Cheap Toucam Pros

I think P&P comes to €6. That come to €26 which I think is as good as it get for a toucam adapter.

Where would I get the adapter to connect the ToUcam to my telescope?

Think I saw such an adapter on either Telescope Hs. or Green Witch websites.
They're ~£25 I think.

However, M. O'Connell explained to me that you can use the plastic barrell that a 35mm film is stored in to do the same job.
This barrell fits snugly into a 1.25" eyepiece holder.
1stly, you need to remove the ccd from it's housing (yep - there's no going back!!!)
Then just cut the base off the 35mm barrell and tape the ccd in place.

Focusing is critical when in use.

And that's pretty much it.
Correct me if I've left anything out M!

Now this is all new to me too, so I'll be delighted if it's all so easy.

There are I suppose two ways of using the webcam:
1. Hold the webcam onto an eyepiece (afocal)
2. Remove the front lens from the webcam. Attach an adapter and insert webcam into telescope diagonal.

There are pros and cons to each. With the first, you'll need to try and get the webcam to stay in position. Some people have done this using elastic bands. To be honest, I haven't tried the afocal method. However, from my experience of using a normal digital camera this way, the field of view *might* end up very small. I can't confirm this though - just a hunch.

Most people tend to go with option 2. For this, an adapter is required. As Paul said, the barrel of a film cannister can be used and works fine, except with one point of carification. This is the process involved:
1. Get old 35mm film cannister
2. Cut off bottom of barrel
3. Simply unscrew front lens of webcam - no need to touch or do anything to chip. Lens can be easily screwed back on again afterwards.
3. Sellotape the now hollow tube onto webcam. The tub is narrow at one end and wide at the other. The wide end should be centered over the hole in the webcam where the lens once was.
4. Wait for a clear night!
I used this method for a while but I have now bought a mogg adapter and prefer it. It's more robust and stable, albeit completely overpriced. However, you have to admit, the camera is dirt cheap for what you're getting. I might actually buy a spare webcam just in case.

Some people also use IR blocking filters. Anyone know where these can be bought cheaply?

bought, yes,
cheaply, no

Hi folks

Both the adapter and IR/uv blocking filter can be bought cheaply from Astronomy Irealand. I use both and found them great!

Dave Gradwell

Can you remember the price ??