Astrophotography with web/ccd

[michael]

hi,

i never do astro photography. i am intending to do it. not actually rushing for it, want to learn first. need advice to start with web cam. i have one webcam i just converted for long exposure but not for too long.

now my question is how u can focus the object while the camera mounted on the visual back or diagonal? i can't place any other eyepiece to see.

thank you

[rcj]

connect the webcam onto a laptop (can be via USB or firewire). Before that, install a capture software like IRIS (free) or K3CCDTools, etc. The capture software will have a focusing video preview window that can facilitate ease of focusing. You cannot place an eyepiece to focus the object and then replace by the webcam and hope that the focus is the same, no. Alternatively, you could engage a flip-mirror system which will enable both webcam and eyepiece to be placed (but at different optical paths). You could use both in one convenient package then, and will be useful in helping to centerise (compose) objects quickly.

[Meng Lee]

Do take note that webcam works very well for planets, moon and sun (with filter of course). If your intention is deepsky, then get a DSI. For a modified long exposure webcam, you get quite a lot of noise. Not really suitable for deepsky.

[michael]

for Deep sky photogrpahy, how about canon DSLR 10D or 300D ?

[rcj]

yes, DSLR is a popular choice nowdays, a time tested medium for astrophotography, and speaks for itself from photographs posted here from fellow users over time. the 300D used to be very popular for deep sky imagers, and has been taken over by the 350D. Nevertheless, you can do pretty decent work with the 300D. Do take note that you will increase the hydrogen alpha response greatly if one can modify the DSLR's IR-cut filter into one that allows the 656nm wavelength to past. This will enable a richer tone in emissive nebulae (which are emitting at that wavelength). You could still take galactic objects and clusters without modification.

[michael]

ha,,,ha...just bought canon 300D for astrophotography perpose...

anyway i still need a telescope for it...now thinking which should i buy for this....any one can give me idea..? but not too expensive...

[Meng Lee]

You have a multimegapixel sensor, so should get a scope that gives you rather flat field over the whole image.

Without considering cost, refractor (with flattener) is the best. What is your budget range? I have a ED petzval that is only $300.

Also, mount and autoguider makes up the other half of the story. So give serious consideration to them if you want consistent good results.

From visual to astrophotography, you accessories investment has to multiply many times!!

[michael]

can u show me which model do you have for sale?

[Meng Lee]

Hi, this is the thread.

items 1) and 4) are suitable for DSLRs.