Canon eos 40d

[peacenik]

I am new to this so please bear with me. I have a Canon EOS 40d, Kowa 883 Prominar scope with a Kowa TSN-PX photo attachment lens. The problem I am having is that the camera does not allow me to set the aperture value in aperture priority mode. Is this camera not good for digiscoping or am I doing something wrong? Thank you for your patience.

Jack

[awallace]

Far from it Jack - you have a great setup. The scope is one of the best you can get, and the 40D in my opinion is made for digiscoping. I don't know the adapter, but my guess is that it is fixed aperture, so don't worry about trying to set it. It will probably read 00 in the viewfinder. Switch to manual mode, and meter as normal by adjusting the shutter speed. Some other suggestions:
1) use LiveView to help with focusing
2) make sure that you enable mirror lockup for non-liveview shooting
3) get yourself a remote release, either cable, or better still, a wireless one.
Practice a little, and you will soon be producing some amazing shots.

[peacenik]

Thanks for your quick reply. The TSN-PZ is 680~1000mm f7.7~11.4 and does not have an adjustable aperture diaphragm. My apprehension about the camera is because I have been viewing photos taken by another gentleman with the same setup except a Nikon D200. The EXIF in his files seems to indicate he is able to set the aperture and the camera recognizes the focal length of the lens.

Here is a link: http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/89647726

I guess the nikon just makes it a little easier. Thanks for your help.

[awallace]

Jack, my suspicion is that this guy is updating the EXIF data himself. There is no way that the camera can know the aperture and focal length, as the only connection between the camera and the adapter is a T2 mount & thread (no electronics). I don't think that Nikon users will have as good an experience as you with digiscoping on this setup. Remember:
1) you have possibly the best scope being made at the moment
2) liveview on the 40D will help focusing, and reduce camera shake
3) your adapter has an inbuilt zoom capability to help framing
Bottom line is that you have no excuses :eek!:

One comment though, turkey vulture aside, is that some of the sharpest pictures I have seen have been taken with a 50mm (approx) lens onto the eyepiece. Take a look at the mmdnje's gallery. Some great shots there. The Turkey Vulture is good though, and I will be keen to see what you can do with your setup. I have the TSN-PA2C adapter which is the non-zoom version of the one you have. I also use the TSN-DA1 adapter, which allows me to mount a EF 50mm f/1.8 II over a 30xw eyepiece to get a much greater reach (~1600mm vs 850mm).

[peacenik]

That makes perfect sense. Guess I better get to work. Mr. Kennedy shoots all of his bird pics with this rig mounted on a Bushhawk shoulder mount. I don't know how he does it without shaking. He must have huge biceps.
I'll give you an update after I get some practice.

Jack

[musti]

One working system

50 mm F 1.8 + down step ring 52 to 28 + Fotofennica adapter + Nikon 20 -60 zoom + Fieldscope 82

[Gerd Rossen]

Hi Jack,

you have a fantastic setup. I've tested the Kowa in combination with several DSLRs using the TSN-PZ in the last weeks.
Some shoots are made with the 40D too.
Aperture of course is given by the scope, and not by the camera, so an aperture can not be in the exifs. So don't worry, everything is ok....

Have a look at my pictures (equipment used can be seen at the bottom of the page) :

http://www.digital-nature-photography.com/nature/sonstiges/kowa-prominar-tsn-884-spotting-scope-photos.php

Some are with 40D too....

All the best,
Gerd