How to modify a webcam to use with a telescope

cheddarbounce2 Says:

Jul 29, 2011 - I decided to use a webcam so I bought one. When I put it in the focus rack, all I can see is the secondary mirror with the primary mirror reflection. ( It is a 114mm/1000 Newt reflector) I then heard to insert a 2x barlow lens, so I did.....this made the mirrors look zoomed out even more than before. What shall i do ? Can someone recomed help to me? and recomend a good/decent not too fancy webcam under £15.

YouCanSeeYourFace Says:

Aug 1, 2011 - is there anything else i can use besides a 35mm film canister? anything?

jorowi Says:

Aug 1, 2011 - if you have some kind of tube that will fit in your telescope's eyepiece receptacle you could use that

harijoel Says:

Aug 3, 2011 - faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaake

whiledcam Says:

Aug 16, 2011 - who do you not insert the webcam in the telescoop whitout the white sfehre

jorowi Says:

Aug 16, 2011 - the casing protects the electronics from moisture and dirt

Astromarton Says:

Aug 19, 2011 - You have to remove the webcam's lens before you put it in the focus rack. Then it should work just fine =)btw: the barlow lens just doubles the magnification power so it's not necessarily needed. You'll get a better picture without the barlow anyway.

hashimhashoom Says:

Aug 19, 2011 - Thank You Very Much . I Was Looking For A Way To Take Pictures With My Telescope A Long Time Ago .....

pater429 Says:

Sep 18, 2011 - kind of dissapointing to see the moon, i was hoping to see graan valeys and water:P

NocturalRyte Says:

Oct 4, 2011 - I hear coffee brewing in the background.

jorowi Says:

Oct 4, 2011 - that's not a coffee pot, it's the auto-focus on my camera

usnsquirrel Says:

Oct 28, 2011 - You're an imbeciiiiiile.

greedypigg62 Says:

Nov 24, 2011 - Hi!... I took the lens off my webcam and all i got was snow on my laptops screen... does the 35mm cannister focus the webcam? or eliminate the surrounding light to prevent the snow

jorowi Says:

Nov 28, 2011 - the film canister helps keep the webcam in one place. I've found that older or cheaper cameras work better because they don't try to auto-focus.

greedypigg62 Says:

Dec 1, 2011 - I must have the wrong webcam as mine has a screw off varible focus eye.... Oh well i'll just wait till i get a Digital imager. Thanks for the reply.Greedypigg!

kwiky13 Says:

Dec 28, 2011 - tes serieuxx ou quoi ??

shellybirdy Says:

Jan 16, 2012 - you have some great stuff here

jorowi Says:

Jan 20, 2012 - thanks

Echo4nineteen Says:

Feb 3, 2012 - sounds like you still have the lens on the webcam. you must remove it first.

npngjao Says:

Mar 15, 2012 - Hi there! Thank's for this tutorial. One quick question: did you remove all lens from your webcam? If I do that on mine, all I'll have is the CCD. Is that right? The last lens from mine is a kind of screw-to-focus. Thank's again!

jorowi Says:

Mar 16, 2012 - yes, remove the focusing ring. Your telescope will act as your lens and focuser.

brumster01 Says:

Mar 28, 2012 - hey,im about to buy a webcam for my new telescope,does the Medium Reach Webcam Adaptor 1.25inch fit most webcams if not all that don't have autofocus?

tfrost1980 Says:

Apr 6, 2012 - This mod will only work on a refractor right? Any idea how to adapt a cam to work on a reflector?

jorowi Says:

Apr 13, 2012 - It should work for any telescope.

jorowi Says:

Apr 13, 2012 - I don't know, you have to ask the manufacturer of the adapter.