Philips ToUcam Pro II

[iluvsaturn (Garth)]

Hi All
I am contemplating buying one of these cameras, to put it in a nutshell can you guys and gals, members and visitors give me some feedback and more importantly what I need for adapting this camera to my scope.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

You need a 1.25" adapter to screw in in place of the camera lens and away you go. Oh and a computer of course

[iluvsaturn (Garth)]

Thanks for thr speed of light response what about your opinion of this camera?

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

A bit more info

There are plenty of free programs available online for capturing and processing planetary images. Virtual Dub will capture for free (and is a damn fine program in itself) and Registax will process the images. There are also a few free programs here in the file section that will assist you in more exacting processing when you get more demanding of your results.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

IMO for bang for buck it is without doubt the best little planetary imaging camera around. Yes there are better cameras, but not at that price. I've had one for the past 18 months and haven't exhausted the potential of it. Plus it makes a great little autoguiding camera. Combine it with K3CCDTools for capture, autoguiding, drift aligning, image processing, you have one powerful little package.

[Dennis]

Hi Garth

Off the top of my head, here is my list:

• IR blocking filter as the ccd chip is sensitive into the infra-red spectrum and when you remove (unscrew) the camera lens you also remove the built in filter of the lens.
• A USB extension cable as my ToUcam 840K has a piddly short one.
• K3CCDTools software which I personally find indispensable for actually controlling the camera and capturing the avi's.
• The patience of a saint to await good seeing
• The money to upgrade to a DMK or SkyNix.

Cheers

Dennis

[iluvsaturn (Garth)]

I am all ready to go, I did a series of courses on PhotoImpact XL all the way up to advanced. I have been using the Ulead program for several years now. I dloaded Registrax 3.0 last night.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

You're spot on there for the upgrading Dennis. There is a big monetary jump when looking to go upscale with decent increase in ability.

I'm still waiting to get to use my new UV/IR filter

Come on Saturn and Jupiter.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

I use my Toucam like a madman!!!!!

It gets shoved into the scope more than I have breakfasts

You will need the 1.25" adaptor which screws into where the little webcam lens is. That's all there is to it. With the Adaptor on, stick it in the Focuser of your scope just like an EP.

Plug the other end into your lappy or PC and your in business.

I just use the Program that come with the Toucam for capturing coz I can't work out how to use K3ccdtools

I have the Modified version which enables me to do long exposures and many people around the world are getting excellent results.

I'm not into planets. I like DSO's but I do take a lot of pics of the Moon coz it's there every month

For long exposure DSO pics (if you get yours modified) there is a great easy to use program free to download called 'Desire'.

I don't use any filters.

Have fun!

[iluvsaturn (Garth)]

Thanks for all your help everyone going on the what I see I am sold. I have also just purchased an adapter for my little Nikon 4100 today, but I am really looking forward to utilising my PC in my much loved hobby. All I will need now is an extra long cable to connect to my PC about twenty feet away. Oh by the way where do I get the adapter? I know I could surf the net but I am hoping someone from the Iceinspace could suggest a supplier.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

You could try Matthew at www.telescopes-astronomy.com.au or Steve Mogg at Mogg Adapters

[iluvsaturn (Garth)]

Thanks again!

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

all you need to extend the cable is a USB extension lead! I use a 5m one to reach my cubby house.

The Toucam cable is 1.2m, so that will give you a tad over 6m

The Toucam also likes to run through USB2. On USB1.1 it works OK, but USB2 is faster.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

If you can afford a powered usb hub over that distance, that would be even better.

[iluvsaturn (Garth)]

Thanks Ken and Paul, I do have a powered hub and USB2.0 (would not use anything else). Really itching to get into it. Don't you just love a tax refund $3000.00 so many more toys to buy this year, I have a great accountant. maybe I should think of the GSTAR.