(ultra) budget webcam options

[jnb]

I want to get into imaging so my first idea was to try webcam imaging, primarily because it's a cheap way to start. The usual recommendation is something like the SPC900 but that doesn't exist anymore. I looked at the orion starshoot and similar options but the few reviews I found were not that complimentary about it so rather than spend £90 on something that doesn't work well I thought I'd hack something out of an old web cam and see if I can make it do anything.

Apart from rip the existing lens off, glue it to a 1.25" adapter and may (or maybe not) remove / replace IR filters is there anything I should consider. In the realm of budget webcams is there any reason to pick one over another. Is there anything else I should consider? Is it really that simple?

In fact it seems from that the hardest thing is finding a 1,25" tube to fit into the focusser. Surely it can't be that easy?

[hobsey]

 The usual recommendation is something like the SPC900 but that doesn't exist anymore.

Here you go.

http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=84846

[tingting44]

^^^^ that ^^^^ lol

[Schorhr]

5£ Xbox webcam plus 35mm film can... Not excelent, but for the price...

[jnb]

I used to have loads of 35 mm film canisters but now that everything is digital I don't think I have a single one.

Why an XBox webcam? or is just because they are cheap?

[happy-kat]

Cheap and ccd sensor and massive thread on how to use and modify one

[Schorhr]

Yeah, it was available for around 7-8€ Last Time I looked, so under 6£...

Threads

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/131246-xbox-livecam-mod-cliff/

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/213226-xbox-webcam-mod/

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/123338-imaging-with-xbox-live-camera-first-pic/

I have Not ordered one though, as I am happy with dabbling in video astronomy and have a DSLR.

With the 24-40€ Video astronomy (modified security) cameras I had pretty bad results with planets due to analog output and over exposure (nothing a filter can't fix) but they where definitely there and surface details where visible :-)

[Digger1895]

I too am interested in this but don't want to spend much at all if I'm going to butcher the webcam. Without starting another thread in the same vein, what is the very least you need, eg, is a CCD essential or just better than CMOS. I tend to be heavy handed and impatient when doing any sort of DIY so what's the cheapest cam to get away with using as I might get through a few!

Cheers!

[happy-kat]

The xbox is more expensive then a year ago nearly triple the price they were. Just looked on line.

[Schorhr]

Indeed, the Chinese seller stopped selling them for 8$, too bad;

At Aliexpress the cheapest is 15$ or so as well.

You%

[Schorhr]

Indeed, the Chinese seller stopped selling them for 8$, too bad;

At Aliexpress the cheapest is 15$ or so as well.

You can get them used at Amazon atm for around 5-8£ including shipping, but of course the offers come and go (plus they have multiple entries for that cam),

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B0054UMR8O/ref=sr_1_1_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1405411806&sr=8-1&keywords=xbox+webcam&condition=used

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B0056Z3YC0/ref=sr_1_4_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1405411806&sr=8-4&keywords=xbox+webcam&condition=used

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B0054JZU70/ref=sr_1_2_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1405411806&sr=8-2&keywords=xbox+webcam&condition=used

...perhaps someone else can recommend another cheap webcam that works?

[jnb]

Well on that basis I've just got a used Xbox webcam for $10 off ebay so I'll see how well that works.

[Joseki]

I just converted an xbox camera.  It didn't take long and I used contact adhesive to attach the end of a broken eyepiece to the webcam body - so now I can screw on filters.

[Stevp]

I just converted an xbox camera. It didn't take long and I used contact adhesive to attach the end of a broken eyepiece to the webcam body - so now I can screw on filters.

I did similar with a sacrificial skywatcher stock eye piece. Quite pleased with the first results

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[hazegood]

not an advert but my local second hand games shop sells second hand xbox webcams at £7,   as for  35mm film cannisters, just go into a local proper camera shop and ask, mine gives them away