This is the Lunacam.

It's actually a Quickcam VC modified to accept standard 35mm SLR camera lenses.

Whilst searching the net for webcam modification ideas, I came across a few mods that were able to use standard 35mm camera lenses. As I own a 35mm SLR camera and a few lenses, I thought I'd give it a go. Using my second Quickcam VC, I started by popping open the shell and removed the lens and lens holder off the circuit board. I did a couple of measurements on my SLR camera to determine the correct distance between the film plane and the back of the lens. This distance is crucial to enable the lens to focus to infinity. Too much of a gap will result in the lens not been able to focus past a few feet. To get an accurate idea of the distance required, I decided to experiment with some cardboard tubes. The first task was to fix my Prinzgalaxy 200mm lens into a clamp and set the focus to the lowest setting (10ft), I then placed a plant 10ft away from the lens. I taped a cardboard tube to the front of the Quickcam and slid the other end of the tube onto the back of the lens. This enabled me to slide the tube forward and backward on the lens until I got a clear image of the plant, in focus. Once this was done, I measured the length of cardboard tube and cut a length of plastic drainpipe the same length. The webcam was taped onto the back of the pipe and with a bit of neoprene rubber to protect it, the lens was pushed into the front. Here's the webcam mod with the results.

Modification ready for testing.

Small cactus at 10ft	Chimney pots at 60ft	City centre office at 1 mile

A more permanent and durable solution was now needed instead of a plastic tube and tape. I thought of mounting a T2 mount onto the front of the Quickcam shell, but, as all my lenses are M42 threaded or use a T2 to M42 mount that I already have for my camera, I opted for an M42 mount. After obtaining an old M42 mount off a scrapped SLR camera body, I proceeded to mark the cams shell ready for cutting. The first step was to pop open the shell and remove the circuit. I marked a line around the empty shell, the diameter of the mount and cut the front off the shell with a hacksaw. I carefully sanded the front of the shell until it was perfectly flat so that the CCD when mounted back in the shell would sit parallel to the flat front of the mount.

The Quickcam body during modification

When I popped open the shell to remove the circuit, I broke the clips. So, after reinstalling the circuit, I used spots of Super glue to hold the shell closed and epoxy resin to glue the mount onto the front of the shell. Once dry, I used the plastic pipe as a measuring guide and two M42 extension tubes to achieve the correct distance for me to focus to infinity.

Finished Quickcam Lunacam.

Lunacam with collection of lenses.

Lunacam, Helios 50mm lens and filter holder.

Lunacam and Prinzgalaxy 200mm telephoto lens. Picture of the moon taken with this set-up.

Lunacam and Paragon 500mm telephoto lens. close-up of Moon with this combination.

I've just bought two auto tele converters, so, I will be experimenting with these during my next Moon imaging session. They are a 2x and 3x teleconverter . These will basically double and treble the focal length of any lens that I use. I'm looking forward to trying these with the 500mm telephoto lens.

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