Cheap $5 webcam

[Outcast (Carlton)]

Here is a copy of what I managed to achieve with one minute of footage using $5 webcam and Sharpcap stacked in Lynkeos.



Had a very short play in Lightzone but, it didn't get any better...

Very, very bright image & absolutely no detail.. My next attempt will be with my newly acquired Canon 1100d in video mode just as soon as I purchase an adapter.

[pw (Peter)]

At least the subject is a good size in the frame. It's a shame some sort of exposure control wasn't available. I'm guessing that an ND filter would be overridden by auto-exposure or auto-gain or similar.

[OzStarGazer]

If you can see the moons usually you can't see any details on the surface of Jupiter itself because the ISO is too high. But if at a later stage you manage to capture details you can combine the two photos and then have Jupiter with details AND its moons. The ISO is probably automatic in such a webcam though.

[ianB (Ian)]

Just by coincidence i was at the shops an hour ago and saw that very same webcam, JLR 89363 and thought for $5 bucks i have ti buy it and try it out.

I have just loaded to my laptop and it works fine.

So do i need to buy a 1.25 adaptor, i have seen somee on ebay, i just wanted to hmave it conformed by someone who has this webcam that the 1.25 adaptor will fit this webcam.

Also if u use a film cannister with this webcam, i have some, can u write out or link me to directions as to how to do this please.

Finally am i right in thinking that if i capature video of a planet with this webcam all i then need is some free software to stack the images ?

Many thanks.

Ian

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

Ian,
Sorry to say, based on the results so far, you may have wasted your $5....
It just doesn't seem to be capable of sufficient control to be a 1/2 good astro webcam.
I certainly would not recommend spending $15+ to get a proper 1.25" adaptor....

If you do want to try it - use the canister. Cut the bottom out and hot melt glue the top edge central to the camera body.

[ianB (Ian)]

Thanks Ken,
I just brought it on spur of the moment, I will keep a look out for a Phillips web cam as they seem to be the best in the budget range, i dont know if a 1.25 adapter can fit a phillips web cam but i can research that via google.
This looks like it may be a good one for astrophotography.

As mentioned in this thread

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PHILIPS-SPC9...-/151255099914

Mind you if i can find something like this cheaper i will go for that.

ian

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

yes,
you can get the 1.25" adaptors for all the Philip webcams...

[ianB (Ian)]

Thanks, that seems the way to go then.