Advice for a beginner re: webcam

[MickOwens (Mick)]

Hello All,

I am looking for some advice regarding the purchase of a webcam for imaging.

I have recently aquired a Celestron Nexstar 114 SLT Newtonian Reflector (my first scope) with which i am having great fun learning my new hobby.

I am looking to take my first steps towards imaging and after much research it seems that a webcam is the way to go. I have seen lots of references to the Philips ToUcam range (which through my research I understand has been discontinued?)

I am looking to spend $120 - $180 on a webcam at the most at this stage due to budget limitations and as a long time lurker of this great site would appreciate any recommendations as to which webcam would best suit my particular telescope?

I'm not looking for a top of the range camera, just something i can learn the ropes on and possibly upgrade in time along with my telescope as i develop my knowledge and skills! I know from reading that the best i can hope for with a 4.5" reflector will be imaging moon and planets but at this stage that more than suits my requirments...i'll get to the bigger and deeper stuff further down the track. I hope to be in this game for a long time to come so there's no rush.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Cheers,
Mick
Brisbane

[M54 (Molly)]

Hi Mick,
Welcome to IIS.
I'm pretty new too, so I can't answer your question, but you'll soon have some answers from the wonderfully helpful people here.
I'll be watching as well, 'cos I'm interested in the info too.

Molly.

[iceman (Mike)]

Hi Mick

You're on the right track - the ToUcam is still the best budget webcam available.

You can pick up the ToUcam Pro second hand, or the SPC900 / 900nc new or second hand. You might have to look at ebay stores and the like.

Don't forget you'll also need a 1 1/4" adapter and an IR blocking filter. So all up the $200 may be about right.

There's been a few threads discussing ebay stores to get the ToUcam - do a search and see if you can find it, otherwise i'll have a look shortly.

to IceInSpace! Keep asking questions!

[MickOwens (Mick)]

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated. I've been hunting for a ToUcam or an SPC900/900NC on ebay and the like and running into a few brick walls trying to lay my hands on one. Is there a decent webcam available in shops like Harvey Norman, Harris Technology etc that is easily modified and might produce similar results to the ToUcam?


As I said in previous post i'm not looking for earth shattering results, just something i can practice on for a couple of years and then upgrade when i inevitably buy a new scope so dont mind if I buy a 'cheapie' for now and upgrade later. I'd just like to know if any other forum members have had any success with a particular model thats available 'off the shelf' rather than on ebay etc???

Cheers! Mick

[kinetic (Steve)]

Mick,

I'm a webcam modifier from way back.
First place I guess to start, if you want to go down that track,
is Dave M's comparison page here:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/molyned/web-cameras.htm
Here he lists most modifiable webcams in a chart based on CCD
type, software, links to success pages (Mine is on there too I think).

What you want to look for are models that use the ICX 098 AK or AQ
CCD.
Steer clear of the Sharp LZ24BP CCD...too noisy from experience.

Most of Phillips old range of Toucams use the ICX098AK/AQ and the
newer SPC900NC.

The SPC is a VERY easy mod to do...no delicate microsoldering and pin
lifting was necessary. If you are ok with basic soldering it's very easy.
I've done a few.

Also on the page is a link to Steve Chamber's website with lots of good
info and links to even earlier models (Vesta's etc) and a webcam
mod forum called QCIUAG which I have been a member on since 2000ish.

Unfortunately, every few years the newest model supply runs
out and Ebay/2nd hand is the only place to get them until a better
model is introduced.
Currently, to my knowledge, Phillips don't yet have a new model (which
essentially is just the same model re-badged with minor software driver
improvements).
Logitech, however, do have a line of similar models but I have no
experience doing mods on them. Quickcam 3000,4000 etc.

Give me a pm if you are unable to confidently do the mod if you do
aquire an SPC900. We could arrange something.

One final word of advice.
Webcams modded and unmodded are a great entry point into
dabbling in imaging. They are a perfectly satisfactory competitor in
getting good planetary stuff. See some of my Mars stuff here.
http://mywebsite.bigpond.com/astrost...005_steveb.jpg

For Deep sky stuff they are also a good entry point,
but if you want to get serious with them, don't do as I have done
and spend 8 odd years messing with webcams.
You are better to spend your money on an entry level astro camera
like a QHY8 one shot colour or a Meade DSI mono with filters/colour
Much more sensitivity and the dynamic range gives you more to
play with in processing.
Extracting stuff from an 8 bit modified webcam to make a nice pretty
deep sky shot takes a lot of patience and good tracking as well.

FWIW.

regards,
Steve

[MickOwens (Mick)]

Excellent! Thank you very much for all that info and advice Steve, I'm sure it'll help me out a lot in deciding which webcam to purchase! Cheers, Mick.