Purchasing the right webcam

[Rayleigh]

:help: I'm not sure what webcam to buy for a ED80 Refractor. I am setting up two telescopes for a secondary school.I have had three webcams recommended but am not sure which way to go. I want something versatile that can be used for guidance and astrophotography down the track.

Celestron NexImage USB Camera

Image Source DBK 21AU04.AS 1/4-inch Colour Camera

QHY-5 (QGuider) CMOS camera

Can anyone help or provide feedback on these?
Thanks

[Merlin66]

Well,
I'd suggest getting a stock standard SPC900nc webcam (See the thread on cheap webcams from MORGANS) this will allow you to "cut your teeth" on basic imaging.
I have the QHY5 camera - very nice but I only really use it as a guide camera not for serious imaging.
The D*K series cameras from Imaging Source are basically industrial strength webcams WITH LONG EXPOSURE capablities. I prefer the mono versions (DMK21/ DMK31/ DMK 41) which I use for spectroscopy and solar Ha Imaging. Very good cameras which perform straight out the box.
The NextImage camera is identical (chip wise and performance) to the SPC900nc (See MORGANS) so not really recommended.
Another option you may consider is the Meade DSI II series of CCD cameras. They represent good value for money and again get you started into CCD imaging.
Lastly, you should look at something like the ATiK16ic...this is a cooled CCD camera with excellent characteristics....

[The_Cat]

I, too, am in the market for a camera for planetary stuff but realize that there is a lot more to getting good pics than just buying top of the range cameras.

I'll be watching this thread but need to try to get the best compromise.

For an expert imager top of range means the difference between winning the comp. or not but for us who would like "good" to "very good" (not excellent award winning) what is a good camera.

Jeremy.

[Merlin66]

There are many amateurs who have produced "award winning" planetary images with the SPC900nc webcam on telescopes in the 8" to 10" aperture.
Practise in setting the camera up, getting a good (well - very good) focus! and being able to process the resulting AVI file is the difference between a "Ho Hum.." starting point to a "OOOOh AAAAh" final result.
Astronomical Imaging is a long hard and sometimes expensive road to follow.

[The_Cat]

Good stuff. Looks like the SPC900nc fits the part.

OK. Lets say on one evening I use 3 different cameras with the SPC900nc as the middle one could you as the expert tell which camera took which pic or I being an "ordinary" imager the quality of the camera does not make a great deal of difference at the start.

Jeremy.

[Merlin66]

Subject to the usual issues of seeing, focus and processing - You'd be hard pressed to tell the difference!!
The small pixel size etc has the potential of giving good resolution.

[Merlin66]

Taken with a DMK camera:
http://stargazerslounge.com/imaging-planetary/117825-nice-jupiter-23-10-a.html

Taken with a DBK camera:
http://stargazerslounge.com/imaging-planetary/117076-jupiter-august-6th-im-back-sort.html
Taken with a SPC900nc webcam:
http://stargazerslounge.com/imaging-planetary/99228-mars-2nd-march-another-capture.html
http://stargazerslounge.com/imaging-planetary/98399-some-recent-mars-images.html

[Rayleigh]

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/../vbiis/images/smilies/wave.gif

Thanks for the information and I appreciate the links from Merlin66. Having looked at those I am leaning towards a DBK colour. Although it appears you get better contrast from the mono. What I need to consider is what will get kids excited when taking and processing their first images. After 12 months we could get more gear if the astrophoto part takes off. I need to get a new generation of kids more excited about science via space.

Any thoughts? I've yet to have a look at the Meade II series and the ATiK cooled camera that was suggested.

(Did I mention that I'm getting a SkywatcherBDED80 and a EQ6 pro mount and a 10 inch Dob to push around) I very new to this and very excited just to be getting some gear.

[The_Cat]

Pretty good work !!

Mars is particularly impressive given its small size.

[Merlin66]

Yes,
I'm pretty impressed with Neil's Mars shots...especially as he used a borrowed SPC900nc....mine!!!:thumbsup:
I only wish I could achieve similar results:(

[mswhin63]

It not just about the webcam as I have found out, I use a Agent webcam and can acheive resolution up 1280x960 with little issue. It is also about the drivers, seeing conditions and more recently I managed better results from methods of processing - http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment_browse.php?a=84114. The first image is an earlier image process before changing methods, the last image is a comparision to the first.

I am currently going through a lot of AVI's now and re-processing them, so far I have had consistant improvements in images based on different processing methods.

I will be modifying a few of these webcams in the near future but the biggest problem is the massive time delay on camera adaptors.

[Colin_Fraser]

I suppose another option that could not be ruled out is the GSTAR-EX.
Don't know enough about any of them to make a qualified recommendation but for my purpose, I am leaning strongly to the GSTAR.

[Rayleigh]

Hi Colin,


:question:Just wondering why you're leaning towards the GSTAR X ?

Regards

Rayleigh

[ballaratdragons]

Hmmmm . . me too

[Colin_Fraser]

Hello Rayleigh,
Since my last post I noticed a DMK 41AU02.AS. I think I like that one better.

The reason I like the GSTAR-EX is just a result of my research. I like the way you can record to a VCR or DVD or connect it straight to the TV.
I like the ease of use. I don't have the means to or desire to take long exposure shots.

Seems relatively simple to operate and the images they take look okay to me.
Drawbacks? Well yes. You need a method of capturing the video to the PC or laptop and the technology is a bit old.

I will have to do more research but the DMK looks good now.

[ballaratdragons]

Colin, talk to me on the weekend at Camp.
You saw what I was doing when you came over last week :thumbsup:

[Colin_Fraser]

Hello Ken. Going to Dunkeld for that weekend. Neice is getting married.
Give you a call during the week.

[ballaratdragons]

:thumbsup: BEFORE you buy a camera.