imaging camera at the same time see Multi-Camera Operation section.
Note: If you have filter wheel and want to define gain value per filter and/or auto focusing exposure per filter, describe the used filters in Filter Wheel settings tab.
If your PlayerOne camera is color and you want to see color preview of the images, enable "Color FITS Preview" and select the corresponding Bayer matrix configuration. You can enable/disable this feature later from CCD Settings tab.
You can control the camera specific options from the Settings button in Camera Tab.
10. Starting with SVBony CMOS camera:
Connect and turn on your camera. After that hold the Shift key and click on Connect button in Camera Tab to open the Camera Selection dialog box. From the dropdown list named CCD select the option "SVBony Camera". If you use more than one imaging camera at the same time see Multi-Camera Operation section.
Note: If you have filter wheel and want to define gain value per filter and/or auto focusing exposure per filter, describe the used filters in Filter Wheel settings tab.
If your SVBony camera is color and you want to see color preview of the images, enable "Color FITS Preview" and select the corresponding Bayer matrix configuration. You can enable/disable this feature later from CCD Settings tab.
You can control the camera specific options from the Settings button in Camera Tab.
Related videos: 
