Canon G series and EagleEye 5x teleconverter

[jchaney]

I'm thinking of buying the EagleEye OpticZoom 5x teleconverter for my Canon G3.

www.photosolve.com is the only place in the US I've found that carries it. According to them, I need the Xtend-a-Lens for the G3, and a 37-52mm thread converter. I'm also going to add the tripod mount for the lens, which brings the total to $341. :eek!:

Before I go and drop that kinda cash on something, I'd like to see the results first. I'd like to see some full size images taken with it first. Can someone with a Canon G series camera and that lens send me some unedited, full size samples? Thanks...

[digi-birder]

Hello jchaney. On behalf of admin and all the moderators, welcome to Bird Forum.

There is a photo (http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/showphoto.php?photo=6340&password=&sort=1&cat=500&page=2) taken with this combination in my gallery. I have the EagleEye 5x OpticZoom, also purchased from Photosolve as it was cheaper than getting it here in the UK, even with the shipping.

I'm not sure about the Xtend-a-Lens though, as I have the Lensmate adapter, as recommended on the camera compatibility table on the photosolve site for the G1 and G2. See www.lensmateonline.com (http://www.lensmateonline.com) for these. I leave mine on all the time insted of the usual lens ring, so that I am ready to attach either the 5x zoom or my digiscoing adapter. See my previous thread (http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=6128) on this.

I can send you some images at full size if you like. Just PM me your email address.

[jchaney]

Thanks, I've seen your blackbird picture, that's actually what got me looking at the EagleEye lens. I sent you a PM with my email address.

[jchaney]

How difficult is it to use. I thought it was just a teleconverter, but I've done some more reading and I didn't realize you had to focus the lens.

[digi-birder]

You're correct in that you do have to focus the lens as well. It does take some getting used to, which is probably why I have not used it too often. I was going to have another play this weekend in order to send you a bigger selection of examples.

[fredyr]

I have the G3 and the eagleeye plus the canon adaptor but am not sure it is long enough. I have just been practising on my balcony and it seems very good but is manual focusing. Eagleeye recommends to open wide AV and then practise. I used to use it with my kodak DC290 and it works but it is not an automatic zoom unfortunately. I think the best fit was the Orly 2100. I love the G3 and hope it will work. In the meantime until someone gives me an answer, I have put a UV58 filter in front of the eagleeye so it definitely won't cause damage to my G3
Hope someone in this group can help as Eagleeye answered me and don't know.

[fredyr]

Diane, I gave the G3 and eagleeye a try today and there was only a little bit of vignetting at full telephoto so that was okay. However I found it very difficult to see in the LCD if I actually had everything in focus. How do you do it? I have the extendaview but that doesn't help much. Do you use AV or P when you use it? I was using AV and it seemed to stall before it actually focussed. I suppose I would get used to it with more practise, but I am sure I wouldn't be fast enough for flying birds. Just very still ones. Thanks in advance for any advice. Fredy

[digi-birder]

Fredy, focusing with the EagleEye does take some getting used to. I couldn't actually get on with the XtendAView magnifier and sold that some time ago.

I used AV and Macro setting. Did you receive a paper with some tips on how to use the lens? I did have some other helpful instructions printed off from an independent website, but I've just posted them with the EagleEye that I have just sold. I will try and find the web address and let you know.

Addition:
I've found the website HERE (http://www.digiscoping.ca/) - you need to click on one of the welcome buttons, depending which language you want to read, and the click the drop down box 'About Digiscoping' and then at the bottom you will see the 5x EagleEye Lens. On that page are the hints and tips to achieve good focus. It's obviously geared towards the Coolpix cameras, but I found the technique worked OK on the G3 as well.

[fredyr]

Thanks Diane but I have used it before with my kodak so did have the instructions. I think the problem is that outside in light it is hard to see if I am really in focus. the photos weren't bad but not perfect which I didn't know till I got home .I will look at the notes again and your right it may take me a few tries. So good with digital as it costs nothing. I have a rebel with a Tamron 28-300 and am more successful with that. The reach of 700 is so far that I will try more but don't think I could ever get flying birds with it as it takes me so long to know if I have it right. Thanks again Fredy
(I will try the macro, maybe that will make all the difference.)

[digi-birder]

The website in the link above does recommend using macro.

I found I achieved much better shots with the camera and lens on a tripod, so hand-holding may take some practice. I didn't use it a great deal before recently deciding to abandon digiscoping altogether for DSLR (just bought the 10D and a Sigma 50-500 zoom).

[fredyr]

I guess you are using a tripod with the 10D and such a big zoom. Do you get clear photos? fredy

[digi-birder]

I'm still practising. There are two or three trial photos in my gallery.

[scottishdude]

I use a CanonD60 and a Sigma 50-500mm, I find the combination brilliant. I can actually hand hold down to 1/125 with a bit of practice. I would highly recommend the 50-500 for birding, but it is worth getting a monopod as the combind weight of the lens and the body is around 7lb. gets heavy after a while!! If you look at my gallery you can see some shots I have taken. The tripod was only used on the Nuthatch, and a monopod on the Black headed gull, all the rest were hand held if I remember correctly

http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/2036

Happy birding

[digi-birder]

I use a CanonD60 and a Sigma 50-500mm, I find the combination brilliant. I can actually hand hold down to 1/125 with a bit of practice. I would highly recommend the 50-500 for birding, but it is worth getting a monopod as the combind weight of the lens and the body is around 7lb. gets heavy after a while!! If you look at my gallery you can see some shots I have taken. The tripod was only used on the Nuthatch, and a monopod on the Black headed gull, all the rest were hand held if I remember correctly


I have seen some of your photos, but on looking again there were some that I must have missed. They are excellent - I only hope that I can get to that level one day.

I'm not too sure about the negative reports of this lens, when you can get these results. It could be down to the individual's perception, of course, about what's sharp and what isn't.

I must admit, I haven't tried hand-holding it yet. I don't think I would be able to manage that - it takes all my strength just to lift it out of the rucksack!

[scottishdude]

I have seen some of your photos, but on looking again there were some that I must have missed. They are excellent - I only hope that I can get to that level one day.

I'm not too sure about the negative reports of this lens, when you can get these results. It could be down to the individual's perception, of course, about what's sharp and what isn't.

I must admit, I haven't tried hand-holding it yet. I don't think I would be able to manage that - it takes all my strength just to lift it out of the rucksack!
Thanks for the complement!

Yes they are a little heavy. I have heard of people getting bad results, I wonder if they have a faulty lens, because I think it is the best lens I have ever owned. I would invest in a monopod if I were you, they are about £35 or less, try and get one that opens up to your eye level, it saves back pain.
Also use natural rests, ie, fence posts, walls, car doors etc.

If you are using digital then moving up to 200ASA Helps with no real detremental effect on your pictures.

Some of mine have been taken at 400ASA and I am still happy with the results

Jamie

[digi-birder]

I always use a tripod, but I do have a monopod as well.

I do set my 10D at 400 ISO as a rule.