Mounting a Webcam in a SLR Body

[Dicky de Builder]

Found this article when reading up on webcam astrophotograph.

http://www.deep-sky.co.uk/imaging/webcam/slrbody.htm

Now the thing is I have two old pentax SLR's that i havent use in years, and a toucam 2 that is redundent.

My question is.... is it worth doing or should i just get what i need to connect the toucam direct. Like the idea of the view finder. Would welcome any of your thoughts.

Ps I don't have a DSLR

Cheers

[Dicky de Builder]

Dam, just found out that there are no drivers for my Philips PCVC830K to run on vista.:mad:

[Jamie]

Hi Dicky

I can't see the point in housing a webcam in an SLR body, the existing housing will suffice IMHO....

[barkis]

Also, you get the target Image on the computer screen within the Capture softwares window, and you could possibly even have it fill the screen, then focusing will be a doddle.

Ron.

[Dicky de Builder]

Thanks for that guys. Is there any particular capture software you use or just what came with the cam OK. Thinking of imaging the moon as a start to imaging, with the web cam as it's a bright target. Only have a manual mount at the mo so need a targets for short exposures. I know imaging is a bit of a mine field so I want to start simply.

Cheers

[beamish]

What a COMPLETE waste of time that would be ! the disadvantages are huge and outway any reason to do this. If you want to use a w/cam choose one from a whole list available and stick a 1 1/4" nose piece on job done !

[Merlin66]

Dicky,

The Philips 830K webcam can run under Vista....I have the files somewhere.... google vista driver for 830K... that'll probably find them.

EDIT:

http://www.azcendant.com/VistaTips.htm

Ken

[themos]

I guess if you want to use a particular set of lenses with it ALWAYS, then it kind of makes sense.

[beamish]

True

[Dicky de Builder]

Thanks again guys for your thoughts, and meriln for the link to drivers. Will have a go at getting the web cam working and read up some more on web cam imaging. Will no doubt have some more questions for you:o

Cheers

[Cornelius Varley]

Software - Craterlet, wxastrocapture, k3ccdtools and a few others all free. I would recommend adding at least a single axis drive to your mount as soon as possible. The moon will quickly pass through your FOV at the high magnification. The drive will allow you to keep the moon centred so that you can take longer AVIs.

Peter