On Dec 8, 2005, at 4:01 PM, Padu wrote:

> Right now I'm looking at 3 CCD models (1/2" and 1/3" sensor), from  
> Cohu,
> Hitachi and Kowa. Shutter speed varies, but they are mostly in the  
> range
>  1/60 to 1/20000 sec. They have models that can drive auto-iris lenses,
>  but I think considering my budget I will stick with manual iris lenses
>  in order to have a better control of field depth.
>

All Electronics currently has a camera or two and a pretty good  
selection
of fast C-mount lenses.  $300 will get you a high resolution color sony
camera and their most expensive lens (5-50mm F1.4 varifocal with auto  
iris.)
Half that price will get you a lower resolution or B&W (high res) camera
and fixed focal length lens...  (I don't know if your administration  
will
like All any better than eBay, but I've bought stuff from them and  
they're
among the more professional of surplus dealers...

http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi? 
type=store&category=135

But I still think it would be worth a try just putting a faster lens
on your existing webcam (no software changes!)  Do you know if the
max shutter speed on your webcam is fast enough to be acceptable
(assuming that there is enough light to allow that shutter speed!)

BillW
-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist