Additional AstroPhotography Information

 

The Following is information in addition to actually modifying a quickcam for AstroPhotography.

 

Most of it was provided by other users of this website. If you feel you have anything to offer or even some pictures you have taken, feel free to email me at davidp at this domain. .

 

 

Using a Parallel QuickCam – Michael Fortuna.

 

Remote Control ETX – Dave Wilson.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Using a Parallel QuickCam – Michael Fortuna

 

Thanks for your web page. After reading it, I bought a parallel port
Quickcam VC on ebay. The price new with shipping was about $35. I used a
parallel version since my old laptop has no USB ports. The procedure for the
VC is very similar. The case is not held together with a screw, but three
plastic mounting tabs. There is a small hole you can insert a pick into to
pry the case halves apart. Two of the tabs interfere with the film canister,
so I ended up cutting off all three and using superglue to put the halves
back together. Also, there is a plastic piece that secures the PCB and also
serves as the tripod mound. A little material on this needed to be relieved
since it also interfered with the film canister. Finally, I used a product
called automotive goop to attach the film canister to the CCD mount. This
product is a silicone based adhesive which should allow me to twist and
remove the film canister if so desired. I'm not sure what would happen with
superglue. I did an indoor test run with my ETX60 last night and it worked
great. I hope to try it outdoors soon but as usual, it is snowing in New
England again. If you are interested I cab send you a picture of the end
result.

Thanks again for the inspiration.

Mike

 

31-March-2001

 

Thanks Michael, if you send through some pictures I will post them here for everyone else’s benefit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Remote ETX – Dave Wilson

 

Dave Wilson has an excellent idea for those cold clear nights. He is planning on putting his ETX outside and running the usb cable from the quickcam back into the house. I haven’t tried this yet & I don’t know how far you can run a USB cable (anyone?). He also makes mention of the different types of round QuickCam’s.

 

Thanks Dave.

 

Earlier I had a look at my Logitech camera, and in particular the leaflet that came with it.

 

Logitech seem to do three round beasts :

 

the Quick Cam Pro with resolution of 640 X 480

the Quick Cam Express with resolution 352 X 288

the Quick Cam VC also with resolution of 352 X 288

 

The one I've got is an Express so I shall get hold of a Pro, and have a go.

 

I have always felt that this was the way to go, and as they say you have lit the fuse.

 

I shall let you know how I get on.

 

You will gather that I have an ETX 70. We pay an arm and a leg for parts for it over here. I think you are in the States - they put pound signs in front of the dollar figures     for parts, and what's more they are in short supply.

 

Will keep in touch.

 

Regards

 

 

Dave Wilson

----- Original Message -----

From: David Peters

To: Dave Wilson

Sent: Monday, March 19, 2001 10:29 PM

Subject: Re: Logitech Cam

Let me know if you have any trouble. I will point out something that wasn't in my documentation: you really do need to play with the contrast and brightness settings quite a bit to get things just right. I also suggest that you turn off the auto brightness control.

----- Original Message -----

From: Dave Wilson

To:

Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2001 4:38 AM

Subject: Logitech Cam

 

Thanks Dave . You have started me off on something.

Underneath my desk I have a Logitech Quick Cam Express still in its wrapper - needless to say what is goung to happen to it.

Will have a go and if its O.K. will keep you updated.

The seeing is awful in the U.K. and its really cold at the moment.

I want to put my ETX in the middle of the garden and control it  from the front room.

Thank you for the time and trouble you must have taken to document this --- its printing off as I type.

Cheers

Dave Wilson

 

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