Stepping back to the Toucam with an Achromat

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Last night was an Astronomers Dream. Perfect sky!

I wanted to compare the new DSI with the old Toucam so I spent a bit of time with each.

As hard as I tried, and as crisp as I could focus, somehow the El-Cheapo webcam Toucam still gives better stars and detail than the DSI.

Whereas, the DSI captures images in a far shorter time due to better sensitivity.

Not to be done with the experimenting, I also took the Toucam out of the ED80 and put it into the 120mm Achro guidescope to see how the Achro responds.
I found that due to the larger apature, the 120mm allowed me to get detail in a much shorter time which, in turn, reduced the amount of Amp Glow I normally battle with.

Below are 2 images taken with the Modified Toucam thru the Saxon 120mm f5 Achro, Astronomiks IR/UV filter and 0.6x FR.

Neither of them are fantastic, but it was fun experimenting

1. NGC 253
2. 47Tuc

[DJDD]

it would have been interesting to see the comparison shots for the DSI and the exposure times on the ED80.

thanks for sharing the shots.

[Karls48 (Karl)]

Hi Ken, I also gave up on using DSI Pro as the imagining camera. Two days ago I spend whole night comparing DSI to GStar and it become obvious it is not worth of bother to try imagining with DSI. With 1.5 min exposure I cannot capture stars I can see clearly in 26mm eyepiece. With GStar 2.6 sec exposure I can get image that would take many minutes of exposure with DSI.
But on other hand I’m quite happy with auto guiding capabilities of DSI. With Autostar controlled mount (and I got two of them) it works with Envisage – no other software or bits and pieces required. It needs fairly bright star to guide on mainly because with ETX-105 I have to set exposure to 0.005 sec to keep guide star centred. I’m sure that with EQ5 mount fitted with Autostar it will guide well.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by DJDD

it would have been interesting to see the comparison shots for the DSI and the exposure times on the ED80.

thanks for sharing the shots.

I didn't actually keep any of the images from the comparison. It was really only for my own curiosity.

If I remember, next night out I will save some of the images from both cameras in the ED80.

Until then I can describe the difference: (both with good focus and Astronomiks IR/UV filter) The DSI made even very small stars into large pixelated crosses and other shapes. Large stars became enormous odd shapes or blobs.

The Toucam gave nice fine small stars and large stars were a bit blobby but atleast they were round. But took a lot longer to capture the same amount of light (inducing Amp Glow).

These explanations are what was on the monitor, and in the file after capture.

[EzyStyles (Eric)]

ken, great images once again from the toucam. Don't give up on the Meade DSI. You just need to learn how to drive the thing properly. I don't believe that the toucam/gstar etc can out perform the DSI. If you need any help, shoot me a pm anytime mate. keep em coming!

Quick Tip: The magic trick is to use the "preview" button. set exposure to eg: 84 seconds then click preview. if it is overexposed, adjust the histogram sliders until it isn't. once it is all set and you like the way the image appears, click "start" and let it be. goodluck. If i got sometime, i see if i can quickly wack a tutorial together.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by Karls48

Hi Ken, I also gave up on using DSI Pro as the imagining camera. Two days ago I spend whole night comparing DSI to GStar and it become obvious it is not worth of bother to try imagining with DSI. With 1.5 min exposure I cannot capture stars I can see clearly in 26mm eyepiece. With GStar 2.6 sec exposure I can get image that would take many minutes of exposure with DSI.
But on other hand I’m quite happy with auto guiding capabilities of DSI. With Autostar controlled mount (and I got two of them) it works with Envisage – no other software or bits and pieces required. It needs fairly bright star to guide on mainly because with ETX-105 I have to set exposure to 0.005 sec to keep guide star centred. I’m sure that with EQ5 mount fitted with Autostar it will guide well.

Karl, the DSI may not image as good as other cameras, but it has taught me how to use other programs which took me out of my comfort zone

I have only ever captured Long Exposure images with 'Desire' which is a click and save program. Easy!
All of a sudden I had to jump in the deep end and learn about Gain and Offest, Combine, Fits, Tiffs, etc.

It has all been good or I would still be back in the Cave days scratching galaxies on the Cave wall

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by EzyStyles

ken, great images once again from the toucam. Don't give up on the Meade DSI. You just need to learn how to drive the thing properly. I don't believe that the toucam/gstar etc can out perform the DSI. If you need any help, shoot me a pm anytime mate. keep em coming!

Quick Tip: The magic trick is to use the "preview" button. set exposure to eg: 84 seconds then click preview. if it is overexposed, adjust the histogram sliders until it isn't. once it is all set and you like the way the image appears, click "start" and let it be. goodluck. If i got sometime, i see if i can quickly wack a tutorial together.

Thanks Eric, no doubt there is a lot to learn with this Camera.

Please, not another Tutorial! I have read so many I have gone goo-goo eyed

Unfortunately, I am a 'see and do' learner. I've never been any good as a 'Read and do' learner.
Show me once, I'm OK. Read it 40 times and I'm still stuck

[mill (Martin)]

Ken i have the same.
Seeing it beeing done stays in your head straight away.

[Karls48 (Karl)]

Eric, thanks for tip re histogram, it makes sense. I was using histogram for post processing only. I’m going to give another go. The thing I like about DSI (if I can get decent images) is that it can guide and take images at same time. No need for guide scope.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by Karls48

Eric, thanks for tip re histogram, it makes sense. I was using histogram for post processing only. I’m going to give another go. The thing I like about DSI (if I can get decent images) is that it can guide and take images at same time. No need for guide scope.

Oops, I forgot to say thanks about the tip, Eric. Thanks. I didn't try the 'Preview' button. I will try what you said. I did try the sliders several times but I will keep persisting.

[Heian (Mark)]

Ken,
as well as Eric's comments there is a "Meade_DSI" yahoo group. I noticed you joined the Deep-Sky-Imager group. Just wanted to let you know there is another group, and the info on each site is different. I found the meade_dsi group to have the best tips + tricks Especially on focussing and the use of the histograms..
Just wanted to let you know..

cheers
Mark

[RB (Andrew)]

Good to see the Toucam still producing the goods Ken.
I must admit I've never been a big fan of the DSI's.