Webcam

OzStarGazer · #1 18-12-2013, 08:51 AM

Hello,

I was looking at this YouTube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_NjY_dLkAY and I thought it is pretty nice. I think it is a good option for my particular scope because attaching a huge and heavy camera is a bit risky and could break it.
This article http://www.iceinspace.com.au/?id=63,201,0,0,1,0#CAPTURE also recommends webcams for dobs.

Any webcam you would recommend for my telescope (the Heritage 130p) and compatible with Windows 8.1 (possibly not very expensive, I don't want to spend more for the webcam than for the telescope...)? The Logitech seems to be cheaper than the TouCam.

Thanks!

ZeroID (Brent) · #2 19-12-2013, 07:21 AM

Almost any webcam can be used to do Lunar, planetary or solar through baader film. Filmed in video then stacked. I started with a real cheap $15 webcam torn apart and mounted via a film cannister.

But if you want to do DSO them you need one that can be modified for longer exposures. Hence the TouCam and now the Logitech models seem to be preferred.

OzStarGazer · #3 19-12-2013, 09:44 AM

Thanks. I've got a very old one (Laser brand) that my father gave me a long time ago, but I never used it. Maybe something can be done with it. Right now though I am also considering buying a new compact digital camera (after Christmas, when prices go down). I've got a very old one and could take some pics yesterday. They are nothing special (although they could be improved with some post-work), but the camera is very old, so maybe with a new camera I can do something and even attach it to the scope with a camera adapter (as a compact digital camera is not so heavy). I have actually found a thread where somebody was successful in doing this with the Heritage 130p, so it is doable. Some of these new compact digital camera are really tiny and slim. It looks like most people take pics either with a compact digital camera or a webcam with my telescope, so maybe the temptation to use my good huge camera was not so good...

ZeroID (Brent) · #4 20-12-2013, 09:04 AM

I have several cameras including a cheap digital 'point & shoot'. I got one of my best moon pix using that handheld to an eyepiece on the Newt. A bit of a fluke I admit but it is quite doable. The best advice is just to give it a go. You can buy camera mounts that will hold the camera aligned with the eyepiece.
You would need to be able to remove the lens (DSLR) to attach a camera into a scope with a T ring and adapter.
A webcam needs to be pulled to bits and the lens discarded. I ended up with just the PC board taped on the back of a black plastic film can which just happens to be 1.25' and fits the focusser. The rest is tracking and focus then process. The basic idea of it is quite simple, getting it all to work nicely is another matter altogether but don't let that put you off.
Experiment, learn, research, rinse and repeat ..

OzStarGazer · #5 20-12-2013, 11:37 AM

Thank you. Yes, I think I will go with a not too expensive compact digital camera too. I will keep my eyes open for after-Christmas sales. A huge problem with the current compact dc I have is not only that it is very old (it was one of the very first digital cameras on the market), but also that even the very best batteries go flat after a few shots with flash. It literally eats them up.
Experimenting is nice (and useful), but a bit risky if you have never done it before... and it costs money if you have to put the webcam in the bin.

I think yesterday I could have taken some nice pics. I could see the craters very clearly. But the moon had a really HUGE halo which made photographing without a filter difficult. (The halo can be improved in Photoshop or similar applications with the "curves" function, but to take a really good shot a filter would be much better.)

redbeard (Damien) · #6 20-12-2013, 01:16 PM

Go The toucam with a firmware update,

this has the btter ccd sensor of most webcams and is easy to use.

Also, the lens simply screws out and you can by a 1.25" nosepiece that screws into the toucam and straight into the eyepiece holder. This is a great way to get started with little fuss. Good luck.

2stroke (Jay) · #7 20-12-2013, 03:08 PM

The toucam is great just for the ease of things, plus you can do a long exposure mod and amp off, also you can upgrade the ccd. For its age it does very good, though if your a DIY grab a Microsoft lifecam cinema if its just for planets as it mind blowing for the price. This link has all the details http://ghonis2.ho8.com/lifecam/lifecam1.html . Alot of guys on SL use them and get very good results and they run rings around the toucam for planetary due to resolution and fps despite being cmos based. Though the toucam /900nc has so many options for a DIY on a tight budget and can even be used later as a budget guide cam, there that many upgrade paths and mods it just makes it a cam thats going to live for a few years more to yet despite it age.

OzStarGazer · #8 20-12-2013, 04:16 PM

Thanks, I had a look at the TouCam yesterday but it was a bit pricey for being second-hand (it was almost the price I paid for the telescope, although admittedly the scope was on sale and I noticed it is now sold out).
But I will keep my eyes open. There was a guy who said he bought one for less than a dollar because he was the only bidder (there was a spelling mistake so it was difficult to find). Everybody also seems to agree it is the best.