Quickcam Modifications and Construction Details
Why Bother?
It's a good question. Certainly for a few hundred
bucks one can build a Cookbook CCD that will meet and exceed many commerically
available CCD units, and I certainly expect that a Cookbook CCD, or a comercial unit, is in my
future. But for now, tinkering with this low-cost alternative
has allowed me to learn about CCD imaging in a hands-on fashion.
Further, there's a kind of satisfaction in seeing how far the technology
of these little cameras can be pushed.
What's needed?
Not much. Apart from your optics, you need a Quickcam, some basic hardware and electronic store supplies, and a willingess to break it and toss it in the trash can. You probably won't have to--these are amazingly durable devices. The popular favorite is the black and white Connectix (now Logitech) Quickcam (PC version), the older the better. However, if you read up on the QCUIAG website (QCUIAG stands for Quick Cam and Unconventional Imaging Astronomy Group) you will see that people are hacking apart everything from Quickcams to security cameras to regular video cameras, writing software to capture images, and devising clever ways to mount said devices to their optics. You should visit the site, see the images people are capturing, read the FAQ, and check out the free software. Go there now! About the only other thing that helps is a bit of savvy with computers and computer programs like Photoshop or Picture Window. Oh yeah, a LOT of patience and perseverance is a must.
MAC Quickcam Phase 1:
My initial experiments with converting a Macintosh Quickcam
for astrophotgraphy involved a simple butchering of the "golfball." After
disassembling the unit and removing the electronics, I cut off the front
end of the golfball and inserted a black Kodak-style film canister (which
conveniently fits a 1.25" focuser perfectly) with the end cut off.
This proved very servicable on the telescope but wouldn't allow me to use
the CCD on a camera lens. More modifications were needed.
MAC Quickcam Phase 2:
My second major adaptation to the quickcam involved
making a new housing entirely from PVC fittings. This setup
included mounting the board in such a way that it can easily be used in
two different housings (one for the telescope and one for camera lenses).
MAC Quickcam Phase 3:
A third major adaptation to the CCD unit was completed recently.
This adaptation involved adding some basic cooling in the form of a CPU
fan mounted to the back of the unit.
For all purposes the MAC camera is no longer in use. Dave Allmon's QCV2 software allowing long exposures on the PC camera effectively placed the MAC cam on the shelf. I might try some video capture for planetary imaging at some point, but for now it rests quitely in a camera bag.
Quickcam Model II PC version:
I recently completed a second Quickcam
camera from a PC grayscale Quickcam. My primary intention is to take
advantage of the QCV2 software written by Dave Allmon (For information
go to the QCUIAG website).
Since these contruction modifications were posted, I have built yet another casing for the camera that is a little more compact and allows me to attach my old Konica camera lenses (of which I have several) via a bayonet ring. If I ever get around to taking pictures of it, I will post them.
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