Webcam questions

I am confused. From SBIG through DSI to webcams, where should a novice expect to begin? I have been fiddling with an LPI unit, but I'd like to move up to something with some more potential for both planets and deep sky using a 10-inch LX200GPS on a Meade superwedge. I can collimate it, and align it and am about ready to try pointing it at the sky for real. Realistically, I don't want to be a dude with a $200 horse and saddle, and 10 cents' worth of experience. Any kind thoughts or advice on pitfalls to avoid would be most welcome.

Kim Jordan

Good question. A webcam is the perfect place for a novice to start with photography. The exposures are all based on storing and processing a short video of the target, say a minute or so of 0.1 second exposures. Because of this:
- Cost is low ($100 or so for a Toucam with adapter, and excellent stacking and processing software is available free or low cost);
- Because individual exposures are very short, top of the line equipment is not necessary (any guided mount will do);
- Because exposures are short, you can quickly see the results and improve your technique on the fly (no guiding an exposure for hours only to find out the camera shutter was set on 1/1000.
- Very gratifying results are possible with modest equipment (your stock 10" SCT + webcam + laptop can produce results that rival the best professional ground-based photos of 15 years ago.)

But there are limitations: a webcam is best suited for bright objects (lunar/solar/planetary). As soon as you decide to go for deep sky targets, you are generally committing to expensive mounts, high-$$ cameras, and a steep learning curve. It is possible (barely) to do decent deep sky photography with a digital SLR camera and your scope, but that path will be much less rocky if you have had success with webcam photography. Hope this helps,

Tim