i have a point and shoot

i have a phillips spc900nc

i use them both in video mode, do the regi-stax thing, process, and get results

my question is.....why not a digital camcorder?

the resolution is better, WAY better, the optical zoom is way better, you can use filters, and make an adapter for prime focus, or use the afocal method with a wider field eyepiece?

it sounds to me like when we use webcams or other cameras in video mode, its cutting us short of resolution, while a video camera is made to capture video?......?

it can still be broken down frame by frame.........

confused?

ps....keep in mind this discussion is ment for planetary and lunar astrophotography, not long esposure DSO's.....i havent ventured there yet.....

Yes! You can use a Digital Camcorder. People do it all the time. You need to use the Universal camera mount and take your videos Through the Eyepieces(Afocal).  Then stack and process the same as you would with a WebCam.

Have A Nice ________

well crap!

see im tossing up the idea of a vid cam or a dslr camera, because i want a multipurpose camera ( wife wants a new camera, and i need to justify it for astrophotography too)

she ahs been tossing up either a high end vid camera that takes great stills, or a DSLR that takes great stills, and has better video capture quality

so my wheeles got turning before i started thinking about a HUGE investment in a dedicated astrophotography camera ( still a nub, so cant break the piggy bank on it all in 1 blow, still cooling her down from the gear i have)

well hell.....that changes everything for me!

If it is DSO imagves and daytime images you want then a nice Canon DSLR is the way to go, but then you're giving up the Video.. If it is lunar and planetary images and Daytime stills and video, then a camcorder is one way to go..

Have A Nice __________

While looking for something else I came across this article and thought you might be interested in reading it.
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/howto/astrophotography/3437996.html

Have A Nice _________

thanks tkerr was very informative.

i have a very very old camcorder that i may just experiment a bit with before i leap into a purchase.

should give me a general idea what i am in for

it wont fit on my current rig ( way to large and heavy, its old) but i have a few microphone boom stands i can convert into a vid camera stand for afocal. ( yes i am Mcgyver)

thanks again!

SirZeusor , Is that you playing guitar?   , Drummer Dave. 

of course its me!

by all means a DSLR, the drawback on a video cam is--- video, how often does one actually sit and watch it over and over again?- it does take lunar and planetary- but your results will vary, but i suggest mounting the video cam to an EP if you get one, mine just screws onto the camera lens without messing with those problematic steady pix things