From: "Tim" <tjp314@pacbell.net>

Date: June 25, 2005 9:03:43 AM MDT

To: Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: a couple of questions

Willie:

I should add to that:  The fire-i camera has a spring under the lens so it doesn't lose focus 

too easily.  If you cut the flange off the lens so you can remove and replace the lens 

without opening the case, the spring will likely get lost in the case (unless you take it out 

as well).

-Tim.

--- In Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com, "Tim" <tjp314@p...> wrote:

Hi Willie!

I believe there are a number of outfits making webcam adapters  now.  I bought one at 

RTMC a year ago, and he was there again this year.  Scopetronix.com sells them  online.  

Be careful, though.  I have the Aplux version  of  the  Unibrain Fire-i, and it looks like 

the 

version of the camera in the case has a smaller lens mount than most webcams (8mm 

versus 12mm), so my webcam adapter wouldn't fit.  I ended up epoxying a 35mm film 

can 

with the bottom cut out to the outside of the case (which didn't hold well, so I've done it 

again).  The board cameras without the case have a 12mm lens mount (go figure).  My 

camera is a used one that's a few years old though, so I don't know if the same is true of 

the new ones.

To get the lens off, you'll have to take the case apart.  Most webcams with "removable" 

lenses have flanges on the lens housing that keeps them from unscrewing all the way 

out 

(so they don't fall off when focusing).  One camera I own, I put the lens housing in a 

lathe 

and cut the flange off, so I could remove the lens without taking the case apart.

best,

-Tim.

--- In Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com, Willie Strickland <willie@i...> wrote:

I went out and tried the Fire-I and Astro IIDC thursday night.  I had 

a blast, but need some help.  I definitely need an adapter.  I used a 

rubber band to hold it on the eyepiece thursday.

1. Anyone know where I can get the webcaddy adapter in the states?  I 

am fairly certain that I saw a vendor that carried them in my recent 

web travels.  But I didnt make a bookmark.  Just trying to avoid the 

delay ordering from Australia.

2. Anyone know which adapter to get for the Fire-I?

3. How do I get the lens off the Fire-I?  I thought it would just 

unscrew, but it got very tight and I didnt want to force it.

4. Anyone written any tutorials on using Astro IIDC yet?

-- 

Willie Strickland

willie@i...