After talking to Bert today about my Toucam Long Exposure 'No Telescope' widefield focus problems and being spurred on by Darrens (wombat_in_space) thread about using camera lenses fitted to his Meade LPI
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=12968 , and Asi's efforts here:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=12969 I did some experimenting tonight.
Because I have no camera lenses, I played around with my EP's!
After testing several combinations (you have to use 2 EP's to make this work) and different ways to join them, and extension tubes, yadda yadda, blah blah, I finally struck on a reasonable combination!
The first Combination that worked for me was using an El-Cheapo 'Series 500' 25mm and a 'Series 500' 6.5mm joined by a small cardboard tube. It seemed OK, but gave a slight dark ring around the edge when focused due to the small apature of the 6.5mm.
I then replaced the Series Crappo 6.5mm with a GS 9mm. WOW! what a difference!!! So much clearer
Then I realised that if the GS EP is so much clearer I should use GS for both EP's. So I also replaced the Series Junk 25mm with a GS 25mm Plossl and Zingo Bango! Clear as a bell!!!
Mind you, this test was done inside the house with the Toucam pointing into the loungroom.
Happy with the inside result it was time to try it where it counts, on the sky.
I set up the Lappy and Toucam (with EP's lens) outside and switched it all on.
At first I had trouble finding focus on anything coz the sky was cloudy. Hmmmmm, a streetlight way off in the distance! Yep, looks good but a bit bright, then the clouds parted as if they knew I needed a gap to peer through
A quick fiddle with levels and focus and WOWIE ZOWIE!!! The first time I have seen pinpoint stars on the lappy using the Toucam without a scope!
Instead of the usual 4 pixel square blobby stars, I had single pixel crisp focus pin-pricks! IT WORKS!!!!!!
And then it started to rain
The forecast is for cloud and showers for the next 4 - 5 days
When the sky plays fair, I will set it all up again, takes some pics and see how they come out, but so far so good
Below is a pic of the final combination and how I assembled them. I will mount it on the EQ1 next time so I can track with it.
RECIPE:
The barrel is taken off the GS 25mm and the EP is screwed into the 1.25" adaptor, the rubber Eye Cup is removed and replaced with a Cardboard Tube from a roll of Glad Wrap (and painted black for looks), and then finally the 9mm GS Plossl is inserted into the other end of the cardboard tube. Focus is achieved by sliding the 9mm in and out.
This method may work with other Webcams with a 1.25" adaptor
Thanks for the idea Darren & Asi.
.It's gotta look as rough as guts if it's a DIY!! 
