Does anyone Digiscope?

Just wondering if anyone here does their birding with scope and camera and their opinion's. Was thinking of giving it a try if its actually worth it. I did some pricing and looked at some pictures done this way. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Burd

All my pics are done that way. Can't afford a decent camera!

Resin

Last was a Reed Bunting; here's a Bohemian Waxwing

And a Goosander

Resin, those photos are gorgeous!! What kind of set-up do you have?

Those look pretty good Resin, I may give this more thought now, I was able to find everything I need for mounting my Canon S5Is. What kind of scope do you use and do you get alot of vignetting?

I'm thinking of buying a Vortex Universal adapter so that I can attach my Nikon 5600 Coolpix to the rear on my spotting scope.

Anyone ever try something like that?

Resin, you pics are outstanding, do tell us what you are using.

hack

Well I wont be buying a Swarovski lol, I think I found a nice lil package for about 250 bucks.

Kowa TS-614 (a fairly old model, not sure they still make it), plus Fuji FinePix E550. I just hold the camera up to the 'scope by hand, no mounting device. Of course it means a lot (let's be honest, most nearly all!) of my pics come out cr@p, but the occasional one is fairly good.

Here's one that didn't do so well . . . (Red Knot and Ruff)

Resin

Or this . . . (Ruff and Dunlin)

And if the bird is any distance at all, forget it . . . that grey smudge is a Great Grey Shrike, but it was a good way off . . .

Mounting devices - they improve the photos a fair bit, by aligning the camera to the 'scope more accurately, and holding it steadier without hand shake. The down sides to them are (1) they are a ridiculous price for a lump of plastic*, and (2) they take a lot of time to fit the camera, and to remove it again after. By the time you're done, the bird has flown . . . And it is also of course time not spent looking at the bird and enjoying seeing it. So although it would improve my photos to use one, I don't plan to get one.

Unfortunately, birding and taking good photos just don't mix, something that has frequently been pointed out on numerous forums. I consider myself primarily a birder, with photos only a very secondary interest (now you know why I don't tend to post all that many pics here!!).

* I know of people who have made quite good mounting devices for free from an empty plastic water bottle and some padding, but point #2 still applies!

Resin

That's an incredible pic Resin!

I appreciate your dedication to the "old school way" of birding and Ive seen many who do it that way still, and Ive read about the time it may take to work for a shot. At the same time Ive seen some "bird photographer's" carrying some pretty good size equipment which gave me the impression there was something to it. I guess I wouldn't want to buy a cheap scope if the result's were not worth the money, and there is no way I would spend a lot of money for something that may be a hassle. I seen a couple of "bird photographer's" strike out on picture's because the "fixed" equipment was to large and the bird's were too close for what they had. All in all I guess I'll just pick up a camera before spring next year that I can buy lenses for. Thank's for the imput Resin.

Okay, I don't get it.

I held my Nikon Coolpix 5600 up to my spotting scope and I only see the tiniest bit of an image. Resin, your pics looks fairly large and highly focused. When I apply a little zoom to my Coolpix the filed of the image gets larger, but I loose the focus. Is there a trick to it?

I also wear glasses, so how's the best way to get the combo in sharp focus.

Hack

Hi Hack, Ive read those who wear glasses can get some reflection that will throw the picture off, and you will get some vignetting (the shady circle around your picture) I guess with a scope you may end up cropping most of you pictures to get rid of the shadow unless you like the effect on that particular picture.
Myself I didnt want to dump money into if I was not going to be completely happy, like Resin said we want to enjoy the moment more than anything, and not fart around with taking a camera off your setup because the bird was to darn close or putting it back on because it was too far away. But hey if you get it going show us some pics for sure.

Hi Burd, I think I've come to the conclusion that digiscoping maybe be fun to tinker with, but I wonder if it is worth the equipment hastle, time/frustration and $$$ investment to do it.

I'll just keep using my new Panasonic FZ28 camera. It has range of 3, 5, 7, 10 mega-pix and 18x mag built in. I've discovered that 3 meg at 18x delivers a much bigger pic, than 10 meg at 18x. I also have a 2x conversion lens so I'm not really hurting for snapping closeups - with the 2x lens on, its shooting 36x.

So, I reckon, digiscoping may not be for me. But before your thread, I had never even heard of it, so I think you for that. I do envy Resin those super good pics he showed us on here, though.

Hack

This message was edited Aug 28, 2009 1:00 AM

This site is what sparked my interest... The picture's were taken with the top of the line Swarovski an 80HD or whatever lol which is like 2 grand :| , I guess it made my mouth water for a bit lol
http://www.digiscoperoftheyear.us/

This is interesting. I have been trying to get this to work for a while now, as my birds and wildlife tend to be a distance and best viewed through the scope.

We have a pretty nice scope, old, but good. My older camera took horrid pictures that would not focus, when using the spottng scope. My new camera does better, but I have to zoom to max to get it to work, then I get a shine from the lenses.

I figured out myself, that the pricey adapters only held the camera. So I have been experimenting.

I suppose I need to get rid of the auto focus on the camera huh? duh, and do it the hard way?

I have some very good eagles that hang around in the same spot for a long time and let me keep trying. But so far, I have not gotten a decent picture.

Sure would like to get a picture half as good as yours Resin!

In certain situations I have to agree with Resin about birding and photography not mixing well. When I've taken my camera /tripod on these guided bird walks it is quite a pain and I feel much more relaxed when I leave the camera behind. That being said I am not in agreement that you are either a "birder" or a "photographer" and the two can't mix.

There are many sites that have "home made" ways of digiscoping along with the pre made ones. If I have time later I'll try to get you some links. It may not be to your liking but they are all worth looking at. :-)

Remarkable shots Resin, especially considering the technique used. A light monopod with a removable shoe mount is what I use when a tripod would be too much to drag around, helps if it has a sling attached. Still, I gave up underwater photography because it took away from the experience. Sometimes ‘ya just want to enjoy the moment…

pelletory... since were not a birder or a photographer (what are we?) please I would like to know. Are you a birder? but you post photograph's hmmm what's that make you then? I'm confused. Never mind who give's a cr@p.

I consider myself a Nature Photographer with a special emphasis on birds. I am also a birder although not to the same degree as some. My personal philosophy is that if I didn't photograph it, I didn't see it. I don't count birds that I hear or thought I heard, like some. So far, I have photographed 150 different bird species with decent representation. 400+ different species are seen each year in Maryland. So, I have a long way to go. But it's a reasonable objective, not an obsession. The joy is in the journey.

Whatever one uses to satisfy their desire is just fine. You're the only one that you have to please. Digiscoping is a discipline all to its own and there is a learning curve. Like with anything, the quality improves with the more dollars that you are willing to spend (to a point).

Just being outdoors with nature is a blessing by itself. Enjoy it while you can ........ I do !

…and I don't consider myself a birder or a photographer. Just a hobbyist. But Many times even with a field book, I can't ID something unless I have a picture. sigh.

Burd I think you misunderstood me, I'll D mail you. It is not the way I feel at all.

I consider myself a birder and a photographer. The key thing is to Enjoy yourself and follow the "Principle of Birding Ethics". Meeting new people and learning things is another plus along with being outside a lot.

https://www.aba.org/bigday/ethics.pdf

Mrs Ed, I know what you mean. Unless I can immediately write down the features of a bird (when there is not a camera handy) than I will not remember them. :-(

Here's another thing. I cannot for the LIFE of me use binoculars. It's easier for me to use the camera! So I often just click anyway. Stinky pictures though. I've been considering getting a birding scope for this very reason.

A good scope is a wonderful thing!

The main thing with binoculars is to keep yours eyes on the bird as you raise the binoculars up to your eyes. If you look away from the bird at anytime you'll probably lose sight of it. That was yesterdays lesson at the park. I experimented with that a few times and it really is true. :-)

I'm due for a new pair of binoculars very soon.

Well, I borrowed my son's Nikon L15 point and shoot and held it to the rear of my $55 NcStar 20-60x60 spotting scope (I think I'm going to have to get a better spotting scope). I think pell hit the nail on the head when he said a good scope is a wonderful thing.

My son's L15 has a 3x mag (same as my 5600), 8 mega-pix (my 5600 has 5.1) and a much bigger LCD view then my Nikon 5600. The bigger LCD is a definite benefit.

I took many pics with both the L15 and the 5600, but like Resin said, most were cr@p - I found it real hard to hold the camera in just the right attitude behind the scope.. But I quickly came to realize that with a little practice I got better results.

Anyway, in this frame and the next I going to show two on my "best" ones. And I didn't crop them - you can see what I saw.

Now, don't laugh - too much.



This message was edited Aug 29, 2009 12:47 AM

This message was edited Aug 29, 2009 12:49 AM

Here's the other one. This one was with my 5600, the cardinal in the previous frame was with the L15, I think.

Hack

I was right, the date in the bottom right corner of the chipmunk pic proves it was taken with my 5600.

I also realize now that you don't have a lot of time to fool around with setting up the shot, that chipmunk disappeared right after I made the snap.

I did order me a generic shutter release so hands-off off should help. I can use it with any camera that's not taller than 3.5 inches.

I kept my glasses on when I focused the scope and then just held the camera up to it.

I think a 20-60x80 will give me more eye relief, so I'm shopping around for that kind of scope. I think I found one on sale, made by Burris. I going to do a little more research before I drop a dime on it, though. I look at a Swaroski and dang near fainted.

Oh, about being a birder or a photographer - I like to show others what I saw so I definitely like to mix the two.

Hack

This message was edited Aug 29, 2009 1:01 AM

Were ok pelletory thanks for the Dmail. Linth you pretty much summed it up, I like walking/bird's/nature and getting my vitamin D. I consider this a hobby also, and a picture lets you remember the moment. The camera I use currently is my first ever, before that it was disposables and a Camcorder for some reason that got outdated before I even learned the dang thing lol. I guess if your gonna Digiscope you better do it right and spend the dough. Cameras are not very cheap either but seem less of a hassle, well I got all winter here to think about it, I definatley want to be ready for Warbler's next year. Thank's all for your imput..

I dang near fainted to Hack lmao

Hack that Cardinal shot is not that bad considering you just got started, just need's focused better and you got a winner, plus you didn't crop, no vignetting at all, keep em comin lol

I just ordered me a used, but like new, Nikon 5100, off Amazon - highly recommended for digiscoping - $205.99.

Now, if I can just decide on a better spotting scope.

Right now, I like this one:
http://www.binoculars.com/spotting-scopes/bird-watching-spotting-scopes/2060x80mmangledspottingscope.cfm

Hack

Same one I was looking at and the 90mm also.

Thanks Resin.

Hey Burd, I viewed the following youtube digiscopin video and I really liked the setup.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot_SiNvZ-cI

I am probably going to dip into my saving account and duplicate what I saw.

1- Vortex Skyline 20-60x80 spotter ($449.00)
2- Vortex accessory to attach the camera to the scope.(149.99)

Around 600 bucks - Happy Birthday to me.

If I had gotten the Zhumell spotter I linked to, I'd have bought a generic camera mount. It looks like the Vortex set-up is the way for me.

Now I'm gonna go outside and refill my feeders, grab my son's L15 and my 5600 and play around at digiscoping somemore - and do a little bird watching, too.

Burd - see what you started -:)

Hack

Well, I did it.

The Vortex 80mm scope cost me 429.99 and I got a 6x16 monocular to-boot - free shipping
The Vortex MK1 Adaptor cost me 119.99, free shipping, also.

I bought them from select vendors, not Vortex itself. Burd, or anyone else, if you want the web sites, let me know.

Instead of around 600 bucks, it set me back only about $550.

Looking forward to the future.

Hack

This message was edited Aug 29, 2009 2:57 PM

Hack lol sounds like your having some fun :), ill check that youtube link out. thx