A Kowa look-alike

A local digiscoper that I come across was using the KOWA scope with a built-in camera. I guessed he is the only one in Malaysia. Then I stumbled upon a look-alike. Check this one out.

Celestron VistaPix IS70 DIGITAL SPOTTING SCOPES

Celestron has announced its new range of DIGITAL SPOTTING SCOPES Celestron VistaPix IS70. Backed with a 3 Mega Pixels this is a unique product with very sophisticated features. VistaPix IS70 features a 2 inch LCD screen for those sharp and crisp image viewing , 6x digital zoom a and a digital focus meter. It is also supported by a 70mm spotting scope with 14x magnification. The latest product comes with a protecting aluminum carrying case for easy storage. This is not all it has also got a rotatable tripod adapter that can fit standard photo tripods or Celestron computerized mounts and would provide the ability to view images on your TV screen with the help of an included video cable. Now as Celestron is know for its best services this time its giving 2 year’s warranty on VistaPix IS70. It is currently available to the users at a price of $ 499.95.

Continue reading "Celestron VistaPix IS70 DIGITAL SPOTTING SCOPES" »

Spotting Scope Comparison

One of the many emails that I received recently was talking about spotting scope reviews by Cornell. So, I did a search on Google for "Cornell Scope Review" and directed me to a site with a scope review table for comparison. To see the table, click here.

Digiscoping on a budget - not necessary expensive

When I saw Laurence Poh's bird photos on the internet years ago, I was simply amazed by his technique and composition. I emailed him to ask for advice. He replied and I managed to get more ideas about digiscoping. Although I only need to drive 2 hours from my house to his, I never attempted to do so. However, attending one of his workshop provided a better understanding about the art of digiscoping.

So, for those who wanted to start digiscoping, I'm sure you will ask is it expensive to get into the hobby. I can tell you this. No. It is not necessary if you just wanted to enjoy the birds and keep the photos for records. Any camera with a 3x optical zoom will do. even with a 3 mega pixel camera phone. Believe me, you can. Most recommended get the nokia N-series. For scope, there are many traveling scope. I have a budget scope from Nikon.

Try to read this article about digiscoping.

Get your birding and digiscoping equipment from Optical Hardware

I was searching on Google for digiscoping equipment and found this website called Optical Hardware from UK. They carry many birding and digiscoping equipment and provides many technical and informative text for your reference. There is a list of dealers so that you can find the nearest shop to make your purchase.



































Are you interested to know more about the technical part of a binocular? Click here

Minox Digiscoping

Today, I found a kowa-like digital scope. This one is from Minox. When I saw the photo, I was really amazed, must be a cool gadget for digiscoping. How good it is on the field? Can't say much, I can't find anyone in Malaysia that uses this piece of equipment.

I extracted the followings from letsgodigital website.

Digiscoping with Minox : A brilliant world first from the renown optical specialist Minox provides all birders, wild animal and nature observers with a completely new and very affordable digiscoping or viewing experience! With the new Minox Digital Eyepiece Camera (DEC 5.0) fitted to a quality telescope a fast and easy-fitting solution has been provided for taking digital pictures through a spotting scope. Simply fitted to the eyepiece bayonet of a ‘scope this highly innovative product is an exciting combination of digital camera with normal camera functions, 2.4“ TFT monitor and eyepiece all in one. What is even more exciting is that nature lovers need no additional equipment - such as brackets and special adapters - to get into practical digiscoping.

NcStar Spotting Scope

I just stumbled upon a site that sells spotting scope. It looks like this NcStar could be your next travelling partner when you go birding far away from home.

"Nature has provided a multitude of beautiful surroundings for all of us to enjoy. NcStar brings you Spotting Scopes to view that beauty up close and personal. Our lenses are ground quality glass, and our prisms are MAK-4 Rated to ensure that the image being viewed is displayed with brilliant clarity. Our optics are multi coated to reduce reflection and to utilized as much external light as possible. All of this combined with a rugged exterior provide Binoculars, Spotting Scopes and Monoculars that you can rely on time after time. Enhance the world around you be viewing it with NcStar optics." - Riflescope-shop.com

NcStar 15-40x50 SPOTTING SCOPE/GREEN LENS WITH TRIPOD

FEATURES • High Quality Percision Ground Multi Coated Lenses for Clear and Crisp Image • External Quick Focus Knob • Protective Rubber Armor Outer Coating • Nitrogen Filled and O-Ring sealed • Built-In Sliding Sunshade • Includes soft carry case, neck strap, and lens caps




There are more scopes for you to select. Just click on the links.

Nikon Coolpix 4500 Review

I have been using the Nikon Coolpix 4500 ever since I started digiscoping in 2003. One of the best camera model for digiscoping at that time.

Preview based on a production Nikon Coolpix 4500, Firmware v1.1

The new Coolpix 4500 was announced on May 29th, 2002 as part of a trio of new Coolpix digital cameras from Nikon. It is the step up in resolution and features for the now distinctive split-bodied Coolpix design. The 4500 carries on from the 995 (although its neat design is more like the 950 / 990). This camera has a four megapixel CCD sensor, four times optical zoom lens, an all metallic body and flush fitting pop-up flash unit. The camera is noticeably smaller and narrower than the 990 and 995 thanks to the use of a Nikon's EN-EL1 Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery.

Many people will consider this camera to be the true upgrade to the 990, in each previous succession of split bodied Coolpix digital cameras we saw in increase in resolution (1.2, 1.92, 3.14 megapixels). The 995 however offered only a few new features and a 4x optical zoom lens. It wasn't the four megapixel Coolpix most were expecting, this camera is.

Regional differences

Note that we had a European Coolpix 4500 for this preview article. The Europe (and Canada) model has a red stripe on the hand grip (on the left above), the US model has a green stripe (on the right above), otherwise the two are identical. Personally I prefer the red stripe which is such a part of Nikon's design history.

Heritage

The Coolpix 900/900s

The "9 series" range started back in 1998 with the 1.2 megapixel, 3x zoom, Nikon Coolpix 900 (E900), soon to be followed by the updated 900s (E910) this was the first time we saw the swivel design and also opened peoples eyes as to what a digital camera was capable of. I admit my first (real) digital camera was a Nikon Coolpix 900s.

The Coolpix 950

In 1999 came the 1.92 megapixel, 3x zoom, Coolpix 950, a completely re-engineered camera of a quality over and above what we'd seen in the 900. It was well received by reviewers and owners alike, despite some shortcomings (chromatic aberrations and a few non-ergonomic functions) it soon became the de facto 2 megapixel digital camera (and is still used for comparison purposes today). Many other 2 megapixel digital cameras came, despite some very close competition (Olympus C-2000Z & C-2020Z) the Coolpix remained the favourite prosumer digital camera.

The Coolpix 990

In 2000 we saw the 3.14 megapixel, 3x zoom, Coolpix 990. Not just a step forward in resolution the 990 had improved ergonomics, better build quality and a raft of new "prosumer" features which delighted both Coolpix aficionado's and new buyers alike. The 990 saw the introduction of the 5-area spot AF, focus confirmation, a new aperture diaphragm, USB connectivity, sharpness control, histogram and highlighting, fine tuneable white balance and many more. The 990 soon established itself as the top 3 megapixel consumer digital, the one all other manufacturers aimed to beat.

The Coolpix 995

2001 brought us the 3.14 megapixel, 4x zoom, Coolpix 995. Seen by many as an interim camera the 995 also stepped away from the 990's clean design to an arguably uglier and more complicated design. The 995 introduced several new features such as support for Compact Flash Type II (although not officially the IBM Microdrive) as well as the pop-up flash and a 4x optical zoom lens (which did come in for criticism by some). This evolution also saw the lens portion of the body changed from metal to plastic, again not a popular move with Nikonians.

www.dpreview.com - August 2002, Phil Askey

Fundamental Digiscoping Equipment

Fundamental Digiscoping Equipment

1. digital camera

2. spotting scope

3. sturdy tripod

4. camera - scope adapter

5. cable release

6. bracket

There are only 6 fundamental equipment that you need to get you into digiscoping. Just refer to the list above.

Digital camera.

Almost any digital camera will do but I suggest point-and-shoot with 3x - 4x optical zoom and a small diameter lens. The widely used camera previously are Nikon Coolpix 990, 995, 4500, P4, P5000 and P5100 . The other cameras which suits digiscoping are Olympus C7070. Make sure you have a few memory cards of large capacity like at least 1GB. Believe me, you need it because this hobby can be very addictive especially if you click on burst or continuous mode. Sometimes, you may even switch to movie mode and that will take more spaces on the memory card. So, carry a few with you since nowadays the cards are more affordable than a few years ago. Also, carry along some spare batteries. I have a Nikon Coolpix 4500 and a Casio QV-2900UX. My wife's Sony-Ericsson K810i with a 3MP camera works but quality suffers.

Spotting scope.

What is digiscoping without a spotting scope? There are many brands and models in the market. So, pick yours wisely. In my experience, buy a decent scope and try to avoid the cheap scopes. Do more research of a particular scope that you are interested in. Buy one that you can afford and do not burn a hole in your pocket. I am not asking you to buy the top range like Swarovski, Leica, Zeiss or Kowa but if you can afford it, why not? But if you are like me, who does not have much money to dispose, get a scope that do not have problem of chromatic aberration (purple fringe on subject). But if the issue is minimal it can be corrected later when processing the picture on the computer with photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop. I am using a Nikon Spotting Scope 65mm RAII(A) a.k.a. Nikon Sky and Earth 65mm with a 25x fixed eyepiece.

Sturdy tripod.

You really need a sturdy tripod. Why? Simply because a scope with the camera attached is not anything like a feather's weight. You have to buy a good tripod with a video head. I am using a Manfrotto tripod and video head based on Laurence's recommendation before I join the digiscoping circle.

Camera - scope adapter.

You can buy a universal adapter that fits any camera in case if you upgrade camera often. Like I said, things are cheaper as compared to last few years. Better get a universal adapter and get a light unit. Well, you can also hand held the camera on the eyepiece but make sure your hand does not shake.

Cable release.

I can't remember how much I pay for the cable release, but I know one of my cable comes along with the bracket that I ordered from Mr.Cheang who customize bracket and adapter. The cable does not cost much compared to other equipment. You will need this cable to minimize hand shake when pressing the shutter button on your camera.

Bracket.

A bracket is useful when you use a cable release to take pictures. You need this one. Somehow, some new camera - scope adapters are fitted with a cable release bracket.

Okay, I have finish with the fundamental equipment. The next thing you need is to process the pictures on the computer.

But before I continue with the next chapter, if you think what I am sharing with you are useful, feel free to make donation for the information and experiences that are displayed on this site. With your generous gift, I will be able to continue spread the hobby of digiscoping.

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