Ok, I got my usb camera today and had to give it a try. Here are the images: 2x barlow: http://www.clandaith.com/image_barlow.JPG no barlow: http://www.clandaith.com/image.JPG I took these with a 8" dobsonian. It was hard to focus since the telescope wasn't tracking. The software that comes with the camera was ok. I am looking for something else that will work better. One of the reasons I want better software is that the included software doesn't stream the video but takes a picture every ~2-5 seconds. So, when focusing, it's hard to do. Plus, the images aren't as good as I think they can get since the images were taken around 9:30 looking over my neighbors yard. The air was not very stable and even in an eyepiece, the moon was waving a lot. The ccd chip has a few flaws on it. There are a few strange pixels that show up. But, that's what you get when you buy cheap. Overall, I think the camera isn't bad. It's not great or even good. It's definitely better than a regular webcam. I'm going to head out to the desert this weekend and give it a better shot. ++++++++++++++++++ Troy Davidson www.istroyworking.com
Pretty good for the first attempt!!! Jim --- On Tue, 8/17/10, Troy Davidson <clandaith@gmail.com> wrote: From: Troy Davidson <clandaith@gmail.com> Subject: [Utah-astronomy] First Light - USB Camera To: "Utah Astronomy" <Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Date: Tuesday, August 17, 2010, 10:11 PM Ok, I got my usb camera today and had to give it a try. Here are the images: 2x barlow: http://www.clandaith.com/image_barlow.JPG no barlow: http://www.clandaith.com/image.JPG I took these with a 8" dobsonian. It was hard to focus since the telescope wasn't tracking. The software that comes with the camera was ok. I am looking for something else that will work better. One of the reasons I want better software is that the included software doesn't stream the video but takes a picture every ~2-5 seconds. So, when focusing, it's hard to do. Plus, the images aren't as good as I think they can get since the images were taken around 9:30 looking over my neighbors yard. The air was not very stable and even in an eyepiece, the moon was waving a lot. The ccd chip has a few flaws on it. There are a few strange pixels that show up. But, that's what you get when you buy cheap. Overall, I think the camera isn't bad. It's not great or even good. It's definitely better than a regular webcam. I'm going to head out to the desert this weekend and give it a better shot. ++++++++++++++++++ Troy Davidson www.istroyworking.com _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
The quality did seem to improve with lower mags, perhaps it was also a little out of focus. Best focus can be tricky.
Pretty good for the first attempt!!!
Jim
--- On Tue, 8/17/10, Troy Davidson <clandaith@gmail.com> wrote:
From: Troy Davidson <clandaith@gmail.com> Subject: [Utah-astronomy] First Light - USB Camera To: "Utah Astronomy" <Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Date: Tuesday, August 17, 2010, 10:11 PM
Ok, I got my usb camera today and had to give it a try.
Here are the images:
2x barlow: http://www.clandaith.com/image_barlow.JPG no barlow: http://www.clandaith.com/image.JPG
I took these with a 8" dobsonian. It was hard to focus since the telescope wasn't tracking. The software that comes with the camera was ok. I am looking for something else that will work better. One of the reasons I want better software is that the included software doesn't stream the video but takes a picture every ~2-5 seconds. So, when focusing, it's hard to do.
Plus, the images aren't as good as I think they can get since the images were taken around 9:30 looking over my neighbors yard. The air was not very stable and even in an eyepiece, the moon was waving a lot.
The ccd chip has a few flaws on it. There are a few strange pixels that show up. But, that's what you get when you buy cheap.
Overall, I think the camera isn't bad. It's not great or even good. It's definitely better than a regular webcam. I'm going to head out to the desert this weekend and give it a better shot.
++++++++++++++++++ Troy Davidson www.istroyworking.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
The focusing was the hardest part. The software didn't update the screen all the time. It was delayed and that made it hard to tell if I had passed a sharp focus or not. Plus, the air was unstable. The software would do a burst of shots. The focus on all those were all over the board. It was pretty amazing. But, I'll still keep playing with the camera and see what I finally come up with. ++++++++++++++++++ Troy Davidson www.istroyworking.com On Wed, Aug 18, 2010 at 10:06 AM, <erikhansen@thebluezone.net> wrote:
The quality did seem to improve with lower mags, perhaps it was also a little out of focus. Best focus can be tricky.
Pretty good for the first attempt!!!
Jim
--- On Tue, 8/17/10, Troy Davidson <clandaith@gmail.com> wrote:
From: Troy Davidson <clandaith@gmail.com> Subject: [Utah-astronomy] First Light - USB Camera To: "Utah Astronomy" <Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Date: Tuesday, August 17, 2010, 10:11 PM
Ok, I got my usb camera today and had to give it a try.
Here are the images:
2x barlow: http://www.clandaith.com/image_barlow.JPG no barlow: http://www.clandaith.com/image.JPG
I took these with a 8" dobsonian. It was hard to focus since the telescope wasn't tracking. The software that comes with the camera was ok. I am looking for something else that will work better. One of the reasons I want better software is that the included software doesn't stream the video but takes a picture every ~2-5 seconds. So, when focusing, it's hard to do.
Plus, the images aren't as good as I think they can get since the images were taken around 9:30 looking over my neighbors yard. The air was not very stable and even in an eyepiece, the moon was waving a lot.
The ccd chip has a few flaws on it. There are a few strange pixels that show up. But, that's what you get when you buy cheap.
Overall, I think the camera isn't bad. It's not great or even good. It's definitely better than a regular webcam. I'm going to head out to the desert this weekend and give it a better shot.
++++++++++++++++++ Troy Davidson www.istroyworking.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
Try using a Hartzman Mask. http://www.andysshotglass.com/HartzmanMask.html -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Troy Davidson Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2010 11:43 AM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] First Light - USB Camera The focusing was the hardest part. The software didn't update the screen all the time. It was delayed and that made it hard to tell if I had passed a sharp focus or not. Plus, the air was unstable. The software would do a burst of shots. The focus on all those were all over the board. It was pretty amazing. But, I'll still keep playing with the camera and see what I finally come up with. ++++++++++++++++++ Troy Davidson www.istroyworking.com p://www.utahastronomy.com
Robert, Thanks for the info. I'll make one and give it a shot. ++++++++++++++++++ Troy Davidson www.istroyworking.com On Wed, Aug 18, 2010 at 12:30 PM, Robert Taylor <rob.taylor@digis.net> wrote:
Try using a Hartzman Mask.
Nice! And with an undriven Dob, no less. Way better than I've ever been able to do when shooting the Moon using much more expensive equipment. patrick :) On 17 Aug 2010, at 22:11, Troy Davidson wrote:
Ok, I got my usb camera today and had to give it a try.
Here are the images:
2x barlow: http://www.clandaith.com/image_barlow.JPG no barlow: http://www.clandaith.com/image.JPG
I took these with a 8" dobsonian. It was hard to focus since the telescope wasn't tracking. The software that comes with the camera was ok. I am looking for something else that will work better. One of the reasons I want better software is that the included software doesn't stream the video but takes a picture every ~2-5 seconds. So, when focusing, it's hard to do.
Plus, the images aren't as good as I think they can get since the images were taken around 9:30 looking over my neighbors yard. The air was not very stable and even in an eyepiece, the moon was waving a lot.
The ccd chip has a few flaws on it. There are a few strange pixels that show up. But, that's what you get when you buy cheap.
Overall, I think the camera isn't bad. It's not great or even good. It's definitely better than a regular webcam. I'm going to head out to the desert this weekend and give it a better shot.
++++++++++++++++++ Troy Davidson www.istroyworking.com
participants (5)
-
erikhansen＠thebluezone.net -
Jim Stitley -
Patrick Wiggins -
Robert Taylor -
Troy Davidson