New Toucam 2 Pro

I decided after seeing all the posts relating to imaging that it was time to bite the bullet and get one of these cameras. Maybe I might have been a little premature as I already have an Ibot firewire webcam and my laptop has firewire built in to it. For those who dont know what a Ibot webcam looks like, I think the best description is a bit like an eye on steroids. So people, I am going to need some assistance in getting this imaging thing going, obviously as RumplesR lives closest to me, I might see what he can do once his back is on the improve. Paul I can sympathise with you on this, I did something major to my back doing "weights" when I was young and stupid, and ended up in traction..that was fun I can tell you. It still goes "ape" every so often. Word to the wise, look after your backs!!
Any assistance much appreciated people.
BTW I picked the Toucam up from Matthew Lovel at Astronomy.com (he is the guy that pointed me to this forum). He says that there is an upgrade (hardware) that he does to the Toucam to enable it to take DSO long time exposures. New to me with the toucam, but I reckon the knowledgable people here already know of it.
PS. Matthew mentioned he also adds an IR filter to the Toucam, it just screws into the "eyepiece" adapter.
Any comment on this as well guys??
I suppose this post should have been in the photography area, sorry about that..

[Striker (Tony)]

Is this the newer version of the toucam......if not does anyone know if or when the newer one is coming out.....I know gary was talking about it last month......has anyone got an update.

Good luck with your new toucam "Old Fart"

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

There is a well regarded hardware rewiring process, I can dig it up if you want it. It does require you to semi-pull apart your ToUcam and disconnect a few wires and join them to a few others and then resolder them somewhere else As you can tell by this description I don't do that stuff. However I understand that anyone moderately capable with electronics can do the modifications.

I have an IR filter that I bought when I first got my ToUcam but have never used it as its blue in colour.

I'm looking forward to some ToUcam images through that lovely scope of yours. that should really set the bar

The IR filters are specifically built by Matthew in conjunction with a guy from ASSA, so that they are exactly the right wavelength for the toucam apparently. Matthew can explain in more detail if you want to email him.

Cheers

Peter

[rumples riot]

Peter, I will be more than happy to show you all I know not this weekend, but the following ( I will ring and set up a time). The back is on the improve already.

As for the filter, I bought the $60 one and used it once. Now I don't use it at all.

Still if you get the really good one, that is supposed to be really good for picking up fine detail.

See you in a couple of weeks mate.

[iceman (Mike)]

Hi peter.

The ibot firewire may have done the job, as long as you can remove the lens and attach an adapter.

However since you've bought the ToUcam, you may as well use it and play around with it. When you gain experience, then you can give the other webcam a try - though if you want a webcam for actual use in or around your computer, then you won't want to fiddle with it taking the lens out.

The long-exposure mod is useful is you want to start taking deep-space shots, obviously you need an accurate tracking mount for this. Seeker has a similarly modified ToUcam (the Atik version) and takes some great shots with his ETX. If you just want to start on the planets and the moon (much less time consuming and difficult to get right), then don't worry about the long-exposure mod for now.

As for the IR filter, you don't necessarily *need* one, but apparently the images come out better with one. I've yet to see a definitive with/without comparison taken on the same night, same settings, same conditions, but i'm going to perform that test in the very near future.

The $60 IR filter is blue, I bought it, and didn't like it. All your images will come out blue. I replaced it with the $120 edmund scientific one, which is neutral colour and the images come out in the natural colour.

As for settings during capture etc, Paul will be able to help you, and it'll be much easier to show you in person. He can even help to show you how to process your images after, because the capture is only worth about 40% of the final image.

Can't wait to see the results taken through your tak!

Yeah I am really getting interested in this now. I was looking at Saturn last night through the Tak, and it was beautiful even at 500x, the seeing was as good as it has been for ages. Got 6 stars in the trapezium clearly as well, so this scope when seeing permits is a "beauty", mind you it would want to be for the price.

[RAJAH235]

Only 6, ie; A, B, C, D, e & f. What about g and h ??

Damn, that is how much I know, didnt know there was more..oh well back to square one..lol

[RAJAH235]

Sorry Peter, e = 11.1, f = 11.5, g = 16.7 and h = 15.8 mags.
Don't know if your TAK would go down to 17 th mag. (g & h are veeerrryyy faint). Just joshin'.
ps. might be worth a try tho! Good conditions etc, good dark site. What say guys? Bit too faint?

No probs Rajah, I believe the Tak is good to about mag14. so I cant really complain. In any case it is a bloody beautiful piece of technology. I figured when I got it, I have one chance at a great scope, got the approval of the "boss", so go for it. I am pushing 60, so I reckon I deserve a go at something great before i cash my cheque. Seriously the build of these pieces of engineering is something to behold. My biggest problem is I dont have the experience that a lot of the guys here have, but, believe me, I might be an old fart, but I love learning. BTW, the people on this forum are great, it is so nice to have something local. IE in the Australian region. We have magnificent and by enlarge untainted skies here, so it is really great to be associated with a forum that exemplifies this..holy hell, big words, but I think you know what I am trying to get across.

cheers.

Peter