On a budget and looking at Meade LPI

[acharris77]

Hi, I am looking to get into some basic imaging to start getting some lunar, planetary and maybe brighter DSO like the M42 in winter. I did try doing some Afocal with the moon, but my camera is an Olympus c-315 3.2 mp and it has no control over exposeure or ISO settings. And lining up at the ep was murder.

I am looking at a LPI for around £75 and have read some ok reviews on these. I am not looking into doing any detailed DSO's yet, as I dont have enough experience to get into that sort of imaging, just looking to do simple imaging to get into the swing of it with my 5" skywatcher goto.

Advice is appreciated. Thanks.

[NickH]

Get a modded toucam...unless you're in to spectroscopy, the ICX098 BL chipset modded toucam with LX mod will beat the LPI hands down...

(IMHO)

[beamer3.6m]

Yep, get a Toucam, either the SPC900 or the 840k.

They can be modded for long exposure, b+w, cooled etc etc.

Very cheap, very easy to use. People on here could probably mod it for you if you manage to find a normal one in the shops. My last one I found in a cash converters for £5.00

[acharris77]

Cool, I will have to look around for then, as I heard of the phillips but even at boot sales I have not found one yet. So the model numbers are the ones in the thread above then??? Thanks again.

[Psychobilly]

If you cant find one in the next few weeks I got an SPC900NC one I was going to put up for sale with the Adaptor... not modded for Long exp and I only have a decent UV/IR cut filter to go with it...

Its surplus since I have bought the DMK...

Peter...

[acharris77]

Thanks for that M8, how much were u looking for the camera as I might be interested sooner rather than later. Thanks.

[Psychobilly]

I'll see if i can track down the box and the original lens for it... and get the drivers sorted... the biggest difference in price will be if you want the UV/IR filter with it as it's a Baader Planetarium Neodymium with UV/IR cut...

Peter...