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  #21  
Old 29-03-2010, 10:03 PM
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Wish I had the gear, brains and know-how.
Thinking of trying to gerry rig something with plumbing plastic adaptors from Bunnings.

Last edited by RobF; 29-03-2010 at 11:09 PM. Reason: (If I had "know-how" I wouldn't have spelled it as "no-how"
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  #22  
Old 29-03-2010, 10:12 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RobF View Post
Wish I had the gear, brains and no-how.
Thinking of trying to gerry rig something with plumbing plastic adaptors from Bunnings.
Being an engineer-in-training, I applied duct tape

Luck also plays a part: the quickcam connect's lens "nozzle" fits right into the base of the finderscope.
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  #23  
Old 25-05-2010, 02:18 PM
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Hi,
I've tried to do the same with a Microsoft Lifecam and a Creative Vista Webcam as well, but in both cases can't achieve even out of focus video to say I need more infocus.
will prime focus work only on certain webcams? or is it to do with alignment of the webcam's ccd sensor to precisely the mid plane of the finderscope?
what else would be required to interface with PHD
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  #24  
Old 25-05-2010, 05:10 PM
adman (Adam)
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Originally Posted by alistairsam View Post
Hi,
I've tried to do the same with a Microsoft Lifecam and a Creative Vista Webcam as well, but in both cases can't achieve even out of focus video to say I need more infocus.
will prime focus work only on certain webcams? or is it to do with alignment of the webcam's ccd sensor to precisely the mid plane of the finderscope?
what else would be required to interface with PHD
I think that you will need to remove any lenses on the webcam itself so that the sensor chip is at the focal plane of the scope.

I am far from expert in this though - maybe someone else can chime in ...

Adam
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  #25  
Old 25-05-2010, 05:41 PM
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hi,
thats what i did.
i removed the lens from the webcam, and the eyepiece or primary of the finder. no joy.
also tried it with a celestron 60mm refractor without its eyepiece, also tried with a newtonian without its eyepiece, but in all cases, i was holding the webcam and trying different focal points. so not sure if it has to be very precise since the ccd chip is quite small.
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  #26  
Old 25-05-2010, 06:24 PM
adman (Adam)
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it might help to know the rough position of the focal plane first. Aim the scope at a nice bright subject (not the sun - just an outside scene will do), then without any eyepieces and with the focuser (if any) racked all the way in, then see if you can get an image in sharp focus projected onto some tracing paper. This is the focal plane. Make a measurement so you know where it is then try the webcam sensor at the same distance.

You might also need to adjust the webcams exposure settings to get a better image....

Can anyone else offer any suggestions??

Adam
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  #27  
Old 25-05-2010, 08:54 PM
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go to a bright star, way easier, you put it there in the center of the FOV then you can hold the ccd by hand and move in and out you will see if you have enough travel in because as the star becomes focused it gets smaller and smaller, and on the other side it gets bigger. if it gets smaller and smaller and doesn't get bigger again, you havn't got enough infocus.

If your looking to auto guide you have a mount that can already track, so that makes it alot easier.

Trying to focus on something in the daylight hours means nothing really as its not at infinity, the focus is at a different point.

Even when looking towards the moon Vs the stars... its a different focal point! hope that helps and good luck

Brendan

PS, if your using a webcam at focal point, i think that you might have to remove the lense of the camera, as it changes things quite a bit, look up the Philips toucam and the modification to get it opperational at prime focus that should get you kicking. if not look at getting a second hand Meade DSI or orion star shoot autoguider, thats the best option if you are wanting to do DSO guided photography!
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  #28  
Old 26-05-2010, 10:46 AM
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thanks. will try again using a bright star.
where can we get the phillips toucam or second hand DSI's?
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  #29  
Old 26-05-2010, 06:50 PM
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most of them can be found second hand now, as they arnt new, and have been superceeded by about 2 or 3 generations. keep your eyes peeled. although the orion star shoot auto guider OSSAG, is about 300 350 at bintel i think? if not try qhy5 from theo or myastroshop.
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  #30  
Old 26-05-2010, 06:55 PM
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There's a toucam going in the classifieds right now for $105
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=61644

QHY5 went off the other day too...
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  #31  
Old 26-05-2010, 07:51 PM
adman (Adam)
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did you have any luck finding the focal plane??

Adam
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  #32  
Old 28-05-2010, 09:55 AM
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Hi yes, I did find the focal plane with the paper as suggested, am just waiting to check with the webcam without the lens and without the finders objective.
i did try it with an slr as well without its lens and looks like i do have sufficient infocus for the webcam. this is the finder on the bintel 8" dob newt.
will post results. waiting for the sky to clear as well.
thanks
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