+TasKiNG Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 I'm saving up for a decent camera for imaging planets but needed something to use until I get one. I bought a cheap webcam off ebay for £5 from Hong Kong and have modified it for telescope use by fitting the circuit board into an old eyepiece. I tried it on Jupiter but all I got was a white disc with no detail due to the automatic exposure circuit and lack of enough manual control. The moon was much better. Here's a few pics from the camera. 1000 frames, Autostakkert, and then photoshop. If I can find a way of disabling the autoexposure circuit then i'll have a half decent camera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catman161 Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Very nice job indeed and great lunar shots too. Nicely focused. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toymaster Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Not bad for £5 Dave... Hope you manage to sort the auto exposure.... Ade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest peepshow Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Great. I do love astro DIY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Amazing what you folks do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 That's proper shedology! Awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Werisit Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Brilliant results Dave. Love the moon pics. And for 5quid! I recall reading something about converting webcam ciruitry to give some user control in an astro mag some time back. It was referred to as a "dead bug". I just googled "dead bug astro" and it came up with this. http://www.threehillsobservatory.co.uk/astro/pisp4.htm Variations on the dead bug search theme might bring up something useful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TasKiNG Posted March 10, 2014 Author Share Posted March 10, 2014 I recall reading something about converting webcam ciruitry to give some user control in an astro mag some time back. It was referred to as a "dead bug". I just googled "dead bug astro" and it came up with this. http://www.threehillsobservatory.co.uk/astro/pisp4.htm Variations on the dead bug search theme might bring up something useful. Thanks for the link Alan, looks an interesting project. I managed to get the data sheet for the chip on the camera but unfortunately the exposure is handled in the chip and is cannot be modified. I have not given up though and will try reducing the light by restricting the size of the aperture. Well pleased with it though even if I can just use it for the moon shots Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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