The CCD Camera Cookbook

Book
Categories:

The CCD Camera Cookbook

by Berry, Kanto and Munger, 8.5" by 11.00", 168 pages, softbound, Includes IBM-PC diskette with software to assist in assembly of the camera and to run the assembled camera, 2 Lbs. ship wt., $29.95.
We also have additional information on our:

1. Upgrade package,
2. Optional circuit boards
3. Free Windows software to run your Cookbook Camera.

For more information about the exciting world of CCD Cameras visit the Cookbook CCD camera World Wide Web site.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Three years ago Texas Instruments declared the TI245 obsolete not because of any lack of performance, but rather that progressive scan imaging has replaced video interlaced scanning in TI’s industrial video camera market. Since that time University Optics easily found sufficient chips to meet demand for Cookbook Cameras however, as of early February 2003 University has been unable to purchase the TI245 at reasonable prices. University continues to look for a "stash" that are cost affordable. THEREFORE, WE RECOMMEND YOU PURCHASE YOUR CCD CHIP PRIOR TO ORDERING THE BOOK AND CIRCUIT BOARDS.

If boards are purchased after the book, please provide software registration number when ordering. Has the cost of a CCD camera held you back from entering this exciting new field? The CCD Camera Cookbook shows how you can build your own 12-bit CCD camera at a fraction of the cost of a ready-made commercial unit. Two extremely sensitive cameras are described in this book. The Cookbook 211 uses the Texas Instruments TC211 CCD chip and produces an image 192 pixels wide by 165 pixels deep, entirely adequate to capture diffraction-limited images of the moon and planets, to search for supernovas in distant galaxies, or to perform precise photometry of stars. The Cookbook 245 uses TI's TC245 chip which can produce an image either 378 pixels wide by 242 pixels deep or one that is 252 by 242 and while it excels as a deep-sky camera it can be used for planetary and lunar imaging, too. If you have access to a lathe, milling machine and a reasonably good electronic "junk" box the cost of materials for the Cookbook 211 will be about $200 and the Cookbook 245, $350. Don't have a lathe and a mill? University Optics offers finished metal parts for the camera head. Purchase of metal parts and other electronics for the Cookbook 245 will then probably be in the neighborhood of $500.00. Book includes ready to use IBM-PC image acquisition software and instructions on how make an accessory that adapts your finished camera into a sensitive and accurate autoguider. In the process of writing this book over a dozen cameras have been built by amateur astronomers and every camera has worked! If you know how to solder, have average dexterity and follow the instructions in this book you can make a CCD camera because the computer aided electronic assembly and check out software included with the book make assembling the camera virtually foolproof.

Click here for Table of Contents in PDF

Click here for PDF file of Chapter 1, Introduction (1.4Mb)

Comments From Cookbook Camera Builders From Around The World:

"Building the Cookbook 245 has been a very exciting process from components to images, Thanks for all your efforts in the Cookbook camera."

--Chris Lasley, Conway, AR

"Overall I am very pleased at the sensitivity, scale, and resolution of the Cookbook camera. Thanks for bringing this technology to those of us with more interest than money!"

--Richard Luben, Riverside, CA

"I am very satisfied with the Cookbook 211 camera and AP211 software, and I look forward to upgrading to the CB245. Now I look forward to the dark nights after the summer."

--Joar Uteng, Sellebakk, Norway

"I have enjoyed working on my 245 camera. I have successfully completed all tests on the electronics and am awaiting the receipt of the CCD chip itself. I have built a number of electronic projects before, and I found CARD and PREAMP assembly programs very helpful in making sure everything works."

--Edward Dadurka, Spotsylvania, PA

"Thank you for making CCD astronomy accessible to the little guy (amateurs)."

--James Kessel, Tucson, AZ

"I am having all sorts of fun with the camera. It actually seems to work quite well on my LX200 in alt-az mode. No problems with 2 minute exposures. I've used the LX200 equatorially on a pier as well, and that is quite satisfactory. We're hoping to step into planetary imaging and get some images of the Big Smack next Wednesday night."

--Jim Hall, Laguna Beach, CA

"Last weekend was first light for my Cookbook 245. I have alternately enjoyed and cursed this project, but basically it has been fun."

--Phil Coleman, Olivenhain, CA

"This has been a very exciting and fun project for me. I just want to thank you."

--Donald Scholtz, Laurel, NY

"I have just completed construction of the Cookbook 245 CCD imaging camera. The thrill of collecting images with this instrument is hard to describe!"

--Robert Rosenstein, Ellicott, MD

"I credit Astronomical Image Processing with inspiring me to save the money for the Cookbook camera. Also I was quite impressed with the quality of parts I received from University Optics. It seems that just about every precaution was used to insure a successful completion of the camera. I'm a Journeyman Instrumentation Tech, amateur radio operator, and all-around electronics/science nut, and have built enough kits and home-brew projects to appreciate quality and attention to detail when I see it."

--Daryl Dacko, Linwood, MI

"I have been using my Cookbook 245 camera for a little over a month now and it works quite well. I am very pleased."

--Dario Sauhami, Mandelieu, France