Webcamming how-to guides anywhere?

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

Yeah, yeah I know and I already did Google it.

I am awaiting the imminent arrival of my new toy 200mm f/5 Newt. and I'm plotting future imaging and though "where better to get information on how to do it". Then I came back here

When the telescope arrives I want to learn how to get the images that get posted here so do you guys and gals have any favourite how-to websites?

The stuff I have thought about already:-

Is the FOV fixed in the same way that it would be if I got a 1000mm lens on the DSLR? (presuming it would be so far).

Will I need a focal reducer or Barlow to change that? (guessing YES OF COURSE!!)

What I am up to at the moment is setting up a FOV circle in starry night pro so that I can plan targets for when it arrives and I am not convinced that I have got it right.

Current method is to get the diagonal measurement of the CCD on the DSLR and work out the angle to a dot 1000mm away. The same angle would then give a FOV circle?

Then I only need to get a webcam and do the sums again to get the FOV for the webcam (BTW 2 of the kids have webcams so I could nick one, pretend I stood on it - job done)

Then on to the software for dark stuff, any preferences? Use the standard drivers or not?

Anybody using a webcam to poke down an eyepiece here? (looks like the most flexible option and I won't need to smash the kid's webcam up)

I know that this is a big question but I'm only looking for little answers at the moment.

Basically I'm trying to get a plan together for when the 'scope arrives, black skies permitting, as to what to do with it. Just looking down it will gat boring in a decade or so, won't it?

Oh and by the way - Its not here yet!

Captain Chaos

P.S. Its still not here.

P.P.S. You guessed, still not here.

[Jamie]

A webcam used @ prime focus is the equivelent of a 6mm eyepiece.

[Ant]

Jamie your right the ToUcam is the same as a 6mm EP - but other webcams may have a different size chip (just something to be aware of).

The FOV will be changed by a Focal Reducer or Barlow. But remember that these items alter the focus point - the Reducer moves the focus point in towards the scope the barlow has the opposite effect. Depending on the scope that your getting you MAY have an issue with the focal reducer. But if the scopes comes with a low profile focuser you may be OK. Took me ages to work out a way to get the ToUcam into focus with the reducer.

If you have a problem let me know and I'll try and remember how I did it!

If you are looking at Deep sky stuff then you'll have to have a Long Exposure modified webcam. If it's planets/Moon your after then a standard webcam will be fine.

I think that the ToUcam with my 8" Newt F/5 (withoutn the reducer) gave me a FOV around 20' x 15'.

http://www.wodaski.com/newastro/downloads/ccdCalcFree.asp

Hope that helps...

Ant

[MartinB]

Some discussion and tips on previous thread - http://stargazerslounge.co.uk/index.php?topic=2689.0 This applies to planetary. Solar system seems to be the place to start and you wont see DSOs on an unmodified cam - slowest shutter speed = 1/25 sec.

Software: -

For capture - K3CCDtools (Version one is fine and free) http://www.pk3.org/Astro/index.htm?k3ccdtools.htm But you can you the software provided with the Toucam

For stacking - Registax http://www.pk3.org/Astro/index.htm?k3ccdtools.htm You can use K3CCDtools but not as good.

Martin