Cheap imaging?

Greetings!

A while ago, I posted about a cheap 6 inch "f5" mirror that turned out to be
f3.5. I have been trying to figure (ha!) out what to do with it, since I
can't really use it for a visual scope (my original intention).

So I have decided that I will skip the whole secondary problem and maybe put
a camera in there for wide-angle imaging. I still want to stick with my "on
the cheap" philosophy that has been ruling this project.

I already have a laptop. Any suggestions for a cheap camera or chip, kit,
plan or clue?

Thanks!
-Phil
www.pickupcentral.com

The Meade DSI ot the new Orion imager.
DSO imaging on the cheap...

Matthew Ota

"Matthew Ota" wrote in message
ps.com...
The Meade DSI ot the new Orion imager.
DSO imaging on the cheap...

Matthew Ota


Thanks, Matthew.

Since I plan on using it in place of a secondary, these may be too large.
It looks like the body of the imager is about 4" diameter, or more. My
primary is only 6".

I might add that this is my first foray into imaging. I never considered it
until now. I have this mirror, so I might as well do SOMETHING with it.

Thanks!
-Phil
www.pickupcentral.com

Phil wrote:

A while ago, I posted about a cheap 6 inch "f5" mirror that
turned out to be f3.5. I have been trying to figure (ha!)
out what to do with it, since I can't really use it for a visual
scope (my original intention).

So I have decided that I will skip the whole secondary
problem and maybe put a camera in there for wide-angle
imaging. I still want to stick with my "on the cheap"
philosophy that has been ruling this project.

I already have a laptop. Any suggestions for a cheap
camera or chip, kit, plan or clue?

Suggestion 1: a cheap web camera. Even if the whole
unit is larger than you would like, you can always remove
the innards, which will be much smaller than the external
housing.

Suggestion 2: make a one-shot camera that holds a
piece of film at the focus, sort of like a Schmidt camera.

Laura Halliday VE7LDH "Que les nuages soient notre
Grid: CN89mg pied a terre..."
ICBM: 49 16.05 N 122 56.92 W - Hospital/Shafte

On Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:36:58 GMT, "Phil"
wrote:

Greetings!

A while ago, I posted about a cheap 6 inch "f5" mirror that turned out to be
f3.5. I have been trying to figure (ha!) out what to do with it, since I
can't really use it for a visual scope (my original intention).

So I have decided that I will skip the whole secondary problem and maybe put
a camera in there for wide-angle imaging. I still want to stick with my "on
the cheap" philosophy that has been ruling this project.

I already have a laptop. Any suggestions for a cheap camera or chip, kit,
plan or clue?

While a webcam would seem an obvious choice, most will create too large
an obstruction. Ditto for most of the astronomical versions of webcams,
like the DSI.

I'd look at a low light level video camera, such as the Supercircuits
PC164C ($115). This camera is less than an inch in diameter. By summing
frames you can achieve quite good depth. You'll also need a frame
grabber, but they can be had cheap ($25). If you're handy, the camera
can also be modified to support longer exposure times.

_________________________________________________

Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com

"Chris L Peterson" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:36:58 GMT, "Phil"
wrote:

Greetings!

A while ago, I posted about a cheap 6 inch "f5" mirror that turned out to
be
f3.5. I have been trying to figure (ha!) out what to do with it, since I
can't really use it for a visual scope (my original intention).

So I have decided that I will skip the whole secondary problem and maybe
put
a camera in there for wide-angle imaging. I still want to stick with my
"on
the cheap" philosophy that has been ruling this project.

I already have a laptop. Any suggestions for a cheap camera or chip,
kit,
plan or clue?

While a webcam would seem an obvious choice, most will create too large
an obstruction. Ditto for most of the astronomical versions of webcams,
like the DSI.

I'd look at a low light level video camera, such as the Supercircuits
PC164C ($115). This camera is less than an inch in diameter. By summing
frames you can achieve quite good depth. You'll also need a frame
grabber, but they can be had cheap ($25). If you're handy, the camera
can also be modified to support longer exposure times.


I've got a bunch of pixera piccolo webcams that are about 1 x 2 x 3/8 thick,
5v in, composite video out. Unscew the lens housing, take the lens out,
leave the ir filter in.

Small and cheap...

On Mon, 24 Apr 2006 13:39:23 -0300, "jtaylor"
wrote:

I've got a bunch of pixera piccolo webcams that are about 1 x 2 x 3/8 thick,
5v in, composite video out. Unscew the lens housing, take the lens out,
leave the ir filter in.

I'm not familiar with this product. You call it a webcam, but it has
composite out. Does it also have some other interface?

I'm not aware of any webcam that has the same video quality as a PC164C.
The advantage a webcam does have is the ability to select an exposure
time longer than 1/30 second, which means that the effects of readout
noise can be reduced. If the Piccolo doesn't have this ability (which
requires some sort of digital interface), I don't think it would be a
good choice.

I'd also try to avoid color cameras (although that is difficult with
webcams), since they have much lower sensitivity than B&W cameras, and
sensitivity is key in this application.

_________________________________________________

Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com

Hi Phil !

Look on the Orion telescopes website for their line of cameras. Priced
about as cheap as they come, but they should work and work well, if my
past history buying and using Orion products (price good, quality good
to excellent, satisfaction great) is anything to go by. And let us know
what you decided to do and what the results are (posted images to your
website?)

Sincerely,
--- Dave Nakamoto
========================================
Miller's Daughter --- There, I was visited by a bizarre, strange imp of
a man.
Sam Shovel --- Pee Wee Herman?
Miller's Daughter --- Not THAT strange.



Phil wrote:
Greetings!

A while ago, I posted about a cheap 6 inch "f5" mirror that turned out to be
f3.5. I have been trying to figure (ha!) out what to do with it, since I
can't really use it for a visual scope (my original intention).

So I have decided that I will skip the whole secondary problem and maybe put
a camera in there for wide-angle imaging. I still want to stick with my "on
the cheap" philosophy that has been ruling this project.

I already have a laptop. Any suggestions for a cheap camera or chip, kit,
plan or clue?

Thanks!
-Phil
www.pickupcentral.com

Hi Phil,

Here's a suggestion. A high resolution 1280X960 Logitech Fusion webcam for
$55. It is a true USB 2.0 color webcam, better than the Toucam and can do
up to 10 second exposures using software, no hardware hacks required. You
could mount the small Fusion's circuit board in an enclosure just large
enough to fit. I have test results and instructions for modfying this
webcam for telescope use on my site he

http://ghonis2.ho8.com/fusiontest4.html

The project box I used for an enclosure is larger than that needed for the
circuit board; see pics on the site for dimensions, but it might suit your
needs.

Gary Honis


Thanks, Matthew.

Since I plan on using it in place of a secondary, these may be too large.
It looks like the body of the imager is about 4" diameter, or more. My
primary is only 6".

I might add that this is my first foray into imaging. I never considered
it until now. I have this mirror, so I might as well do SOMETHING with
it.

Thanks!
-Phil
www.pickupcentral.com

Webcams are the way to go for cheap. Look up the QCUIAG on the web for
ideas.

--
Why do penguins walk so far to get to their nesting grounds?