How to Build a Spy Telescope With Webcam
(3 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
Ever wanted to get a powerful telescope that is also able to record what you see on your computer. Well, this little video shows how to make a spy telescope using a webcam and telelens. This seems a very achievable way to build a powerful telescope on a small budget.
The two main accessories needed is a webcam and telelens. Telelens can be obtained at online stores and are fairly cheap. You will also need a few plumbing materials such as pipes, endcaps, etc to piece the whole thing together.
The video itself is well explained and quite easy to follow, which is not always the case with how-to videos of this type.
Basically, the webcam needs to be dismantled so that you can get the lens and have it fitted to a PVC part so that it matches the lens, by obtaining one in hardware store. The lens then need to fitted to an adapter before putting the web cam in and then putting the end cap on. The distance between the lens and the camera needs to be worked out by playing around with the focus until you have attained the right focus. You can then glue it together.
To get a better understanding of how everything is pieced together you will need to watch video and probably go over it few times.
You can get lens with greater focal length to enhance the magnification. That will be up to you.
Some of the shots with examples shown on the video are quite impressive. You get an extremely close-up of the target once you have found the correct focus. According to the creator of the video, you can also get really good view of the craters on the moon, so it could be ideal for star glazing.
Another advantage of building a webcam telescope is that it allows for recording on your hard drive. If you are a wildlife enthusiast you can do a bit of bird spotting, or if you a more sinister kind, you can perhaps record what your neighbours get up to. Make sure not to get caught though!
Like any of these videos, the success is judged by whether others are being able to follow the instructions and build it succesfully for themselves. Judging by a few of the responses to the video it seems this has been quite a big hit and quite a few people seem to have been very impressed with the resulting telescope and its focus.
