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Includes discussion of web cams and digital video imaging
I'm new to imaging and very excited about getting into it. I got 200 Bucks. What should I get?
Last post 04-09-2008 05:59 PM by chipdatajeffB. 7 replies.
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  • 08-08-2007 08:01 AM

    I'm new to imaging and very excited about getting into it. I got 200 Bucks. What should I get?

    I want it for Planetary and moon stuff. Maybe some other bright stuff. lol Just the basics. I don't have a clue what to get. I'm hearing about the philips webcam. and a mogg adapter? I Can't find any examples of the orion imagers and am totally lost. Can you help with maybe some links as to where to find this stuff and your advice, opinions and recommendations. Thank you so much. I want the best I can get for under 200 bucks. I would like a camera I can just point and shoot. I don't have a clue what you guys mean when you say stacking and such. lol

    Signature
    Orion Skyquest XT6
    Phillips SPC900NC
  • 08-09-2007 08:00 AM In reply to

    Re: I'm new to imaging and very excited about getting into it. I got 200 Bucks. What should I get?

    o.K. i've decided I going to get the Philips SPC900nc/27 is that the good one people use.  This one. So once I get this I need the adapter to go into the focuser right. Where do I get that. Is there one made specifically for this model somewhere or are they somehow universal. Is there anything else I'm going to need?

    http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5934340

    Signature
    Orion Skyquest XT6
    Phillips SPC900NC
  • 08-09-2007 09:01 AM In reply to

    Re: I'm new to imaging and very excited about getting into it. I got 200 Bucks. What should I get?

    That is where you should start. Good choice.

    The adapters are made by Stephen Mogg and are available here.

    When you get there, click Webcam on the left panel, under Shopping. Then scroll down the illustrated listing to W-900NC-F. It is $24.

    You remove the lens from the webcam and thread this adapter into its place. You insert the adapter into your telescope's focuser, thus turning the telescope into a giant camera lens. Focus as you normally would, using your computer screen to display the image.

    The VRecord software that comes with the camera is fine for capturing the images. You'll store short AVI files on hard disk and process them later using a freeware program called Registax, which is available here.

    Registax converts the AVI video stream file into separate frames, analyzes them for quality, and shows you the results. It has a simple process that allows you to keep only the best frames (you decide what best means by applying options), which Registax then combines into a single image frame. Registax then has post-processing routines that sharpen, color-balance, and otherwise improve the image before you save it as a single post-processed frame. You can then load this bitmapped image into another graphics program (like Photoshop) or use as-is.

     

     

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    Visit my Flickr! astrophoto album at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chipdatajeffb/ and our Three Rivers Foundation for the Arts & Sciences website: www.3rf.org.
  • 08-09-2007 09:19 AM In reply to

    Re: I'm new to imaging and very excited about getting into it. I got 200 Bucks. What should I get?

    from one jeff to another, thanks dude. Your the best. I can't wait to start sharing my images with everyone. By the way looks like the price is coming down. under 60 bucks now at walfart. lol
    Signature
    Orion Skyquest XT6
    Phillips SPC900NC
  • 08-09-2007 09:29 AM In reply to

    Re: I'm new to imaging and very excited about getting into it. I got 200 Bucks. What should I get?

    NP, Jeff!

    When you get the camera, you'll note there is a little plastic ring around the lens. To remove the lens you must first remove this ring. To do that pry it gently away from the camera body using a small screwdriver. It is held in place by plastic clips that will just pop loose if you pry up on the ring gently. Once the ring is out, you can unthread the lens and replace it with the adapter.

    Click here for an illustrated procedure from Robert Reeve's Website.

    Scroll down this page for information about his book on Webcam Astrophotography (it's great ... you'll want to read it).

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    Visit my Flickr! astrophoto album at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chipdatajeffb/ and our Three Rivers Foundation for the Arts & Sciences website: www.3rf.org.
  • 08-09-2007 10:01 AM In reply to

    Re: I'm new to imaging and very excited about getting into it. I got 200 Bucks. What should I get?

    Thank you Sir! ;-)

    Signature
    Orion Skyquest XT6
    Phillips SPC900NC
  • 04-09-2008 05:46 PM In reply to

    Re: I'm new to imaging and very excited about getting into it. I got 200 Bucks. What should I get?

    Is the 900 better than an Neximage?

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    Thanks for everything Ron
  • 04-09-2008 05:59 PM In reply to

    Re: I'm new to imaging and very excited about getting into it. I got 200 Bucks. What should I get?

    In my experience, for lunar and planetary imaging, Yes. Not that I haven't seen good results from the NexImage, however ...

    The DMK/DBK and larger cameras from Lumenera are even better yet, but much more expensive.

    I don't think there's any better way to get started in lunar and planetary imaging than with a Web cam like the SPC900NC.

    Signature
    Visit my Flickr! astrophoto album at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chipdatajeffb/ and our Three Rivers Foundation for the Arts & Sciences website: www.3rf.org.
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