Have a few questions 'bout the toUcam pro II 840k. I understand you can buy the standard 'out-of-the-box' toUcam pro II , or the modified version for longer exposures and the like. The modded version is considererably dearer than the standard cam, but is it worth the extra money for someone starting out with CCD astro-imaging?
Also I have a question about the adapter that fits into the toUcam pro II. The adapter screws into the cam, and then is fitted onto the telescope (in my case the meade LX60 8"). But I'm a bit unclear about where exactly the 1.25" adapter fits.
The webcam and the adapter, I am assuming, is all I need to start imaging... or have I left something out?
If you want to use the Toucam for DSOs ... then yeah, you'll need to spring the extra $$$ for the long exposure modification.
To be honest, the Toucam is much better at planetary than deep sky, although that shouldn't stop you having a go if that's what you're interested in. Some guys here on IceInSpace have managed reasonable results.
Keep in mind planetary imaging is a different animal to imaging deep sky objects where you really need to get your tracking working nicely.
The adaptor screws in to the same thread as the lens which comes in the box with the Toucam which you can throw away, unless you plan to use the Toucam for its intended purpose as a webcam.
Yep... Toucam and adaptor are all you need to get started. All you do is slot into into the eyepiece holder and away you go!!!
the 900nc (next model up from the 840k) is reasonable, but to be honest, you would soon get cranky with the results.
As matt says, stick to the toucams for planetary and look at saving the money in buying a great solid mount and then look at maybe as a starter a canon 400d etc.
The focal length of the toucam tends to act like a 6mm eyepiece which most of the time is WAY too much magnification
The 1.25" adapter should go where you normally put your eyepiece.
You will also need to collect some (free) software to capture the data. I currently use KC3tools which you can get http://pk3.org/Astro/
You also need to get software to stack the images such as registax. Oh and a good laptop with lots of memory recommend 1gig.
Webcams can be modified to take long exposures and I understand the modification works out cheaper then the commercially available meade dsi etc. You then have a camera for both deep sky and planetary. But there is a very steep learning curve!!
Yes but is is no good. As I understand that it dosent save the files as AVIs but as MPEGs. MPEGs are compressed videos. Although you can turn them back into AVIs to be further processed in registax you will loose some of the data in this process.
The adaptor screws in to the same thread as the lens which comes in the box with the Toucam which you can throw away, unless you plan to use the Toucam for its intended purpose as a webcam.
Never throw away the lens!!! If you get the Long exposure mod done, the lens is great for widefields! I have captured some great widefields of the sky using the original lens.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bertthebudgie
As I understand that it dosent save the files as AVIs but as MPEGs. MPEGs are compressed videos. Although you can turn them back into AVIs to be further processed in registax you will loose some of the data in this process.
Dunno why that happens to you. I use the original Philips program and it saves them as Avi's.
Never throw away the lens!!! If you get the Long exposure mod done, the lens is great for widefields! I have captured some great widefields of the sky using the original lens.
And Damien Peach used to perform minor miracles with it on planets... etc etc...
These are our finest examples of what can be done with the venerable Toucam. Not everyone's gonna produce planet and DSO images of that standard, and that's OK.
There's no doubt it's an exciting and affordable way to begin imaging.
I was merely "hmmmmm-ing" out loud wondering what hj47 was hoping to achieve and what his expectations are?
depends on what your budget is etc
the toucam aint no dmk and even the modded one isnt as sesitive as say... i dont know a sac8. but what can you do huh, gotta work with what you got
It really comes down to what you want to do with it, versus the money you want to pay.
For me, the modded ToUcam was good value. I can do planetary stuff, and I can have a dabble at some DSO stuff. Ultimately its the DSO stuff that I'd like to be able to do, but until I can get set up on a pier/observatory I realise I'm probably never going to be serious about DSOs. But for me, there's heaps to learn doing planetary stuff, and quite a bit more to learn dabbling at DSO type stuff even if not seriously, that makes it worthwhile for me to spend the extra $200 or so. I've got more serious expenditure to make before I launch into a good DSO camera, but I'm still learning valuable lessons in the meantime.
So while a modded ToUcam doesn't compare with an SBIG or dSLR for DSOs, I still think it's good value as an entry level camera for planetary and to learn some valuable lessons before you fork out the big bucks for that good camera! But if you aren't interested in DSO's, or you want to get seriously into DSO's straight up... by all means question the LE mod.
For the money it's top of my list for what you can do with it. Bang for buck it's a pearler.
But there's always those caveat's... "for the money" .... "good value" ...
It is what is it. Which is a great budget webcam that gives you a great starting point in astro imaging.
I love it and have only (in the last 24 hours) bought a great book to get even more out of mine before I move on to my next big purchase... most likely a Lumenera monochrome CCD camera with colour filters
One other thing that may be desirable is an infrared filter.
This is more the case if you are using a refractor as the lenses will bring the infrared to a focus at a different point to the visable light of your image. Thus the image you get will be not as good quality.
Web cams such as the toucam are especially sensitive to infrared.
If Ken's got a problem with my post I'm happy to chat with him
Yeah Matt, come down here and say that!!
Well, it's one way to get you to come and have an observing session
Regardless of quality, price, sensitivity, detail etc etc etc I'm having plain old fun with my Toucam.
I agree, it is a great way to start on imaging, but what is supposed to be a 'stick it on ya pooter and lets look at each other' webcam, it does a pretty good job on the sky.
I have lost my widefield images using the little lens (maybe in the lappy that Darren is fixing ) but there are some in IIS somewhere.
Here's some pics. They aren't to show that the Toucam is spectacular, they are just to show the fun I have with it
1. Here is my best DSO so far with the modded version (47Tuc)
2. Sunspots
3. The Moon
Right! That's it then, Dragons!!! See you in the carpark....
and don't forget your scope and Toucam!
Cheers, Ken.
And you are spot-on.
The Toucam is a great little cam and loads of fun and for a non-astro dedicated imaging device it does a terrific job of capturing the heavens, particularly planets.
In fact, it would be fair to say it's been something of a phenomenon.
It's not my intention to put it down or belittle anyone's achievements with it.
I'm just saying it is what it is... and if people keep that in mind, especially when it comes to DSO, they'll have the same experience and joy as us without any disappointment.
I think "fun" is the key word here, and that's what it should be all about.
Some toUcam questions
If you get the Long exposure mod done, the lens is great for widefields! I have captured some great widefields of the sky using the original lens.
