[Sonsey]

I've been looking into this recently after I spotted some cheap scopes on ebay. Has anyone attempted any Digiscoping themselves, if so how did you get on?

[Dabhand16]

I've not tried it myself, but a bloke I work with does quite a lot of digiscoping - he uses a Nikon digiscope that cost £1600

You'll need a VERY sturdy tripod and be prepared to experiment with exposure and focus until you get to know what works.

[AQ]

I have tried this.

In short although I still have all the gear I almost never use it. That must say something. I have also only every seen one or two other people using it. I do not remember seeing anyone using a DSLR for this just bridge and compact cameras

I think you can get custom systems for some Nikon cameras. Other than that you have to get some rig to hold the camera to the scope and the choice of camera and scope lens is vital. Not all cameras work. It depends on the optics. Low zoom models are usually best you need to try them with your scope. I have a Kowa telescope and used a Canon Ixus 800 camera with it. I used a 20 times wide lens on the scope. My zoom lens for the scope was useless.

The main problem as has been said is stability. You need a cable release. I made one up myself as most cameras do not have a socket for one. However if anyone in the hide moves the floor will probably shake

Focusing is difficult as you have to use the screen. I ware glasses and found it a real problem due to the scree resolution. Also the DOF is about 1 mm at 100 meters or so it seems .

I did get some passable shots BUT the detail was never good enough. Once you have been used to what a DSLR (or even a compact) can do I was always unsatisfied. I did get one of a Hen Harrier flying straight towards me full frame that was almost in focus. Well sort of more or less (I am kidding myself.)

I have seen some photos that were good. Perhaps the system I had was not good enough or my skill was not.

[JMitchell]

I've done it too. You'd need a) a very good scope, and b) like said a very sturdy tripod.

IQ isn't amazing, but on the other hand, the zoom factor is!
You can get mounts for a dSLR, but this is quite expensive and complicated...
Some people might like it for getting that shot, but generally I think it's not terribly applicable

[silkstone]

With a (D)SLR the big problem is vignetting, and generally you need a special eyepiece/adapter. I have a decent Opticron scope and have never managed to get good results with an SLR, but.... it is much easier with a compact camera that has a smaller lens.

[Sonsey]

Thanks for the replies everyone

I have been looking into it over the past week so I realise that a 3x zoom compact connected to the scope with an adapter is most suited, I was just wondering if any of the cheap scopes currently on ebay would be suitable to use as a starter scope. This isn't something I'd want to get into in a big way (e.g spending big bucks on it), more just a nice relaxing distraction over the summer if possible.

[AQ]

These are some of the better pictures I got with the system I used.







Kowa 604 with 20 times wide eyepiece. Canon Ixus 800. Full frame at about 100 meters for the harrier and 40 meter for the waders. Although the distance estimates could be a way out

I have seen better examples but I do not know what they were taken with. In the end I was just not satisfied with the quality.

[Sonsey]

Thanks AQ, interesting results. I think I'll keep looking into this a bit more but it looks like it could be pretty expensive to get the quality I'd want.

[JMitchell]

When I tried it it was at the Wetlands Centre in Barnes, and my results were less than spectacular, as you can see:

[AQ]

Originally Posted by Sonsey

Thanks AQ, interesting results. I think I'll keep looking into this a bit more but it looks like it could be pretty expensive to get the quality I'd want.

But still cheaper than that Canon 1200 mm lens.

[Sonsey]

Originally Posted by Anthraquinone

But still cheaper than that Canon 1200 mm lens.

Isn't everything!?