Digiscopimg with Nikon

[joespy]

Is anybody using their Nikon DSLR with the FSA-L1 to the Nikon Fieldscope ED82. I have this same rig using the D70 and am having problems with sharpness of the image due to camera shake from, I think the mirrorlock up/shutter release.
I made a bracket to link the scope to the camera,via the tripod points on each, out of 1.25in X 0.25in steel flat bar. Fitted a tripod mount to the new point of balance hoping to eliminate movement. The tripod is a Manfrotto (equivalent to 3 pieces of scaffold pole). But the images are unsharp front to rear i.e. nothing in focus. I'm disapointed and stumped. Any ideas of help would be useful.....Regards Joe

[Neil]

Joe,
The bar idea should help a lot but you could try increasing the shutter speeds (increase the iso ) until you get sharp images . I like 1/2000 of a second when using a DSLR on moving subjects. You could also try Mirror lock up and a remote.
Post some results and we can give more advice. Neil.

[joespy]

Thanks Neil but Mirror lock up is only available on D70 for cleaning sensor etc. I have tried it but it wont allow pics to be taken. I am using Nikon's ML-L3 remote anyway here is a pic, see what you think........Joe

[joespy]

Hi Neil, just to say you're probably right about shutter speed. I've just checked the image properties and the S/S was 1/100th/sec. @ f 13.2, what a plonker I am, should have realised, what with 20yrs of photography and spent more time playing with different settings on such a fantastic day. As well as the peregrine I had good views of 2 cracking bitterns earlier but couldn't get any pics. It's always the simple things. I was looking for something more serious. To tell the truth, I bought the D40x after that, one of the reasons being, it has less of a mirror/shutter "clunk". Have not tried it yet, the support bar will have to be shortened......Joe

[Neil]

Joe,
I had similar problems when I tried the D100 with my Swarovski scope. I had trouble with the manual focus too. That's why I like using a digicam as I can use the AF.
To get a handle on what the limitations are set up some soda cans at various distances, from 10 meters to 100 meters ( or similar ). Take several continuuous images at each setting as you'll find the third/fourth image to be sharper ( less vibration ) and bracket focus.
A lot of guys are using the Canon 350D as it enables high iso/low noise to be used. Don't worry about the noise until you get the sharpness you want.
Let me know how you go, Neil.

ps I used Smart Sharpen on your image .