Advise on webcam

[silusboy]

Hi All,
New to the site, please :help: found an old discussion of the iceman's back in 2005, on Astrophotography with a dob.
I have a Saxon 10". Can anybody advise me on which web cam to purchess on to-day's models as the Phillips ToUcam pro is no longer available, and i would like to give it a go,
The other possible problem i may have is my computer is a Mac.
Thanks in advance

Kerry

[troypiggo]

Often recommended starter is the Philips (Toucam) SPC900NC, remove the lens and replace it with a 1.25" adapter. They're still available around the place. Sometimes referred to as the Toucam, sometimes the SPC900NC.

[iceman]

Hi Kerry

If you're on a budget, the ToUcam SPC900NC or a second hand ToUcam Pro is still the best option if you're starting out.

You can still pick them up from http://telescopes-astronomy.com.au or other online shops like ebay.

Failing that, the DBK21AU04 is a colour webcam from The Imaging Source and is much better than the ToUcam, but also more expensive.

Depends on your budget and your goals.

btw :welcome: to IIS!

[hikerbob]

Kerry before you start give consideration to the total cost of a modified webcam vs a ready made camera with similar capabilities. I've got a SPC900NC but by the time you modify the housing, add in an adaptor, add an IR filter (and I've not tried to do the long exposure mod yet) the price adds up. If you do want long exposure the mod circuits I've seen rely on a parallel port (which most modern laptops don't have so you would need a USB to true bi-directional parallel port adaptor).

The initial price can be deceiving.

Bob

[iceman]

For astrophotography with an untracked dob, you don't need to worry about the long-exposure mod, as you won't be doing long exposures.

You'll be limited to short exposures for the moon and planets.

But Bob is right, even a new SPC900nc plus adapter, plus IR filter is probably reaching around the $200 mark. A new DBK which comes with the filter and adapter is under $400 last time I looked.

[AdrianF]

I bought a new SPC900nc from the US new inc postage for $58US and an adaptor for $12US from a US eBay seller.
It might be an option.

Adrian

[jjjnettie]

Adrian, can you tell us his name? Saves trolling for it.:thumbsup:

[hikerbob]

Adrian I've not hunted around recently so you may be able to do far better elsewhere but a UV/IR filter for astrophotography is currently $75 at My Astro Shop http://www.myastroshop.com.au/products/imaging-filters.asp I did not check on postage.

I enjoy the tinkering but did get to the point where I realised that I was spending a fair bit of money for what was still a hack (with no waranty) and which was not a lot cheaper than similar commercial products. My AstroShop have the Celestron NexImage camera for $299. I don't know how the specs compare. Something I wish I'd paid a bit more attention to before starting.

Bob

[iceman]

For that price, I would not get the NexImage. It's the same as a ToUcam Pro. For $100 more you're MUCH better off getting the DBK21AU04.

[AdrianF]

I bought it about 6 months ago from eBay USA I just did a search on the site. I don't know the company offhand and my PC is not working right now and I am using my iPhone to type this. When I can I will check PayPal history to see if I can get his name.

Adrian

The name of the company is NetDirect Distribution and they were selling through eBay and the price I paid was $66.98US Inc freight.

[MrB]

Not the same guy, but try Peter:
http://www.tan14.com/gears.htm
Has the SPC900NC for 3xx HKD(HongKong $), dunno what the xx's mean... best case 300HKD = ~$48.... worst 399HKD = ~$63
Adaptor to suit is 90HKD.... ~ $15
Paypal.

I'm waiting for a Baader ACF filter from him, posted today, hope to see it before the end of the week :)
Postage for the filter was 40HKD = ~$7
Now, if I had paid today instead of Sunday, I would have saved $5 ;)

[AdrianF]

Have a look at.....
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Philips-High-Definition-Webcam-Pro-with-Headset-Mic_W0QQitemZ110396183800QQcmdZView ItemQQptZPCA_Video_Conferencing_Web cams?hash=item19b42014f8&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1 %7C72%3A1234%7C240%3A1308%7C301%3A1 %7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

Adrian

[kinetic]

That model's got a CMOS sensor Adrian...no good!

[silusboy]

Thanks to all for the info, i welcome any and all advice.

Kerry