iSight camera exposure time control for astrophotography

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iSight camera exposure time control for astrophotography

Does anyone know of a way, or an application that allows you to control the shutter speed/exposure time when taking a photo with an external iSight camera?

I am trying to adapt an external iSight camera for astro-photography. There are some excellent tutorials on how to remove the optics to expose the ccd, here. However for certain imaging you need long exposure shots like one could achieve with a DSLR. iGlasses is great for some control, but according to their customer support, does not allow control of the exposure time.

For other webcams there are suggested physical modifications including the use of a soldering iron! I am hoping that someone will be able to point me in the direction of a more elegant software solution! Most astronomy forum users recommend getting a netbook; I can't believe that this isn't something that a mac cannot do better!

Hope that some of you out there who know much more than I do can help out.

Many thanks,

Phil

Posted on Feb 27, 2012 1:46 AM

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Answer 1

EZ Jim

Level 7

22,590 points

Feb 27, 2012 8:58 AM in response to philjamesw

Not for what you are trying to do.

I don't use anything like you seek, but http://www.outcastsoft.com/ASCASTROIIDC.html offers OS X software for compatible IIDC cameras (other than external iSight.) According to their site:

... Apple's FireWire iSight will never be supported as it lacks IIDC modes we need and is not capable of doing extended CCD exposure times. ...

If that is accurate, your Mac/OS X choices include acquiring:

(1) a supported IIDC camera,

(2) a UVC webcam that can work with something like

http://www.phoboslab.org/log/2009/07/uvc-camera-control-for-mac-os-x

(3) or a DSLR that offers Mac OS X compatible software for the features you need.

If none of those are acceptable within your needed timeframe, my only remaining suggestion would be to find software that does what you want and then buy whatever camera and computer is compatible with it.

Message was edited by: EZ Jim

Mac OSX 10.7.3

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Answer 2

philjamesw Author

Level 1

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Mar 9, 2012 2:22 PM in response to EZ Jim

Thanks for the help. I have managed the first step, taking out the lens and have used it to get some half decent lunar images. I am now thinking about attacking this from a diffenrent direction an trying to adapt some of the hardware modifications used on other webcams. I have some more questions, but will start a new post.

Thanks again,

Phil

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Answer 3

EZ Jim

Level 7

22,590 points

Mar 9, 2012 3:00 PM in response to philjamesw

You're most welcome, Phil.

Message was edited by: EZ Jim

Mac OSX 10.7.3

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