Some toUcam questions

[hj47]

Hey Hey

Have a few questions 'bout the toUcam pro II 840k. I understand you can buy the standard 'out-of-the-box' toUcam pro II , or the modified version for longer exposures and the like. The modded version is considererably dearer than the standard cam, but is it worth the extra money for someone starting out with CCD astro-imaging?

Also I have a question about the adapter that fits into the toUcam pro II. The adapter screws into the cam, and then is fitted onto the telescope (in my case the meade LX60 8"). But I'm a bit unclear about where exactly the 1.25" adapter fits.
The webcam and the adapter, I am assuming, is all I need to start imaging... or have I left something out?

Someone enlighten me :help:

[matt]

If you want to use the Toucam for DSOs ... then yeah, you'll need to spring the extra $$$ for the long exposure modification.

To be honest, the Toucam is much better at planetary than deep sky, although that shouldn't stop you having a go if that's what you're interested in. Some guys here on IceInSpace have managed reasonable results.

Keep in mind planetary imaging is a different animal to imaging deep sky objects where you really need to get your tracking working nicely.

The adaptor screws in to the same thread as the lens which comes in the box with the Toucam which you can throw away, unless you plan to use the Toucam for its intended purpose as a webcam.

Yep... Toucam and adaptor are all you need to get started. All you do is slot into into the eyepiece holder and away you go!!!:thumbsup:

[davidpretorius]

Hi,

the 900nc (next model up from the 840k) is reasonable, but to be honest, you would soon get cranky with the results.

As matt says, stick to the toucams for planetary and look at saving the money in buying a great solid mount and then look at maybe as a starter a canon 400d etc.

The focal length of the toucam tends to act like a 6mm eyepiece which most of the time is WAY too much magnification

The 1.25" adapter should go where you normally put your eyepiece.

Keep asking questions

davo

[stephenmcnelley]

Focal reducers can help the toucam FOV for prime focus i am told.

[bertthebudgie]

You will also need to collect some (free) software to capture the data. I currently use KC3tools which you can get http://pk3.org/Astro/

You also need to get software to stack the images such as registax. Oh and a good laptop with lots of memory recommend 1gig.

Webcams can be modified to take long exposures and I understand the modification works out cheaper then the commercially available meade dsi etc. You then have a camera for both deep sky and planetary. But there is a very steep learning curve!!

[stephenmcnelley]

The Toucam does come with basic capture software.

[bertthebudgie]

Yes but is is no good. As I understand that it dosent save the files as AVIs but as MPEGs. MPEGs are compressed videos. Although you can turn them back into AVIs to be further processed in registax you will loose some of the data in this process.

[ballaratdragons]

Never throw away the lens!!! :eyepop: If you get the Long exposure mod done, the lens is great for widefields! I have captured some great widefields of the sky using the original lens.




Dunno why that happens to you. I use the original Philips program and it saves them as Avi's. :shrug:

[iceman]

You can use the provided software, VRecord, but only if you absolutely have to.

k3ccdtools is a far better program, easier to use, more features etc. VirtualDub is another capture program that's pretty good.

[matt]

Hmmmmmmmm

[ving]

and whats that mean matty? ;)

its no dslr but you can get a bit of detail out of the old modded toucam with lens in place, ive seen it :)

[matt]

It means what it means vingy;)

You've just assumed what it means and leapt to the Toucam's defence as a DSO cam

Keep in mind I am the proud owner of a Toucam, but even I'm honest enough about its limitations.

If Ken's got a problem with my post I'm happy to chat with him:)

[ving]

heres a guy who does wonders with a modded 840k :)
http://www.simcoeskies.com/images.html

the modded 900nc is even better aparently.

[matt]

And Damien Peach used to perform minor miracles with it on planets... etc etc...

These are our finest examples of what can be done with the venerable Toucam. Not everyone's gonna produce planet and DSO images of that standard, and that's OK.

There's no doubt it's an exciting and affordable way to begin imaging.

I was merely "hmmmmm-ing" out loud wondering what hj47 was hoping to achieve and what his expectations are?

As long as Ken's happy... we're all happy ....

[ving]

yeah i know... its not a dedicated astocam :rolleyes:

depends on what your budget is etc :)
the toucam aint no dmk and even the modded one isnt as sesitive as say... i dont know a sac8. but what can you do huh, gotta work with what you got :)

[sheeny]

It really comes down to what you want to do with it, versus the money you want to pay.

For me, the modded ToUcam was good value. I can do planetary stuff, and I can have a dabble at some DSO stuff. Ultimately its the DSO stuff that I'd like to be able to do, but until I can get set up on a pier/observatory I realise I'm probably never going to be serious about DSOs. But for me, there's heaps to learn doing planetary stuff, and quite a bit more to learn dabbling at DSO type stuff even if not seriously, that makes it worthwhile for me to spend the extra $200 or so. I've got more serious expenditure to make before I launch into a good DSO camera, but I'm still learning valuable lessons in the meantime.:thumbsup:

So while a modded ToUcam doesn't compare with an SBIG or dSLR for DSOs, I still think it's good value as an entry level camera for planetary and to learn some valuable lessons before you fork out the big bucks for that good camera! But if you aren't interested in DSO's, or you want to get seriously into DSO's straight up... by all means question the LE mod.

Al.

[matt]

Spot-on Al.

For the money it's top of my list for what you can do with it. Bang for buck it's a pearler.

But there's always those caveat's... "for the money" .... "good value" ...

It is what is it. Which is a great budget webcam that gives you a great starting point in astro imaging.

I love it and have only (in the last 24 hours) bought a great book to get even more out of mine before I move on to my next big purchase... most likely a Lumenera monochrome CCD camera with colour filters;)

[bertthebudgie]

One other thing that may be desirable is an infrared filter.

This is more the case if you are using a refractor as the lenses will bring the infrared to a focus at a different point to the visable light of your image. Thus the image you get will be not as good quality.

Web cams such as the toucam are especially sensitive to infrared.

[ballaratdragons]

Yeah Matt, come down here and say that!!

Well, it's one way to get you to come and have an observing session :lol: :thumbsup:

Regardless of quality, price, sensitivity, detail etc etc etc I'm having plain old fun with my Toucam.

I agree, it is a great way to start on imaging, but what is supposed to be a 'stick it on ya pooter and lets look at each other' webcam, it does a pretty good job on the sky.

I have lost my widefield images using the little lens (maybe in the lappy that Darren is fixing :shrug: ) but there are some in IIS somewhere.

Here's some pics. They aren't to show that the Toucam is spectacular, they are just to show the fun I have with it :)

1. Here is my best DSO so far with the modded version (47Tuc)
2. Sunspots
3. The Moon

[matt]

Right! That's it then, Dragons!!! See you in the carpark....

and don't forget your scope and Toucam!:rofl:

Cheers, Ken.

And you are spot-on.

The Toucam is a great little cam and loads of fun and for a non-astro dedicated imaging device it does a terrific job of capturing the heavens, particularly planets.

In fact, it would be fair to say it's been something of a phenomenon.

It's not my intention to put it down or belittle anyone's achievements with it.

I'm just saying it is what it is... and if people keep that in mind, especially when it comes to DSO, they'll have the same experience and joy as us without any disappointment.

I think "fun" is the key word here, and that's what it should be all about.

It certainly is with the Toucam:thumbsup:

[asimov]

If you will be happy with this quality (see pics) I suggest going straight for the modded 900nc. The modded 840K...well you simply won't get anywhere near this.

Taken a couple of months ago. 5.5" schmidt newt/EQ5//900nc.

The Swan/Triffid/NGC 2438/M42/The crab.

[asimov]

Oh yeah & before I go, a widefield with the 840K & standard lens;)

[stephenmcnelley]

Ken, Asimov, Mike and many others have set the bar for Toucam round here, i reckon there is more to come too.
Inspiring images guys, - that planetary nebula of Asi's... wonderful !

[sheeny]

Asi!!! What a pilot! There's no doubt you can make a toUcam fly!:thumbsup:

Al.

[matt]

Nice little webcam images.

Definitely pushing the envelope of its capabilities. It don't get much better than this. Maybe a bit better... not much

Keep that in mind stephen.;)

[stephenmcnelley]

Sorry Matt i perhaps should have put your name in that post to.

I wasnt so much refering to me, but the small legion of people that will follow and take advantage of the posted experience of others, and not the least different equipment accesories and software capabilities that are discovered or come along.

CS and kind regards,
Steve

[matt]

Not at all, Steve.

I've never imaged DSO with a Toucam and was certainly not pushing any claim for any acknowledgement in that last post.

The point I was making is what you see there in John's gallery of images, as nice as those shots are, is about as much as you can expect from the Toucam.

Which for many people would most likely be a case of "good enough", and that's great. However, keep in mind you have to be as good as John to pull images like that from a Toucam. It takes good technique and processing skills.

Also keep in mind that's about as much as you can hope for when capturing DSO with a Toucam.

It just gets back to your expectations and budget.

Please don't think I'm coming from a negative standpoint. I'm just offering my opinion. I'm not saying that my comments are categorically right or wrong. It's just my opinion.

:)

[stephenmcnelley]

Your comments are very true mate, no doubt about that!

PS, I am a bit spoilt in that i have access to some very nice gear and imaging, but i dont own what it produces due to intellectual property and copyright laws, besides as i dont own the said equipment (which is a collaborative long term effort between many) it wouldnt be right to put it up for viewing.

I guess the toucam is a fun backyard challenge that isnt too hi tech, but from what i can gather and am learning this sort of imaging sure is a hell of a challenge for all and sundry!
I am personally amazed at what people have done with such a modest little webcam! great stuff.

[asimov]

Matt is pretty well right. There was a LOT of work in those images of mine. It really does come down to continued practice. One can't afford to think 'within the box' either. Experimentation is the name of the game with webcam capture settings.

Even though I own a DSLR now I fully intend to go back imaging DSO's with the 900nc. To get better shots I have to get better at it. The 900nc still has a few tricks up its sleeve I reckon. It continues to suprise me. ;-)

[ballaratdragons]

and it shows, AsiJohn! Top stuff mate!!!

[asimov]

Thanks guys.

[stephenmcnelley]

Great to hear you are going to continue to do imaging with the toucam Mr Asimov, one day perhaps i will appreciate the work involved, but for now appreciating those images and it gives us toucam beginners something to aspire to.

[davidpretorius]

i bought a modded 840k toucam when i first started out with my 10" dob and series 500 eyepieces.

I had a budget and I have had an amazing ride and learning experience because of the equipment.

The 840k still is great for planetary but due to poor tracking, i have never made it work for dso's.

Asimov has produced the best DSO's I have seen with the 900nc.

Would I have changed it, if I had my time over again...NO I would not.

At the time, I did not have the extra $000's for a solid eq mount or the extra $000's for a canon 400d (or 350d at that time).

Did I enjoy my series 500's eyepieces, you bet.

I now only use my $100 eyepieces because they are definately better.

The main thing is to get what you can afford.

A 900nc is almost a must have in my book to get you going. If you can afford the extra $$ to have the long exposure, have a think first to how good your tracking is and give it a rip. The fun you can have on the planets and moon is sooo much fun.

I would challenge anyone on this forum to say they were not excited the first time they viewed the moon or planet zipping across the computer screen from their toucam.

Within a year, you can then have a look at upgrading to a dslr etc