I also digiscope with a Canon EOS 500D DSLR that I can attach directly to the end of my scopes eyepiece via the T thread adaptor. If you have any questions regarding digiscoping with a DSLR then please ask, or see the advanced digiscoping page.
A few photos taken with this set up.
Nikon Coolpix P50 8.1 megapixel compact digital camera
This camera is very simple for two reasons;
The camera itself costs £100 or less now I'm sure. Its a great, cost effective camera for the amateur digiscoper. Also I recommend you buy a 2gb Memory Card. They can hold over 500 pictures with the camera in 8MP mode, which is plenty of room as you'll need to take plenty of shots.
Celestron Ultima 100 45 degree angled Scope
I chose this particular scope for two reasons as well;
As I've said before light is the key. The more light, the easier it is to take pictures. When I started digiscoping I had an 80mm objective lens on my scope. Then i wondered if getting a scope with a bigger objective lens would let in more light? I personally think it does, as I can seem to take photos in most conditions now.
Price, as always with me is an issue. But I felt that this scope is excellent value for money. It cost me £250, but I've seen them for less, as little as £200.
Incidentally, it has a zoom eyepiece, and makes a good spotting scope for use as a spotting scope!
Jessops Multi Camera Digiscope Adapter
There are 2 main reasons why i chose this adaptor;
Can be used with pretty much all compact digital cameras as far as I konw, and cost £20!!
I used to have a more expensive adaptor, but T.B.H is was heavy, not very robust and awkward to use and keep finely adjusted in the field. This adaptor is much better for the beginner digiscoper, and readily available from any Jessops store!
So to summarise. I keep it simple and cost effective. My photos may not be great, but I think they are good enough for a person like me who's only been digiscoping himself for around one and a half years. Still you be the judge!!
One other piece of equipment you'll need is a tripod. Some are better than others, but one for around £40 should be fine for a beginner. I got mine from Jessops, and it is a Jessops own brand one. I think its very good, but they do other makes such as Velbon or Manfrotto, both of which are excellent makes.
Oh, and any questions, please do ask.
- Ease of use in the field,
- Price!
The camera itself costs £100 or less now I'm sure. Its a great, cost effective camera for the amateur digiscoper. Also I recommend you buy a 2gb Memory Card. They can hold over 500 pictures with the camera in 8MP mode, which is plenty of room as you'll need to take plenty of shots.
Celestron Ultima 100 45 degree angled Scope
- Size of the objective lens
- Price
As I've said before light is the key. The more light, the easier it is to take pictures. When I started digiscoping I had an 80mm objective lens on my scope. Then i wondered if getting a scope with a bigger objective lens would let in more light? I personally think it does, as I can seem to take photos in most conditions now.
Price, as always with me is an issue. But I felt that this scope is excellent value for money. It cost me £250, but I've seen them for less, as little as £200.
Incidentally, it has a zoom eyepiece, and makes a good spotting scope for use as a spotting scope!
Jessops Multi Camera Digiscope Adapter
There are 2 main reasons why i chose this adaptor;
- Simplicity, anyone can use this easily
- Wait for it....Price!
Can be used with pretty much all compact digital cameras as far as I konw, and cost £20!!
I used to have a more expensive adaptor, but T.B.H is was heavy, not very robust and awkward to use and keep finely adjusted in the field. This adaptor is much better for the beginner digiscoper, and readily available from any Jessops store!
So to summarise. I keep it simple and cost effective. My photos may not be great, but I think they are good enough for a person like me who's only been digiscoping himself for around one and a half years. Still you be the judge!!
One other piece of equipment you'll need is a tripod. Some are better than others, but one for around £40 should be fine for a beginner. I got mine from Jessops, and it is a Jessops own brand one. I think its very good, but they do other makes such as Velbon or Manfrotto, both of which are excellent makes.
Oh, and any questions, please do ask.
Setting up & Taking Pictures
Once you have your equipment, then you can set up and get ready to take pictures.
Take your tripod and attach your spotting scope. This is done by attaching the release plate from the head of your tripod, and screwing it into the screw mount on the bottom of your spotting scope.
Then attach your digiscoping adaptor and attach it to the eyepiece of your spotting scope. Don't put it too far down tho.
Carefully take the camera mount off the adaptor, and attach it to the mount on the bottom of your camera, then re-attach your camera to the adaptor. DO NOT turn your camera on yet.
This is the important part. BEFORE turning your camera on make sure there is enough room for the camera lens to come out. If there isn't enough space you could damage your camera. When you are happy with the gap that you have turn your camera on.
You will probably be looking at a blurry vision surrounded by black around the sides, this is NORMAL!
Before you focus your scope and camera, take time to adjust the adaptor so that your camera is as well lined up to the scope as possible. The image will still look blurry, but the outline of the image should be sharper. The sharper it is, the better the alignment of your camera. Incidentally, the adaptor can adjust in many different ways, so please do take the time to get the adjustments right, as it will help the focus of the camera and scope, and in turn the quality of your pictures.
OK, so all is in line, so we're ready to focus the SCOPE. Point your scope towards something not too far away, and then adjust the focus on your scope until you can see clearly on your cameras display the object that you are trying to focus on. You will still see a lot of black, as if you're looking down a tunnel. This is called VIGNETTING, and looks like this, but hopefully the edge around the picture will be sharper.
Take your tripod and attach your spotting scope. This is done by attaching the release plate from the head of your tripod, and screwing it into the screw mount on the bottom of your spotting scope.
Then attach your digiscoping adaptor and attach it to the eyepiece of your spotting scope. Don't put it too far down tho.
Carefully take the camera mount off the adaptor, and attach it to the mount on the bottom of your camera, then re-attach your camera to the adaptor. DO NOT turn your camera on yet.
This is the important part. BEFORE turning your camera on make sure there is enough room for the camera lens to come out. If there isn't enough space you could damage your camera. When you are happy with the gap that you have turn your camera on.
You will probably be looking at a blurry vision surrounded by black around the sides, this is NORMAL!
Before you focus your scope and camera, take time to adjust the adaptor so that your camera is as well lined up to the scope as possible. The image will still look blurry, but the outline of the image should be sharper. The sharper it is, the better the alignment of your camera. Incidentally, the adaptor can adjust in many different ways, so please do take the time to get the adjustments right, as it will help the focus of the camera and scope, and in turn the quality of your pictures.
OK, so all is in line, so we're ready to focus the SCOPE. Point your scope towards something not too far away, and then adjust the focus on your scope until you can see clearly on your cameras display the object that you are trying to focus on. You will still see a lot of black, as if you're looking down a tunnel. This is called VIGNETTING, and looks like this, but hopefully the edge around the picture will be sharper.
To cure this, simply zoom in on what you are looking at. As you zoom in you will notice the vignetting disappear, and the object of focus will fill the screen. Once the screen is full of the object of focus simply re-focus your scope, put your camera in AUTO mode and then take a picture as you normally would, and hey presto you're Digiscoping!!
I found it easier to use the automatic mode on my camera when I was starting. After a while try using the manual mode, so that you can have greater control over shutter speeds and ISO, which is like artificial whiteness. The higher the ISO, the more white is added, which is sometimes good in darker conditions. Also, practice taking photos of the birds on your feeders. Its a great way to try different things out, and it is easier than trying to learn in the field.
Thats about all I can tell you about setting up and technique. How you digiscope is up to you, The more you practice, the better you'll get. Don't expect every picture to be perfect, as they won't be. Just take as many pictures as you can, and eventually they will get better and better!! Good Luck!!
I found it easier to use the automatic mode on my camera when I was starting. After a while try using the manual mode, so that you can have greater control over shutter speeds and ISO, which is like artificial whiteness. The higher the ISO, the more white is added, which is sometimes good in darker conditions. Also, practice taking photos of the birds on your feeders. Its a great way to try different things out, and it is easier than trying to learn in the field.
Thats about all I can tell you about setting up and technique. How you digiscope is up to you, The more you practice, the better you'll get. Don't expect every picture to be perfect, as they won't be. Just take as many pictures as you can, and eventually they will get better and better!! Good Luck!!
