Connectix QuickCam Conversion

The flurry of conversions for the Connectix QuickCam into an astronomical imaging took place in the late 1990's - so starting this conversion now is a bit retro. It is also a matter of serendipity...I had access to a Toshiba 486 laptop and a gentleman by the name of John Campbell just happened to mention that he had a parrallel port webcam - The Connectix QuickCam.

This camera gives 64 shades of grey i.e. it is a 6 bit camera.

The first attempt of using this camera was with the lens screwed right in and afocally coupled with a telescope - it didnt work for me.

Plan B - take the lens out and then add a 35mm film container to the front and push that into telescope - an 800mm f/10. Focussing was difficult and field of view minimal...
I eventually managed to point the system at some lights about 1000m away.

Eventually I managed to find a light in the group marked with the arrow and eventually get it into focus

So by using the slow motion controls I moved up the lights. This sytem will be great...for a well guided telescope..

Chop the ball just in front of the circuit board retainers - hope John doesnt want this back ! Glue to the back of a bellows unit - covering the metal of the bellows connector with tape to avoid shorting the board out. Then put a 42mm screw lens on the front

So what of the results? The first image using a 58mm lens gives a magnification similar to 8x42 binoculars The next image is the same area using a 135mm lens Then a couple of pictures of a Blackcap - obviously plan C works...next for some astronomy!