Digiscoping
Help,
Advice & Lessons for All!

Hi Danny, I am new to digiscoping and would like a lesson. Will you be offering any lessons early in May. I am going to Bempton Cliffs towards the end of May and before then would like some tips so that I can make the best of my rtip.

Thanks

Steve

Just found your website and very interesting details about digiscoping....all started by me searching for a scope as a birdwatcher for the past 30 years..never had a scope, but a keen photographer.  can I buy an adaptor for the celestron regal F-ED80 i am considering. I use an Olympus E600....

Cheers

Peter

Hi there,

Looking at the scope that you describe I think there will only be one real possibility for you.

You would need one of THESE

You would just need to measure the diameter of your eyepiece to make sure that its no more than 45mm across. If your eyepiece is bigger they do make a version of the same adapter to fit bigger eyepieces so you could search Ebay for one if you needed too.

They are a pretty simple adapter, but good enough to get the job done!

What compact are you hoping to use?

Regards,

Danny.

Hi, some advice please?

I've a Helios Fieldmaster Sky/Field 60mm scope I want to use for digiscoping adventures.

Can you advise which adapter/s will suit this model for connection onto a compact digital-zoom camera?

Many thanks -digiscoping newby

Hi Gaz,

Its no hassle! Its a shame the compact adapter didnt work out for you. It was a bit of a long shot if I remember. However, please remember it takes time, and my first pictures were complete dross, so don't expect to be able to digiscope perfectly when you've only just begun!

Its a common error to think that digiscoping is just like using a camera on its own because its not. When one couples two bits of equipment that were never designed to work together then you kinda have to make them work and that takes time.

Anyway, with DSLR digiscoping it is better to directly connect using just an adapter and a T2 mount. The scope then acts as your lens. The method is a little harder to master as you won't have the luxury of an adjustable aperture. It will be fixed at around f12 on the Opticron scope and adapter set up (which makes things pretty dark) so you will have to make adjustments through the camera such as raising and lowering the ISO to help you gain exposure. You will need to use the camera in Aperture Priority (Av) mode.

The adapter you will need is the Opticron 40215 and you will also need a Canon EF T2 mount. If you unscrew the eyepiece on your scope then the adapter should screw on in the eyepieces place. Then attach your T2 mount and then your camera body.

Thats about it!

Let me know how you get on!

Regards,

Danny.

danny,

we spoke a while ago about my adaptor needs to suit my cooplix p310.

i got the adaptor we spoke about and found things moved and went out of adjustment very easy causing me frustration,

although i had some ok images nothing respectable so i made a decision to go the dslr route and am now the owner of a canon 60d.

and the connection problems to my opticron es80 ga ed begin again!, am i right in saying no eyepice is needed with a dslr???

just a t2 ring and an extension tube??

sorry 2 hastle you again.

gaz

These guys would be the people to ask Dave. 2.7" is an odd size, but they may be able to make you one.

Regards,

Danny.

http://www.dannysdigiscoping.com/apps/forums/topics/show/7185236-lcd-screen-hood-shade-with-magnifier

Hi Danny, just a quick question, where can I get a viewer for the LCD on  Panasonic FS40 in my Opticron kit [2.7"] ? cheers, Dave J

This is a link to my blog, lots of stuff from my local patch and places I visit, cheers Dave J. http://bennerleyboy.blogspot.co.uk/

Thats ok Gaz,

Its always best to ask. I'll always help if I can.

A fixed eyepiece would be an excellent idea btw!

Best wishes

Danny.

danny

thanks a lot i will go for the adaptor and possibly get a 30x fixed eyepice in the future,or a better scope:)

sorry i keep bothering you but this is all alien to me and you give sound advice.

i will let you know how i get on

thanks again.

Hi Gaz

Try THIS

I must be honest and say that It isn't ideal, but its the best thing for the job. This adapter should be fixed to a non zoom eyepiece, but if you keep the eyepiece at near minimum zoom for now then it shoudn't be a problem.

Unfortunatley, the camera you chose isn't easy to connect unless some kind of universal adapter is used. I found it hard to get an exact adapter match for your eyepiece, so I cant recommend any other adapters, not without risking costing you money and frustration!

My S100 has the same issues, but my adapter bracket is so universal that pretty much any camera can be put on it.

I hope this helps for now.

Let me know what you decide and how you get on. Remember that digiscoping set ups are often fiddly things that take a bit of patience to get used to. They are not meant to work together like an expensive conventional set up, but this is one of the trade offs. The key thing to invest is time. The more you practice the better you will get.

Good luck,

Regards,

Danny.

the model is a opticron hdf zoom 40802

thanks

Hi Gaz,

Which exact HDF eyepiece  do you have. I need the model number please?

Thanks

Danny.

danny

after doing some hand held attempts with my wifes 50 pound camera i decided to go for the best i could afford at the moment

coolpix p310,can you recomend a make of universal adaptor that will suit my opticron hdf zoom,the ones i have seen seem to come in small,medium and large and i have no idea which one will fit

cheers

No problem Gaz,

Keep in touch and I'll try to help you with your set up when it arrives.

Best wishes,

Danny

danny,

i will take your advise and go with the kit for now.

thanks again for taking the time to reply,as a newcomer to birding i am very supprised by how freindly people are at the reserves and rspb members are always willing to help, my wife and i really enjoy doing it and will continue to do so,its like finding a hidden gem.

i will let you know how i get on with the kit and hopefully see you in the future for a days lesson,just a shame i live so far away

thanks danny

gary.

Hi Gaz,

I've given this some thought, and I always say to keep things simple to start. After all, digiscoping may not be for you, so I wouldnt want you spending loadsa cash straight away.

Have a look at this set up

http://www.opticron.co.uk/Pages/fs40kit.html

It will give you everything you need to get set up, a reasonable camera, bespoke adapter etc. You will need to specify the eyepiece that you have so that you can get the correct insert with the adapter, but it all seems quite easy to set up.

With a set up like this you will be able to get a feel for digiscoping without having to spend ages finding ways of connecting different cameras. This adapter set up will also come on and off easily for observation only situations.

What do you think?

Regards,

Danny.

danny,

i had a look at some reviews of the p310 and yes it does look the part,is thair a way of connecting tis camera directly to the eyepiece

do you know if it has thread on the front,this would be my prefered method if possible,because we will be using the scope for general spotting aswell,and setup speed needs to be fast.

would a universal adapter be equally as quick to setup?

thanks