Making an astrocam from a webcam

Jen · #1 29-03-2009, 12:51 PM

Wow this looks cool i came across this last night
It looks easy if i was technically minded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1auT...om=PL&index=47

marki · #2 29-03-2009, 02:57 PM

Hey Jen, I don't think this would be easy even for those with technical ability. The gentlemen has left out most of the detail although it would be fun to try. Imagine trying to remove one of those little chips from a webcam without damaging it let alone soldering wires back onto those tiny terminals

.

Mark

Jen · #3 29-03-2009, 03:44 PM

yeah true it dosnt really show all the fiddly bits does he

Jen · #4 29-03-2009, 04:08 PM

33 reviews and only 2 replies
has everyone ran off to pull their old fridges apart

TrevorW · #5 29-03-2009, 04:16 PM

When all said and done it's easier to spend the $$$ to buy a modified Toucam that you know will work

Cheers

marki · #6 29-03-2009, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevorW

When all said and done it's easier to spend the $$$ to buy a modified Toucam that you know will work

Cheers

But what about the fun factor Trevor? You know, two magnifying glasses gaffa taped to your head as your eyes strain to see the tiny parts whilst melting huge amounts of solder across all of the terminals. The muscles in your stomach cry enough as the tension reaches boiling point and you throw the circuit board across the room ......

.

Hmmmm I might have tried this ......

Mark

Jen · #7 29-03-2009, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevorW

When all said and done it's easier to spend the $$$ to buy a modified Toucam that you know will work

Cheers

Yep Trevor i think i will just have to save my pennies up and buy one im not smart enough to try making one of those but hey i do like a challenge

Quote:

Originally Posted by marki

But what about the fun factor Trevor? You know, two magnifying glasses gaffa taped to your head as your eyes strain to see the tiny parts whilst melting huge amounts of solder across all of the terminals. The muscles in your stomach cry enough as the tension reaches boiling point and you throw the circuit board across the room ......

.

Hmmmm I might have tried this ......

Mark

yep that would be me after 5 minutes throw it across the room and then jump up and down and stomp on it

xelasnave · #8 29-03-2009, 06:38 PM

Hey Jen have a go... I made one using a $29-95 key chain cam... basically take out its inside and fix it to an ep tube... worked ok for the Moon and I was very pleased way back then... I built a couple out of early cams.. but I must say I prefer the 450d canon for deep sky

alex

Jen · #9 29-03-2009, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xelasnave

Hey Jen have a go... I made one using a $29-95 key chain cam... basically take out its inside and fix it to an ep tube... worked ok for the Moon and I was very pleased way back then... I built a couple out of early cams.. but I must say I prefer the 450d canon for deep sky

alex

yeah this one looks much easier what this guy did but im not sure how good the results would really be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9khTIkwNmW8

Hi Alex you been pretty quiet these days
havnt seen u around much lately

Baddad (Marty) · #10 30-03-2009, 09:36 AM

For me the electronics appears no great challenge.

I'd be inclined to check out the resolution qualities of the chips, specifications, etc. and purchase discreet components. Perhaps then build a camera.

That way I can achieve a better product.

But first I need to learn how to "Astronomize". ie. Learn how to use a scope to view the stars.

Thanks for bringing that to our attention "Green Slave". The more I think about it the more interesting it becomes.

It will go to the back store room until I become proficient with my Celestron 8SE SCT. Maybe then I will tear down the fridge.

Jen · #11 30-03-2009, 05:21 PM

Awsome Marty let me know how ya go we could go into business here
Need a hand ripping the fridge apart ?

Chillie (Henry) · #12 31-03-2009, 12:23 AM

Hey Jen,

Just get yourself one of these:

http://camerahousewa.com.au/skywatch...ele-p-815.html

That's what I did. It'll be a while before I use it though.

Robert9 (Robert) · #13 31-03-2009, 05:47 PM

Looks like a much simpler option.

Jen · #14 31-03-2009, 11:32 PM

hey that looks easy to use yep i think i could handle one of those what program does it run off?

Chillie (Henry) · #15 01-04-2009, 12:12 AM

I don't know. I hope that it comes with software. My order is still listed as "Pending". So I won't know until it gets here.

If my order is approved, I'll just be doing observation astronomy to start with before attempting imagery.

Jen · #16 01-04-2009, 12:26 AM

Yeah good idea just come in here and perv on everyone elses pictures hehehehe