free imaging software and webcam advice?

[poolerich81]

hi, i have been taking some pics with my (very) basic digital camera, it doesnt have the option of keeping the shutter open so i have to make do with whatever comes out!

i have taken some very satisfactory lunar images and just recently a LOAD of pics of saturn - of the 100 or so only 2 or 3 decent ones but i can only tweak contrast etc on windows viewer.

does anyone know of a decent (and free!) imaging software i could use that might help bring these pictures to life??

unfortunately i blew my budget on the scope and mount and am now off work on long term sick with a shot back so cant afford to replace the camera, i have heard so much about a very reasonably priced webcam (maybe phillips) which is very good for imaging but is quite hard to get hold off - i know im being quite vague but does anyone know what im talking about and can anyone help?!

thanks

rich

[jgs001]

You can get Gnu Image Manipulation Package free at gimp.org, it does quite a good job, with levels, curves and all the usual tools.

This Cheap Philips SPC880 webcam - 49269 - discounts & offers is the webcam.. and it's cheap too.

[x6gas]

This Cheap Philips SPC880 webcam - 49269 - discounts & offers is the webcam.. and it's cheap too.

Thanks - good find and I couldn't resist ordering one...

[jgs001]

Did you get the filter and nose piece adapter to go with it ?

[poolerich81]

thats great advice, thanks alot.

i may just be able to stretch to that for a webcam!!!

is the filter and nose-piece adapter available at the same web address or through someone else?

[Steve 1962]

The filter and nose piece is available from Morgans. They're here:

Cheap Philips SPC880 1.25 inch webcam adapter - 48772 - discounts & offers=

and here:

Cheap IR/UV Blocking Filter 1.25 inch - 48765 - discounts & offers=

Hope this helps

Steve

[keef_uk]

This is another good bit of free image editing software

www.paint.net

Once you have your webcam you will need some capture software, two of the best ones are Sharpcap (rwgastro) and wxAstroCapture - Windows and linuX Astronomy Capture

One captured use Registax (RegiStax- Free image processing software)

[Steve 1962]

After capture for stacking videos into images - I find Avistack 2 very good

http://www.avistack.de/download.html