AliExpress Webcams

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Jeff F.
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AliExpress Webcams

#1

Post by Jeff F. »


I see they have Sony IMX based webcams. Has anyone used these?

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Re: AliExpress Webcams

#2

Post by JayTee »


Can you give us a link at to what you are referring? Many of the new "Astro" CMOS cameras use some version of the IMX sensor.

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JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."

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yobbo89 Australia
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Re: AliExpress Webcams

#3

Post by yobbo89 »


There's a few, cheap n nasty, knock off's and complete scam fakes online, you'll have to link the camera you're interested in.
scopes :gso/bintel f4 12"truss tube, bresser messier ar127s /skywatcher 10'' dob,meade 12'' f10 lx200 sct
cameras : asi 1600mm-c/asi1600mm-c,asi120mc,prostar lp guidecam, nikkon d60, sony a7,asi 290 mm
mounts : eq6 pro/eq8/mesu 200 v2
filters : 2'' astronomik lp/badder lrgb h-a,sII,oIII,h-b,Baader Solar Continuum, chroma 3nm ha,sii,oiii,nii,rgb,lowglow,uv/ir,Thousand Oaks Solar Filter,1.25'' #47 violet,pro planet 742 ir,pro planet 807 ir,pro planet 642 bp ir.
extras : skywatcher f4 aplanatic cc, Baader MPCC MKIII Coma Corrector,Orion Field Flattener,zwo 1.25''adc.starlight maxi 2" 9x filter wheel,tele vue 2x barlow .

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Jeff F.
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Re: AliExpress Webcams

#4

Post by Jeff F. »


https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000332 ... web201603_

This is one example, there's several using different sensors. Not that cheap, but perhaps worthwhile. Planetary imaging......autoguiding.....etc.

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Re: AliExpress Webcams

#5

Post by JayTee »


Here is the ZWO ASI "Astro" cam that uses that same sensor.
https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/product/asi290mm

Cheers,
JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."

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Re: AliExpress Webcams

#6

Post by Jeff F. »


https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3290783 ... web201603_

This one has an aluminum case, but it doesn't mention exposure control. The other one would be easier to add a cooler to I think.

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Re: AliExpress Webcams

#7

Post by JayTee »


It looks decent for planetary imaging. The only things you would need to explore is how you get the lens off and adapted to EP barrel size to use it for prime focus, and second, how well is it going to function over time being outside (moisture, dew, dust, etc). Insofar as cooling is concerned, if you're using this camera for planetary imaging cooling is not needed because the subjects are so bright.

Cheers,
JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."

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yobbo89 Australia
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Re: AliExpress Webcams

#8

Post by yobbo89 »


It might be the same chip but it most likely isn't backed by the same support as a business who sells astronomy cameras .

driver support
region of interest (rio)
binning
output format
and frame rate
and possible different types of noise pattern from the circuit components of the board layout.

which may not be up to standards compared to a high end astronomy model .

I can't comment on the cameras itself , but the chip is reasonable, i guess it could be a worthwhile project. typically the sony 291 is used in a lot of security cameras and dash cams due to its low light performance .

you're own your own guinea pig , if you survive then please report back, i would like to turn one of these cheaper models into a night sky camera dome for meteor time laps
scopes :gso/bintel f4 12"truss tube, bresser messier ar127s /skywatcher 10'' dob,meade 12'' f10 lx200 sct
cameras : asi 1600mm-c/asi1600mm-c,asi120mc,prostar lp guidecam, nikkon d60, sony a7,asi 290 mm
mounts : eq6 pro/eq8/mesu 200 v2
filters : 2'' astronomik lp/badder lrgb h-a,sII,oIII,h-b,Baader Solar Continuum, chroma 3nm ha,sii,oiii,nii,rgb,lowglow,uv/ir,Thousand Oaks Solar Filter,1.25'' #47 violet,pro planet 742 ir,pro planet 807 ir,pro planet 642 bp ir.
extras : skywatcher f4 aplanatic cc, Baader MPCC MKIII Coma Corrector,Orion Field Flattener,zwo 1.25''adc.starlight maxi 2" 9x filter wheel,tele vue 2x barlow .

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ARock
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Re: AliExpress Webcams

#9

Post by ARock »


The UVC webcams usually have a max exposure time far less than what is needed for AP. I have one with an AR0130 sensor which has a max exposure of 0.5sec. Try to find what the max exposure time for the one you want before you buy. I use mine as a cheap guide camera.
AR
Scopes: Zhumell Z8, Meade Adventure 80mm, Bushnell 1300x100 Goto Mak.
Mount: ES EXOS Nano EQ Mount, DIY Arduino+Stepper drives.
AP: 50mm guidescope, AR0130 based guidecam, Canon T3i, UHC filter.
EPs: ES82 18,11,6.7mm, Zhumell 30,9mm FJ Ortho 9mm, assorted plossls, Meade 2x S-F Barlow, DGM NPB filter.
Binos: Celestron Skymaster 15x70 (Albott tripod/monopod), Nikon Naturalist 7x35.
Jeff F.
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Re: AliExpress Webcams

#10

Post by Jeff F. »


I believe I'll send away for this one manufactured by ELP using the IMX179 sensor. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3234440 ... web201603_
According to the page the ROM software controls 'Adjustable parameters Brightness Contrast Hue Saturation Sharpness Gamma White
Balance Exposure Focus'. It looks to be a standard M10 thread for the included lens so a simple webcam adapter should work for prime. Not sure if it has an IR filter, it says 'IR cut support'; whatever that means. No mention of binning. I wonder if they can be flashed?

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