ccd surveilance camera.

[JJDOBBER79]

Hi DIYers,
I have, (at work) a high end ccd surveilance camera that no longer works. Can I buy a cheap webcam and switch the lenses or is this too difficult. its probably just going to get thrown out so if its doable, it will be worth a shot. I am very inexperienced with this but I imagine there will be a couple of wires that connect the lense to a pcb. can I just disconnect and reconnect in exactly the same spot or am I dreaming.
I realise that DSO imaging will not be likely but it could be a good planetary lense.

[pdalek]

A surveillance camera has to provide a good image under a wide range of lighting. It can do this in several ways
1 - adjusting the effective aperture of the lens
2 - adjusting the exposure time
3 - both 1 and 2

To allow control of the lens aperture, a cable links the camera and lens. The camera will often have one or more switches that set the type of exposure control.
See http://www.supercircuits.com/media/docs/pc165hr-manual-nb.pdf for an example.
If you can find the manual for your specific camera, you can work out the lens control signals for your lens.

If you want to use the lens on a simple camera for astro shots, you will need to drive the lens to full aperture using a separate external circuit. Simple cameras do not produce the required signals.
See http://computarganz.com/misc/Computar_Lens_Tech_0208.pdf for ways to externally control a lens.

You may need an adapter to physically mount the lens on a new camera. Most CCTV lenses are C or CS mount. These have the same thread but different lens to sensor distances.
You may need to fine tune the spacing to get focus.

[JJDOBBER79]

Thanks Patrick, this sounds a bit too challenging for me. Maybe I will wait a while before I get involved with AP. Its all very expensive as well :sadeyes: