I know that others have had success running the Ekos focus module with other Canons (e.g. the 650D). There is apparently a camera-menu setting to select the button on the rear of the camera to do AF instead of the shutter button, it won't work without that. Other than that, sorry, can't be much help.

The way this works is to give INDI control of the focus in/out, and then the Ekos focus module runs it. That module is of course purpose-built to focus stars on a dark background via the half-flux radius (HFR) metric; the camera's built-in focus software isn't intended for astro and is hopelessly incapable.

Sorry that I don't know much more about it than that.

As for platforms, I have run on Mac OS a bit and extensively on a Pi 3B and 4B with StellarMate OS; offhand I don't recall what distro Jasem bases SM on, it used to be Ubuntu but it's one of the Debian ones now (much better overall). StellarMate OS will cost you $50 but is usually quite stable and well-maintained, along with direct support from the vendor. It also offers a mobile-device app in the same vein as ASIAir's. I have had the occasional hang or crash on all platforms, as with just about any software that talks to hardware. But on the Pi 4B running StellarMate OS, that happens only occasionally, and usually when I'm doing something like repeatedly pausing, stopping, and restarting a running sequence.

I really like running it on the Pi because:
* There isn't a cable from my computer to the scope
* The Pi sips power, so can easily run all night off the same battery powering my mount and camera
* I can mount the Pi on either the scope or the tripod
* I can use a laptop, tablet, or phone to run the interface, and if one runs out of battery I can just pick up the next one without interrupting the session
* Connecting is very flexible -- the Pi will connect to my home wifi, an Ethernet cable, or put up a hotspot when I'm in the field

This pretty much ticks all the boxes for me. I found StellarMate OS to be much simpler to set up and get running right out of the box, so the $50 was well worth it to me, especially given the regular updates and new features that appear on the platform promptly when they're put into Ekos.

Setting up to boot the Pi off a USB 3.0 SSD drive (StellarMate has a utility for this) significantly improved performance, well worth doing IMO.

Thanks for the tip on the EOS, I'll look for it.

I'm setting up the PI. I'm missing a heatsink (does it get too hot during sessions?) for it, otherwise, it's an 8G, 4b so it seems it fits the bill. Also, I think I have an RTC for it somewhere, not sure if it's plug-and-play or I need to do any config., if you know plz point me to it.

I've considered the StellarMate, yes. I need to understand if the kstars route works for me...

Thanks

The heat is well controlled by enclosing the RPi in a ‘Flirc’ metal case which has plenty of heat dispersing effect especially outdoors. I then mount it with its plastic bottom outwards to optimise the WiFi performance. There are people who fit an RTC, but this will require a higher clearance case, and a different approach to heat sinks. I used to attempt to use a GPS dongle to set the location and the clock time. I had problems with poor GPS reception and interference into the very low level satellite signals from the RPi’s own ‘digital noise’. These days I simply turn on the RPi, use VNC Viewer from my laptop, and set the date and time to match the laptop clock using the terminal command <sudo date -s ‘2021-10-21 21:10:50’>. I don’t need to change the geographical location very often but when I do go travelling I set the location from the data on my iPhone app ‘ScopeTools’. 

If you do want to use your RTC and GPS then here is a YT video about this: 
 

Found the settings... nothing changed on the behavior... back to bathinov masks... Thanks!
 

I am using a Rpi4 with Stellarmate. It took a while to get it all dialed in but now it is a great setup. I use it with a Ultimate Power Box from Pegasus to provide power and a reliable powered USB hub. This is then all mounted on top of the scope. I run all the software on the Rpi, so Kstars runs on the Rpi and I just remote desktop into it. I have an outdoor WiFi access point so the Rpi is internet connected so I always have the right time and I can update easily.

As for focusing I have never got the autofocusing to work reliably. I have motor focusers on all my scopes and I focus in Ekos but I use a Bahtinov mask to achieve focus.

I fitted an RTC module into a Flirc case without any problem. 

Hi

- We use old Dells too. Mainly i3s. Unless you're going to do processing, the amount of memory doesn't seem to make much difference.
- Not sure about the 24-105 for AP, but there are some excellent old fixed focal length lenses from Takumar and Zeiss available on Ebay for under €100 and adapters eos to m42 abundant on AliExpress for next to nothing. Focus once at the start of the session and forget.
- The t7m needs this firmware:
drive.google.com/drive/folders/1eXBCN06U...5QRw9zSO?usp=sharing
Be sure to start the driver in 8-bit.

Cheers and HTH

I used a RPI 4 with 8gb and both Astroberry and StellarMate for awhile. I now use a Mac Mini 2018 model. It has 4 TB ports and 2 USB and HDMI if you wish but I use RealVNC. It has great WiFi and I use a 4TB M2 pcie drive for images. I have run Ubuntu under Parallels on it too but running native on the Mini is easier. It is much faster than the RPI but cost $499 new when I got it in July.

Kurt

Do you use the t7m with a Dell and Linux? And it works?\
I've put that 120mm-compatible on it, but still get the resets. Not sure about starting it in 8-bit... will check that later.
Thanks

How can I start the zwo in 8bit? Cannot find any info on it.

8 bit can be selected from the Indi control panel -> zwo120mm (Or asi120mm, sorry not by an indi box ATM)
HTH

Damn  ... it works