Digiscoping
- Thread starter nanoboy
- Start date
I looked into this a few months ago, the only ones I could find that were good quality and could attach to a camera were Swarovski - the same people who make the crystal glass animals (the really good ones). One of their scopes cost around $3000, and the camera attachment another $1800.
I decided to get a better lens instead.
Hix
I decided to get a better lens instead.
Hix
nanoboy
Well-Known Member
I looked into this a few months ago, the only ones I could find that were good quality and could attach to a camera were Swarovski - the same people who make the crystal glass animals (the really good ones). One of their scopes cost around $3000, and the camera attachment another $1800.
I decided to get a better lens instead.
Hix
Yikes!! $5k is a bit too much. Yup, a better lens sounds like the way to go then.
I recently saw some pages on the web regarding digiscoping, and while the very basic attempts involve using a compact camera and putting it up to the eyepiece of a scope and taking a picture, there appear to be some other systems that are available that are not quite at the Swarovski end of the scale.
So maybe nanoboy (and anyone else interested in this option) might find something acceptable to them if they investigate some more. But all the discussions said pretty much two important things - the better the quality of the scope, the better the image ; and you need to use a tripod as the system is just too damn heavy and awkward otherwise.
Hix
So maybe nanoboy (and anyone else interested in this option) might find something acceptable to them if they investigate some more. But all the discussions said pretty much two important things - the better the quality of the scope, the better the image ; and you need to use a tripod as the system is just too damn heavy and awkward otherwise.
Hix
nanoboy
Well-Known Member
I recently saw some pages on the web regarding digiscoping, and while the very basic attempts involve using a compact camera and putting it up to the eyepiece of a scope and taking a picture, there appear to be some other systems that are available that are not quite at the Swarovski end of the scale.
So maybe nanoboy (and anyone else interested in this option) might find something acceptable to them if they investigate some more. But all the discussions said pretty much two important things - the better the quality of the scope, the better the image ; and you need to use a tripod as the system is just too damn heavy and awkward otherwise.
Hix
I am quite interested in this one: Celestron Ultima 80 - 45° 20-60x Spotting Scope | OZScopes
I have been doing some reading up on it since my original post, and it appears that they sell adapters for this brand/line that can be connected to a Canon camera.
You are right though: the contraption will be quite heavy, and with the high magnification (read: camera shake), a tripod will be essential.
My wife does not see very well through binoculars, so if I can get this to work, I would use the LCD screen of my camera to display the live image from the scope.
I hope you realize that you will have NO aperture adjustments. It will be a fixed aperture only, probably something like f11 (which is not very good) and the only way to set exposure is by changing the camera shutter speed or ISO.
Camera shake at that aperture and that magnification is a huge problem, which means to get non blurry images even on a sunny day you are setting the ISO to a minimum of 800 and more likely 1600. Images in low light are virtually impossible.
For zoo work, this setup is IMO completely impractical. Not only is it a huge setup to carry around, but everyone who sees you is going to ask if you are on assignment for National Geographic (I am not joking, even though anyone remotely familiar with the magazine should know they do not use zoo shots). The zoo staff, depending on the facility, may also question your motives. The only people who really use these as far as I know are wild bird photographers and if that is a major interest of yours it might be worthwhile. But for zoos forget it, just buy a telephoto lens.
I am not trying to be negative, I am trying to save you from plunking down money for something that will not be a real solution. If you want advice on good telephoto lenses for Canon, try a photography forum or you can send me a PM (I am a Canon user and photo instructor at a pro photo lab).
Camera shake at that aperture and that magnification is a huge problem, which means to get non blurry images even on a sunny day you are setting the ISO to a minimum of 800 and more likely 1600. Images in low light are virtually impossible.
For zoo work, this setup is IMO completely impractical. Not only is it a huge setup to carry around, but everyone who sees you is going to ask if you are on assignment for National Geographic (I am not joking, even though anyone remotely familiar with the magazine should know they do not use zoo shots). The zoo staff, depending on the facility, may also question your motives. The only people who really use these as far as I know are wild bird photographers and if that is a major interest of yours it might be worthwhile. But for zoos forget it, just buy a telephoto lens.
I am not trying to be negative, I am trying to save you from plunking down money for something that will not be a real solution. If you want advice on good telephoto lenses for Canon, try a photography forum or you can send me a PM (I am a Canon user and photo instructor at a pro photo lab).
Last edited:
nanoboy
Well-Known Member
Yeah, you have raised some good points there about the aperture and ISO.
This set up is not for zoo photography: it is strictly for outdoor birding. A good Canon telephoto zoom is really expensive, so I was looking for an alternative, affordable solution. Also, I will never be a good photographer, so I merely want to be able to get a half decent photo of a bird for later identification.
Long and short is that I am after a solution that does not cost $2,000+, so I am open to suggestions.
In that case, for your purposes the scope may be a workable solution.
nanoboy
Well-Known Member
I have been lusting over some digiscoping gear for a few months, and I finally decided to take the plunge. I bought the following items online from ozscopes.com.au:
- Celestron Ultima 80 20-60x40 45 Angled Spotting Scope with Bak-4 Prisms - $408.46
- Celestron T-Ring for 35 mm Canon EOS Camera - $24.95
- Celestron Digital Camera Adapter - Universal - $128.20
- Saxon HVT11 Heavy Duty Tripod for Binoculars, Cameras and Spotting - $180.45
TOTAL: $742.06
I initially thought it was expensive, but then I remembered that my Canon 18-200mm lens cost about the same.
I was taken aback by the weight of the scope (1.7kg) and the heavy duty tripod (4.5kg) and I do wonder about the practicality of it all. However, the main reason I bought this gear is because my wife cannot see well through a binoculars, and I wanted a way for her to see the birds live rather than in a photo. In this regard, I am pleased to say that the gear delivers. The pics below should give you an idea of how it all looks. I can't attach more than one pic with an iPad, so I'll attach one pic per post.
- Celestron Ultima 80 20-60x40 45 Angled Spotting Scope with Bak-4 Prisms - $408.46
- Celestron T-Ring for 35 mm Canon EOS Camera - $24.95
- Celestron Digital Camera Adapter - Universal - $128.20
- Saxon HVT11 Heavy Duty Tripod for Binoculars, Cameras and Spotting - $180.45
TOTAL: $742.06
I initially thought it was expensive, but then I remembered that my Canon 18-200mm lens cost about the same.
I was taken aback by the weight of the scope (1.7kg) and the heavy duty tripod (4.5kg) and I do wonder about the practicality of it all. However, the main reason I bought this gear is because my wife cannot see well through a binoculars, and I wanted a way for her to see the birds live rather than in a photo. In this regard, I am pleased to say that the gear delivers. The pics below should give you an idea of how it all looks. I can't attach more than one pic with an iPad, so I'll attach one pic per post.
Attachments
nanoboy
Well-Known Member
View on DSLR screen at x60 zoom at a building so far away that I have no idea where it is - probably a different postcode for all I know.
All in all, the rig won't win any photography prizes, but it should be able to allow my wife to see the birds a bit better. I can't wait to test it in the field.
All in all, the rig won't win any photography prizes, but it should be able to allow my wife to see the birds a bit better. I can't wait to test it in the field.
Attachments
nanoboy
Well-Known Member
Cheers. I missed this post - we must have posted at the same time.
Yeah it's a nice piece of kit, but I do wonder how often I would use it though. I would use a super telephoto lens a bit more, but they don't cost just $750. I don't know what toy I want next though - probably a trail cam.