Phillips SPC880 question

[Russe]

I ordered the 880 yesterday to do some planetary imaging with my mak127.

It's not here yet, but I have a question that keeps me awake at night:

If I remove the camera's lens to connect the adaptor to the webcam, how do I still have an optical system that works, I mean without an eyepiece??

What sort of magnification can I expect?

Mag=f tel/ f eyepiece?

[lukebl]

The telescope itself becomes the lens. For example, a 1000mm FL scope with a 3x barlow effectively becomes a 3000mm camera lens.

[brucen]

It's ok - you can go back to sleep! The telescope mirrors replace the lens and I believe the CCD is about f6. Just started using one myself and the results are excellent.

[Merlin66]

It's effective focal length that gives the image size with cameras, not "magnification" as you normally think about it with visual observing.

The longer the focal length, the larger the plate scale...

Check out CCDCalc - it shows the various CCD chip sizes v's focal length v's typical objects....

[Gina]

Thanks for that - I'll check it out

[Russe]

I've taken apart one of my old webcams, only to discover that it contains a CMOS sensor. Anyone ever tried taking pics with that? I mean, astrophotography wise?

[Gina]

Most webcams have CMOS sensors, don't worry about it

[Russe]

In the sense - don't bother to try getting a pic?

[x6gas]

In the sense - don't bother to try getting a pic?

No - give it a go.

Some CMOS sensors give excellent results... Just look at some of the great pictures of DSOs taken with modern DSLRs, many of which have CMOS sensors...

[Renaissance2010]

I've taken apart one of my old webcams, only to discover that it contains a CMOS sensor. Anyone ever tried taking pics with that? I mean, astrophotography wise?

I have used both the Meade LPI (CMOS sensor) & the SPC880(CCD). The CCD is a bit better, but there is not a lot in it.

[Gina]

The Microsoft LifeCam HD Cinema makes a good imaging webcam (with lens removed, at prime focus) with 1280x800 resolution and 3 micron pixel size and that has a CMOS sensor. CCDs tend to be more sensitive but CMOS sensors are well usable.

That was what I meant. If you have CMOS webcam(s) try it/them, you might be pleasantly surprised

[Russe]

Cool.

Still waiting for my adaptor and SPC880. How long can it possibly take???

[Gina]

I think I got mine next day, I know they were very quick and I've ordered several items from Morgans and found them good.

[Russe]

cry...

came home...

still not there yet...

now I'm playing with my logitech, stacking pics of my bookshelf.avi...

how sad is that...

better get me some wine and do smth. else...

[Anweniel]

I know the second one I ordered from Morgans took a lot longer than first I think they ran short of the IR filter.

As far as CMOS/ccd I understand the main point isn't so much in quality ( although a more experienced user will recognised a deal of difference) but more that you can obtain more CMOS for your hard earned than ccd so worth a shot with the CMOS as others have suggested

[yesyes]

Morgans seem to have problems getting enough of these nosepiece adapters. I waited 2 weeks for my last batch of SPC880 plus nosepieces.

[Russe]

Still hasn't come... Their explanation was, that some supplier has let them down and it might take another 5 days...

Rrrr