Operating a ToUcam with Long Exposure Mod

sheeny (Al) · #1 24-12-2005, 08:47 PM

Can anyone else with a ToUcam with the long exposure mod maybe tell me what I'm doing wrong?

I took the scope out last night after the clouds disappeared, and as there was still some high cloud about I thought I'd just have a play with the ToUcam on long exposures and see how it goes. I didn't bother much with polar alignment, since I just wanted to get the feel of the camera and software, the conditions weren't ideal and I was using the toucam piggybacked on the scope through a Zuiko 50mm lens, thinking I'd try some wide field shots.

The camera doesn't seem to behave as I would expect. I expect that as the exposure time increases, the image should get brighter - if all other things stay the same. This didn't seem to happen I seem to get as good results from normal video mode as I get out of 5 minute exposures??!!

I played around with M42, the Pleiades, and the LMC with very poor results and as I said, I did a test with just normal video mode at the end and it was similar to what I've achieved on long exposure.

I was using K3CCDTools v2.4.9 last night, but I've downloaded version 3 today and been playing with it again to try to get a handle on it, but no change.

To avoid lots of questions...
I had the long exposure switch on long exposure on the camera;
I have tried the switch in the normal position as well today in case it was labelled back to front;
I am using the long exposure control in K3 to capture the long exposure images;
I have tried both manual and auto exposure control.

BTW I had no noticable star trails in my images, which may be luck, but it might also suggest that despite going through the motions of exposing for 5 minutes, say, it actually only collects light for a much shorter period.

Any ideas?

Al.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #2 24-12-2005, 09:12 PM

It might be a dumb question Al, but have you plugged in both the USB cable and the Parallel Port? I didn't at first. Simple mistake.

sheeny (Al) · #3 25-12-2005, 11:21 AM

No!!!??? I haven't plugged in the parallel cable...

Here's me thinking its a rather unusual alternative to USB... not necessarily part of the long exposure mod...

I'll give it a whirl... but I'll have to source a USB/parallel adapter... my lappy doesn't have a parallel port

.

BTW I like your wide field shots!

Al

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #4 25-12-2005, 10:50 PM

LOL! Cool Al. Hope it works for you.

Merlin66 (Ken) · #5 16-01-2006, 04:42 PM

Al,
How did you go? Did you manage to get the parallel port to connect?
Like to get an update!

sheeny (Al) · #6 17-01-2006, 05:47 PM

G'Day merlin,

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merlin66

Al,
How did you go? Did you manage to get the parallel port to connect?
Like to get an update!

No good yet. I have experimented with the USB to Parallel adapter, but the PC doesn't recognise it as an LPT port

... that's where the problem lies I suspect.

Plan B (currently under consideration) is a PCMCIA parallel card... I have found such a beast on the web, but I'd like to confirm whether or not it will appear to the system as an LPT port before I lash out the readies... anyone have any clues?

Al.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #7 17-01-2006, 06:17 PM

Have no idea!

I have run into a similiar dilemma. Now that the 'Stepper' motor program takes up my paralell port, I have nowhere to plug in the Long exposure! Hmmm

Merlin66 (Ken) · #8 18-01-2006, 07:57 AM

Don't know if it helps but I had similar problems getting WinXP to talk to the Starlight usb/ parallel box. If you check out their web they detail all the software driver patches that have to be installed ( Blockbio.sys etc)
Took three goes/ re-installs before I cracked it!!!
Maybe you need similar drivers on your machine??????

sheeny (Al) · #9 18-01-2006, 04:27 PM

Not sure about needing extra drivers/patches... the system sees the device OK and it works OK on a printer. The system just doesn't see it as an LPT port - it sees the printers as a USB printer when connected through it.

But, I have found a PCMCIA parallel card that they say will definitely register on the system as an LPT port (and they are currently selling at reduced prices).
http://www.transdigital.net/info.htm

So I have lashed out and ordered one.

I suppose it'd be too much to ask for it to arrive in time for Lostock...

Fingers crossed now...

Al.

sheeny (Al) · #10 31-01-2006, 07:18 PM

Just a quick note to tie up this thread too...

The above PCMCIA parallel port card works

. It appears on the system as an LPT port and the camera appears to work in long exposure mode (at least it does some things differently in long exposure mode than it did before, so I'm prepared to give it the benefit of the doubt at this stage.

Just a matter of learning how to drive the thing now!

Al.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #11 31-01-2006, 08:24 PM

Ahhh the sweet sounds of success. Good onya Al for persevering