catman161 Posted May 13, 2012 Share Posted May 13, 2012 Can anyone tell me how to get focus with the SPC900 webcam when targeting a planet like saturn? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldfruit Posted May 13, 2012 Share Posted May 13, 2012 (edited) For Saturn i use the Cassini division, as you slowly go in and out of focus it becomes visible, it works ok for me. Edited May 13, 2012 by oldfruit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted May 13, 2012 Share Posted May 13, 2012 Everything you need is likely to be here - it's a long thread mind you http://stargazerslounge.com/showthread.php?t=115493&highlight=webcam+clinic (I only read some of it for a few weeks) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catman161 Posted May 13, 2012 Author Share Posted May 13, 2012 Thanks guys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catman161 Posted May 16, 2012 Author Share Posted May 16, 2012 (edited) Right I watched a shed load of video tutorials and set everything up. I set my 200P to look at Saturn and I removed the EP and replaced it with the SPC900 and eventually managed to get Saturn into view on sharp cap on my laptop. It looked like a big fuzzy donut so I thought "no problem I'll just adjust the focus until it looks like Saturn" but alas I kept turning my focuser until the draw tube was as far as it would go into the OTA and yet I was still out of focus! What can I do to rectify this? Do I have to buy a longer draw tube and install that?Is there a way to extend my existing draw tube to get the extra few centimetres needed to gain focus? Help me please! I was so looking forward to gettin a few Avis of Saturn and having a go in registax Edited May 16, 2012 by catman161 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+RonC Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 Are you using a Barlow lens?? It helped me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catman161 Posted May 16, 2012 Author Share Posted May 16, 2012 No I wasn't Ron. I may have to try that, of course I will have to get one first!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldfruit Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 Hi Felix. Did you have the gain or exposure setting too high as this will even make a focused image look blurry. Once you have your target on screen reduce the gain setting and also the exposure setting if needed until the image is dimmer but still easily visible and then try to focus slowly. Also as Ron says, a barlow will increase the size of your target and should help a lot. I`m no expert but it seems to work ok for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catman161 Posted May 18, 2012 Author Share Posted May 18, 2012 (edited) Yeah I tried changing the gain and exposure but to no avail. I do think that the draw tube is just too short. I will give it another go when it's clear then look into getting a powermate. Thanks. Edited May 18, 2012 by catman161 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teslar Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 You'll need a 50mm spacer to use the SPC900 and get focus where the EP had it or use a Barlow to give you effective distance and FOV. If I'm not wanting the barlow I use an old SW Barlow with the lens removed and that gives me the ability to reach focus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now