Taking photos with scope

[roccop]

Hey Everyone,



spent last night trying to take photos with my digicam of jupiter.


I have a Sony DSC-H2 and my sw600 skywatcher.


I was focused in on Jupiter and had my 10mm eyepiece.


It was very clear with the naked eye but having issues trying to take a clear shot with digicam.


I am not a professional photographer and would appreciate advice on learning how to take photos of what i can view with my scope.


I was holding the sony's lense up against my 10mm.

I am considering on modding an old webcam i have to see how that goes but would like to take some snaps too.


Do I attach my digicam to the scope?

What mode does the digicam have to be in ( night, auto, etc)

Am I supposed to remove the eyepiece and put the lense of the digicam into the focuser?

Do I need a barlow?

Please forgive the noob questions but I sincerely would like to learn to take some beautifull images to show family and friends.


Thanks


Roc

[BalderAsir (Nick)]

i'm going to be no help with the digi cam, but from what i've read in regards to the web cams, as i'm wanting to go down the same path as you, a TouCam of Logitech Pro 4000 seem to be the way to go. You really need to make sure the web cam is CCD, not CMOS or VGA. I have read why this matters, just can't recall from the top of my head.

[roccop]

Now that you mention it and after reading many threads and websites its seems that its webcam usage that i am after.


I was so excited to try this tomorrow as i had a couple of webcams sitting around......but now i worked out they are CMOS not CCD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Has anyone tried with CMOS level sensors?

[iceman (Mike)]

Any old webcam will deliver some results, but ultimately you'll probably want to get a ToUcam to start with as it's a webcam ideally suited to astronomy applications like imaging Jupiter.

Is your SW600 on a tracking mount or a dob base?

[roccop]

eq5- equatorial

[iceman (Mike)]

That's good to hear

You might benefit from reading a few of these articles to get you up to speed with the requirements of planetary/lunar imaging:

- Astrophotography with a Dob (even though yours is EQ mounted it's still a good primer)
- Planetary Imaging and Image Processing
- RGB Planetary Imaging with a Monochrome Camera (for the more advanced).

Keep asking questions!

[roccop]

I telephoned Logitech today, the manufacturers of webcams.


The officially DO NOT sell any CCD based webcams for use in Australia.



Will have to try and get a hold of Philips today.



Where do we go to find these webcams for use in astrophotography?


I checked ebay and they seem to have some in the U.K.


I am not keen on overseas purchasing...well not with ebay anyway.


Ideas anyone?

[RB (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by roccop

IWill have to try and get a hold of Philips today.
Where do we go to find these webcams for use in astrophotography?
I am not keen on overseas purchasing...well not with ebay anyway.
Ideas anyone?

Try Matt Lovell at http://www.telescopes-astronomy.com.au/

[roccop]

Thanks Andrew