Webcam instead of my 60D

[RobertC]

Hey guys, i've been looking around for an alternative instead of using my 60D. What webcam's would you suggest for imaging planets and deepsky for a skywatcher 200P ? 

[Cornelius Varley]

For deep sky I would still recommend a DSLR.

[stargazerslivingroom]

Although I am very inexperienced I routinely get better results with my 450D than my SPC900. I have seen great results from webcams but I haven't produced anything yet I'm happy with unlike with the Canon.

Steve

[RobertC]

I'm asking what people would suggest for imaging the planets webcam wise as i have given up trying to use my 60D as i simply cannot get any detail using prime

[JamesF]

There is at least one SPC900 on AB&S at the moment.  Or was earlier today.  And at a not-offensive price, too.

James

[RobertC]

Yes i've seen quite a few people using them, i will have to trawl around for one as i cannot find one for sale anywhere.

[JamesF]

http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=74659

James

[JamesF]

Nothing to do with the vendor, btw.  I just happened to notice it was there.

James

[knobby]

Or maybe this is worth a punt?

http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=74639

Its the 840 which I believe has the same sensor

[RobertC]

Ah £60 ain't too bad, sadly i am using win8 and finding a driver for the 840 will be a pain. I shall have to compare around a few before i set my heart on one. Thanks guys !

[dph1nm]

The SPC900 has larger pixels than the 60D, so you won't get any better resolution at prime.

NigelM

[Cornelius Varley]

Ah £60 ain't too bad, sadly i am using win8 and finding a driver for the 840 will be a pain. I shall have to compare around a few before i set my heart on one. Thanks guys !

The camera's firmware can be reflashed to make the computer recognise it as a SPC900NC (TouCam Pro3) so it might still work on win8. You might need a XP machine to do it though.

[RobertC]

I'm only after a webcam due to the size and weight, the 60'd i cannot manage at the moment till i do some work on an auto focus system that i can control from my pc.

[hoops86]

I know very little about...well... pretty much everything astronomy related

However can i suggest you look at video camera options. Im pretty sure they are far better than a webcam especially when it comes to DSO's!

Example would be the ever growing in popularity Samsung SCB2000. Its a very sensitive camera and can be picked up for cheapish (£40-80 depending on luck). Its very very simple to modify for astronomy.

Even a complete novice like me can get some kind of results on DSO's.

This was my first ever attempt at any kind of astro pic to give you a rough idea of what to expect from it. Its not been processed in anyway i just hit "print screen" when watching the video back on windows media player.

Have a look in the video astronomy section for some really breathtaking unprocessed images from people that know what they are doing  

Cheers

Chris