Novice, has anyone ever used a.....

[ianB]

Starshoot solar system colour imager IV ?

I am a total novice on a budget and the above imager is within my budget, i was thinking that this may be a good imager for my Nexstar SE 6.

If you have seen or even used the above imager your comments would be appreciated, also if you can recommend any other low cost imager / webcam , that will also be helpful.

Many thanks,

ian


P.S I am basically only interested in the Moon and Planets, i know that for DSO i would need a much more expensive imager.

[ianB]

OK so i found some reviews on this item and apparently its rubbish.

If anyone could offer a suggestion as to what imager /webcam would be good to use with my Nexstar SE 6 that would be VERY helpful as, like i said, i am a total novice and i really want to do some imaging of the solar system

I have a tight budget but i am willing to save for something better, but if you know of something that is basic but gives reasonable results please let me know.

Thank you.

[Screwdriverone]

Hi Ian,

Try a Philips Toucam 880 or 940K second hand, thats what I started with and my planet shots were pretty good considering. They are around $60-$100 range and I think there is one for sale in Icetrade in a post in the mounts and scopes section with other accessories.

If you can afford up to $400, then a ZWO optical camera ASI120MM (mono) or ASI120MC (colour) are a great camera, there is an ad on the right banner>>> where you can buy one. I sold my Toucam and bought a ZWO for planetary and guiding.

Cheers

Chris

[Screwdriverone]

Here is the post with the Toucam, make him an offer on it.

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=123025

Chris

[ianB]

Thanks Chris, i very much appreciate your help.

I have contacted, earlier today, a telescope company who said they had a Philips ToUcam but they have not replied as yet, i will also look at that link and research that other more expensive camera that you suggested, just the helpful direction that i was looking for.

Many thanks.

[ianB]

Re the toucam for sale on this site he is selling his items in Perth only and will not post, but thanks anyway, i will keep an eye on the selling forum.

[Screwdriverone]

Ian,

Yes, he is posting items, see post number 5 which says:

Hi everyone,
I'm actually selling the items separately and posting.
So if you're interested in any of the items please send me a PM and I'll get back you you ASAP.

Thank you, Andrew

Cheers

Chris

[ianB]

Opps, he is now sending via the post, thanks for the heads up.

[Screwdriverone]

Also, if you get the Toucam, don't forget a 2x or 3x APO barlow for about $60 which will boost the size of planets to viewable and recordable size with your 1500mm focal length telescope. Planets are small and with a small webcam chip, you will need a reasonable quality barlow or Televue Powermate to get Mars, Jupiter and Saturn large enough to be able to bring out some details, even with the Nexstar 6SE.

Check out the Guan Sheng 3x APO barlows at Bintel or Andrews Communications

http://www.andrewscom.com.au/site-section-10.htm, go to Guan Sheng and scroll down, there are 2.5x APO barlows for $39 (recommended).

Or from Bintel, a Televue barlow 3x for $149.....might be a bit pricey but good quality.

I personally use a 5 x powermate and my ZWO to get images of Saturn using my 1000mm focal length newtonian reflector such as the one I have attached below, but the 5x Powermate is $249 so this is dependent on your budget, of course, but you get what you pay for.

Start with an APO 2.5x from Andrews and see how you go.


Chris

[ianB]

Thanks for that additional info, i have sent a pm re the toucam.

Lovely photo of Saturn, really good detail in the rings, im always amazed that such good quality images can be obtained from relatively inexpensive equipment.

[Camelopardalis]

+1 on the GSO Barlow, good quality for the $

[OzStarGazer]

Have you got a DSLR camera, Ian?
If you've got a Canon or a Nikon there are programs you can purchase separately with which you can connect the camera to the computer so it works like a webcam, but the resolution is much higher, which should be better of course. So you could use the camera in prime focus and connect it to the computer. That's what I intend to do in the near future.
But if you can get the Toucam at a good price it's good too.

[ianB]

No, no DSLR, the ToUcam i was told about had already been sold sad to say.

I have just put a post in the Beginners Astrophotography forum re the ZWO ASI 0.34M which is just about in my budget at $200

( thanks for the info Chris re the ZWO camera, i can save towards the $400 one but at the moment the $200 i can get sooner )

[ianB]

Opps sorry my post is in the "Beginners Equipment Discussion forum "
Not in this forum.

[Screwdriverone]

Hey Ian,

there is a QHY5 for sale for $190 here http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=123197

Should get you some nice pics of planets and later on, can be used as a proper guide camera, better resolution than the Toucam...

Regards

Chris

[ianB]

Thanks Chris, yes i saw that earlier today, but being the novice that i am i have been trying to do some research about it as my understanding on these things is very limited, as you know.

I am waiting to hear back from a shop that " apparenty" have a ToUcam, if they dont call back i will pm the seller of the QHY5 to ask my questions. ( i.e do i need to purchase anything else to use it on my SE6, i.e adapter? And is the software compatiable with my laptop, Windows 7 home premium, 2 GB RAM 64 bit operating system. )

Thanks for keeping an eye out for me.

Regards,

ian

[ianB]

I have just ordered the Philips ToUcam SOC900NC :-)

[ianB]

I have just ordered the Philips ToUcam SPC 900NC :-)