Advice for imaging newbie.

[stephenmcnelley]

Hi, can anyone give some up to date advice on where to buy the Toucam 900nc, modified or unmodified and what might i expect to pay for either?
I am handy with electronics tools so might be able to do the mod myself if instructions are available somewhere, not sure on that yet.
Do these webcams come and go often on the 2nd hand market?
Many thanks,
steve.

[Dennis]

Hi Steve

I think that Matthew Lovell at Telescopes & Astronomy (http://www.telescopes-astronomy.com.au/telescopes002.htm)can supply the 900nc.

Cheers

Dennis

[ballaratdragons]

Steve,

This may help you with your 900C modification.

It also tells how to load the 900C Firmware into the 840k ProII.

http://www.home.zonnet.nl/m.m.j.meijer/D_I_Y/spc900nc.htm

[stephenmcnelley]

Thankyou Dennis, sent an email to that link for prices.

Can anyone recommend some basic accessories or bits and pieces i may need, i have an IR filter already will it screw into the toucam?
Have registax4, some basic picture editors but not much experience with imaging software.
Please keep in mind i'd like to keep it simple at first.

Researching the old webcam threads tonight has been fascinating but doesnt help with being totally up to date with whats available and how so thanks in advance for help.

[stephenmcnelley]

Fantastic thanks ballaratdragons, being useful with a soldering iron and boards i was hoping it might be possible to do the mods yourself.

still need some final advice on any essential extras required to get going.

[ballaratdragons]

I thought you'd like that link Steve.

I am still on a learning journey with my Toucam. You will need the 1.25" adaptor so the Toucam will go into a focuser. There are lot's of capture programs but I still use the original Philips program that came with the camera. It works ok. Some people use K3ccdtools.

If you go long exposure mod, I find the 'Desire' long exposure program the easiest to use.

P.S. My name is Ken, not ballaratdragons :lol:

[stephenmcnelley]

Thanks again Ken, at first i think i will just learn to use the unmoded cam on moon/planets, then with a little more confidence and familiarity do the exposure mod later.
Good to know the Phillips capture program is ok i had no idea about that. There seems to be no shortage in software choices, a complete minefield for the backyard imaging beginner!