Digiscoping with the Nikon D90 DSLR

[Neil]

I picked up the D90 last weekend as I wanted to try the video mode and have a lighter and quieter backup to the D3 to use for digiscoping. It's Liveview mode seems easier to use than that in the Olympus E420 ( more stable ) and it's faster. Here are some images taken today in dull , hazy light with the 30x and 45x eyepieces. I used the Nikon 20/2.8 D lens which is one of the sharpest lenses I have . I was able to use the Auto Focus mode which although a bit slow (slower than the P6000 and P5100 ) seemed accurate as long as the scope was focused first.
Neil

Nikon D90 and Nikon 20/2.8 lens plus Swarovski STS80HD scope and Sw 30x and 45x eyepieces on homemade adapter.

Lamma Island,
Hong Kong,
China.
October 2008

[horukuru]

good job neil !

may i know what type of homemade adapter for your combo and can it be use with angled scope?

[Neil]

good job neil !

may i know what type of homemade adapter for your combo and can it be use with angled scope?

Horukuru,
It's a long balance bar designed for a straight scope. For an angled scope it's need a bit more work.

[kshea]

Neil,

if you don't mind me asking, what were the ISO's you took the pictures of the dove and wagtail with. I own a D70 and use it for digiscoping but think the D90 is a much more practical alternative (as opposed to switching to Canon entirely), and preforms exceptionally well at higher ISO's for a Nikon.

Great shots btw!

~K

[Paul Corfield]

Neil,

if you don't mind me asking, what were the ISO's you took the pictures of the dove and wagtail with. I own a D70 and use it for digiscoping but think the D90 is a much more practical alternative (as opposed to switching to Canon entirely), and preforms exceptionally well at higher ISO's for a Nikon.

Great shots btw!

~K

Looking at the file names they were all ISO200. From memory Neil generally puts the info in the file names so I had a quick look. :)

Paul.

[Paul Jarvis]

excellent detail neil, super shots.

[JGobeil]

Wow ! Great work Neil. It's far from easy to render the shades and textures of the first bird. White birds are always difficult.

[Neil]

As Paul mentioned they were at iso200. I've added an iso 1600 and 2000 images to this thread http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=1305986#post1305986
Neil

[Neil]

Jules, the dull light made it easier and I was only 15 metres away under camouflage netting. I liked the quieter noise of the D90 as my D3 startles the egrets at that distance.
Neil.

[Neil]

We had some sunshine today for a change so I got out this afternoon the Hong Kong Wetland Park. Here are a couple of images taken with the D90. I took some videos too which I'll post links to later. Neil.

Nikon D90 and Nikon 20/2.8 D lens and Swarovski STS80HD scope and Sw 45x eyepiece and homemade balance bar

Hong Kong Wetland Park,
Hong Kong,
China.
October 2008

[kshea]

Neil,

I've never used mirror luck up for digiscoping (nor have I ever heard anyone else admit they use it for that matter) but do you think that the lack of MLU in the D90 matters?

Your stuff looks great!

~K

[Neil]

Neil,

I've never used mirror luck up for digiscoping (nor have I ever heard anyone else admit they use it for that matter) but do you think that the lack of MLU in the D90 matters?

Your stuff looks great!

~K

K,
I've never used Mirror Lockup either so I won't miss it. With my balance setup I can lock the camera separate to the scope so any vibration doesn't pass through from the camera. This also enables me to use Auto Focus with the camera lens, although of course I still have to manually focus the scope first. If you mount the camera as a normal , manually focussed lens , then by pressing your face against the camera as normal and shooting Continuous frames at 1/500th second or faster you should be able to control vibration.
Neil

[Fozzybear]

Excellent shots there - great ones of the herons. Much better than I expected was possible from digiscoping actually!

[Neil]

Excellent shots there - great ones of the herons. Much better than I expected was possible from digiscoping actually!

Like all photography, digiscoping is very dependent on the quality of light and the distance to the subject. Too many digiscoping images are taken at the wrong time of day for good light and at too far a distance. I prefer digiscoping "up close and personal" without disturbing the bird behavior with the sound of a noisy DSLR. It's hard to pick up the detail in a white bird's plumage at more than 30 metres , even in the best of light. I find if the bird doesn't know you are there it doesn't move as fast and therefore allows digiscoping to catch up.
Neil.

[horukuru]

neil,

how did u attached your eyepiece with the lens ? and care to share the noise level of this camera ?

[Neil]

neil,

how did u attached your eyepiece with the lens ? and care to share the noise level of this camera ?

I can attach it two ways -
1. with stepdown rings on the 20/2.8 D from 62/58/52 and then on to the Swarovski DCA. I turn the scope on it's side to match up with the height of the camera lens and angle it (see photo in previous thread. I switch off the AF with this method. There is a bit of vignetting with this approach due to all the step rings.
2. I just slide the camera lens as close to the scope eyepiece as necessary to minimise vignetting (on the Manfrotto balance plate mounted onto the balance bar ).

The iso 800 noise is similar to the iso 400 on the Olympus E420 and iso 1600 on the D3, but I haven't done a definitive test yet.
Neil.

[kshea]

Neil,

Another question, do you use a cabled shutter release or your finger?

~K

[Neil]

Neil,

Another question, do you use a cabled shutter release or your finger?

~K

The balance bar setup and the Manfrotto 501 video head are very solid so I don't use a remote release, but sometimes Self-timer. Neil.

[Neil]

I'm sorry I've been a bit tardy in getting some RAW images into this thread but I was away all last week on a mercy mission.
These images were taken yesterday in my mate's garden from about 10 metres in dull light while drinking coffee ( my preferred method of digiscoping ).
There was a little noise exposed during the processing ( Adobe DNG conversion and then CS2) so I ran them through Noiseware.
Neil

Nikon P6000 plus Swarovski STS80HD scope plus Sw 30x eyepiece and homemade balance bar

[cango]

Great shots! Would love to have such garden, zipping coffee and digiscoping..:-)

[Derry]

Neil, great photos as usual,,

when are you going to have a garage sale of all your old equipment,,???o:)

Derry

[kshea]

Neil,

are those from the D90?

The titles show them as being taken with a P6000.

~K

[wings]

All great shots, Neil. Do you know beforehand what step-up/down rings you need or is this a trial and error thing you find out at the camera store?

[Neil]

Sorry Guys, as pointed out by K , I've posted P6000 RAW images in this thread in error. I would like to say it was deliberate to see if anyone was paying attention, but unfortunately it wasn't . I'll make a disclaimer on that thread. Neil.

[Neil]

I'm sorry I've been a bit tardy in getting some RAW images into this thread but I was away all last week on a mercy mission.
These images were taken yesterday in my mate's garden from about 10 metres in dull light while drinking coffee ( my preferred method of digiscoping ).
There was a little noise exposed during the processing ( Adobe DNG conversion and then CS2) so I ran them through Noiseware.
Neil

Nikon P6000 plus Swarovski STS80HD scope plus Sw 30x eyepiece and homemade balance bar

POSTED IN ERROR - NIKON P6000 IMAGES

[Neil]

All great shots, Neil. Do you know beforehand what step-up/down rings you need or is this a trial and error thing you find out at the camera store?

I'm lucky here that I have a little shop tucked away in an arcade in Kowloon that sells adapters/converters/accessories. As it happens I already had the ones I needed.
The thread on the lens is the key as the faster lenses have bigger threads. You can get this info from the len's manufacturers site or one of the many sites that cover lenses. I couldn't find a 62/52 step down ring , so I have 62/58 58/52. This makes it a little thicker than I would like as the camera lens can't get as close. Neil.

[birdsgalway]

Neil
I get my step rings for this site they have the 62-52. Although I assume you were using your vast array of stock.
http://www.kood-international.com/pages/accphoto.html#Anchor-Stepping%20rings
Tom

[Neil]

A few more digiscoped images from the D90 yesterday. Neil.

Nikon D90 plus Nikon 20/2.8 D lens and Swarovski STS80HD scope and Sw30x eyepiece and homemade balance bar.

Hong Kong Wetland Park,
Hong Kong,
China.
October 2008

[RJM]

I want, no NEED a D90 for my ED82! Nice shots BTW, Neil.

cheers,
Rick

[Paul Corfield]

Nice work Neil. Did you use a flash or is it just the way the light was at the time?

Paul.

[Neil]

Nice work Neil. Did you use a flash or is it just the way the light was at the time?

Paul.

Paul,
No. I don't use flash for bird photography. This was late afternoon light.
Neil.

[Neil]

I took the D90 out to the local park today with the Nikon P6000 as we had some nice light and I wanted to see what the camera would do with close subjects. These were taken from 7 - 25 metres. The Nikon 20/2.8 D is a very sharp lens with good color but I'm looking for a 35 mm for a bit more reach. Neil.

Nikon D90 and Nikon 20/2.8 D lens on Swarovski STS80HD scope and Sw 30x eyepiece and DCA and homemade balance bar

Hong Kong,
China .
October 2008

[Feathered one]

:t: I particularly like the Juv Flamingo (centre pic)
Is there any possibility you could post a picture of the uncropped version straight from the camera, I am interested in seeing how much vignetting there is with your setup.
The D90 is one of the cameras I am considering purchasing to try to get more detail into my digiscoped pictures. More weight to lug around, but if I can I will.:-O

[Neil]

He is an uncropped image taken using the Nikon 20/2.8 D lens. As you can see the vignetting is minimal so that with a 28 mm lens or longer there will be no vignetting. Neil.

[horukuru]

fantastic results neil with the mandarin duck !

[Feathered one]

Thanks Neil for posting the uncropped picture. Did you have the two step rings on, connected to the DCA for that picture?

The Nikon 20/2.8 D is reckoned to be a good sharp lens, can you get a 28mm with as good resolution.

Malc

[Neil]

Thanks Neil for posting the uncropped picture. Did you have the two step rings on, connected to the DCA for that picture?

The Nikon 20/2.8 D is reckoned to be a good sharp lens, can you get a 28mm with as good resolution.

Malc

Malc,
Yes.
I'm very interested in the Nikon 45/2.8 P
http://www.nikon-image.com/eng/news_release/2001/mf45f28bk.htm
This looks like it would be perfect for digiscoping, particularly with FF cameras.
Neil.

[Feathered one]

Got myself a D90 today (yes I know the Pannny G1 is out tommorrow) trying out a 35mm 1.2D lens as a start. This is the first digital SLR I have owned, so bit of a minefield with all the settings available. But good news is my tilt up adaptor I made, accomodates the D90 easily (I made it to be)
When you use the DCA and connect the D90 with the step rings, you use manual focus, do you focus the scope first, then focus the lens, or leave on infinity?
Could you also say what focus point you use.

Malc

[Neil]

Got myself a D90 today (yes I know the Pannny G1 is out tommorrow) trying out a 35mm 1.2D lens as a start. This is the first digital SLR I have owned, so bit of a minefield with all the settings available. But good news is my tilt up adaptor I made, accomodates the D90 easily (I made it to be)
When you use the DCA and connect the D90 with the step rings, you use manual focus, do you focus the scope first, then focus the lens, or leave on infinity?
Could you also say what focus point you use.

Malc

Malc,
Well done on your purchase. The 35/1.2 D should be ideal for digiscoping. Also a good walk-around lens too.
For AF I have Dynamic Area selected and Center Point. I haven't tried any other settings yet. I leave the lens focus in middle distance and just focus using the scope. I only occasionally use the lens focus for minor adjustments.
Neil.

ps the first photo shows the view from the hide at HK Wetland Park with some digiscoped photos from yesterday with the D90.

[Feathered one]

Thanks for the info Neil, and some brilliant pictures.
It's pouring with rain here today, very dull and just 5 degrees centigrade, but just had to try out the D90.
From the conservatory door looking out into the garden.

One very wet Robin, not as good as your pictures Neil but something for me to build on.

Nikon ED82 with 30xDS eyepiece, Nikon D90 35mm f/2.0D af at Iso 2000 f2.5 1/60sec

Malc

[horukuru]

good result feathered one and how did you connect your camera with the eyepiece ?

[Feathered one]

Hiya Horukuru

Just my adaptor I made MK3 ? see here http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=122833
The lens on the camera is not connected to the scope eyepiece in any way. I have not been able to try the D90 out properly as the weather is just so dark and gloomy at the moment, but I am using some of the time to read the manual for it. Its giving me a headache !!

Malc

[Feathered one]

Neil would it be possible for you to say what settings you have on the D90 for digiscoping, in the 'custom settings'

I am particularly interested in the following

A1 to A7
And B1 to B3

Malc

[Neil]

Neil would it be possible for you to say what settings you have on the D90 for digiscoping, in the 'custom settings'

I am particularly interested in the following

A1 to A7
And B1 to B3

Malc

Malc,
This are the way I've got them set up at the moment but some I haven't tested fully yet. I haven't given the 3D (11 focus points ) AF a good workout yet , but I've found it useless on the D3 for tracking birds in flight against busy backgrounds . The ducks will be back soon and I will test it more fully.
Neil.

A1 Dynamic Area
A2 Centre Focus Point - Normal
A3 On
A4 Auto
A5 OFF
A6 AE/AF lock On
A7 Face Priority

B1 1/3 steps
B2 OFF
B3 Center Weighted Area 8 mm

[Feathered one]

Thanks Neil, will now have to wait for the weather to brighten up, to give it a try.

Malc

[Neil]

Here are a few more with the D90. Some digiscoped. Neil.

Nikon D90 Nikon 20/2.8D plus Swarovski STS80HD scope and Sw 30x eyepiece and DCA adapter

Nikon D90 plus Nikon 300/4 AFS lens

Hong Kong,
China.
November 2008

[Hoogy]

Hello Neil,

Just a quick question. I noticed you recently bought 2 great camera's the Nikon D90 as well as the Nikom P6000 and tested both thoroughly for digiscoping. Which one do you prefer for this matter? I am an old Nikon adept (still own an old FTN with a 50 mm 1.4 lens) and planning to buy a Nikon for digiscoping purposes. But with all these great pictures with both camera's I got confused. Is the D90 the better option?

Grtz, Johan

[Feathered one]

At last a sunny day and a few hours to spare for experimentation with the D90and 35mm f2.0 on a Nikon ED82 with 30X DS eyepiece.

And I have to say with this setup it is not as good as the P5100.
Using iso 800 and with the camera lens at f2.0 I am lucky to get 125th sec. I have tried all sorts of settings on the camera, and moved the camera nearer and further away from the scope eyepiece.
It seems the light reaching the camera is not great, perhaps it would be better with a 20mm lens?.

Good points are, much easier to focus using the D90 eyepiece, less noise and the frame rate.

So at the moment the P5100 is back on the scope adaptor, and the D90 my first Digital SLR, will be used for my close ups of flowers and general photography, with perhaps later a 300 f4 and telecon. The D90 is giving me some superb pictures of flowers this afternoon, a superb camera.

Malc

[RJM]

Since you are all Nikon, you should skip the afocal projection method and use the positve projection method of the Nikon FSA-L1 adapter with the D90.

cheers,
Rick

[Derry]

the FSA-L1 will allow the D90 to work in a prime mode through your scope as it replaces the camera lens and the scopes eye piece,,

it will not work on your P5100 as you cannot remove the lens,,

it is an expensive adapter costing in the $300+ area,,

http://www.nikon.com/products/sportoptics/lineup/dsystem/fsa-l1/index.htm

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sq=desc&gclid=CPHNtebd7pYCFQa6sgodqCqtqw&Q=&sb=ps&pn=1&ci=0&A=search&shs=Nikon%20Fsa-L1

Derry

[Neil]

I was out digiscoping today in bright sunlight all day with the D90 and the P6000. As there was no shade it was difficult to use the P6000 and most of the time I was shooting blind. I had to focus the scope first and then trust the AF of the P6000 as I had trouble seeing the result. And this is one of the best screens around. So I mostly used the D90 as it's screen was easier to see in the bright conditions and I mostly used the optical viewfinder. As I was mostly shooting white birds finding focus manually was tough for me and my success rate was low, except for the Little Egret images where he was coming back to perch on the same post so I just pre-focused using Liveview and fired off the shutter as he approached with the fish. I was shooting at 1/2000th second at iso 640 at f2.8 ( Nikon 20/2.8 D lens ). This was what made these moving shots possible. Neil

Nikon D90 plus Nikon 20/2.8 lens and Swarovski STS80HD scope and Sw 30x eyepiece and DCA adapter and balance bar

Hong Kong,
China.
November 2008

[wings]

I can attach it two ways -
1. with stepdown rings on the 20/2.8 D from 62/58/52 and then on to the Swarovski DCA. I turn the scope on it's side to match up with the height of the camera lens and angle it (see photo in previous thread. I switch off the AF with this method. There is a bit of vignetting with this approach due to all the step rings.
2. I just slide the camera lens as close to the scope eyepiece as necessary to minimise vignetting (on the Manfrotto balance plate mounted onto the balance bar ).

The iso 800 noise is similar to the iso 400 on the Olympus E420 and iso 1600 on the D3, but I haven't done a definitive test yet.
Neil.
___________

Neil, first, excellent photos with the new D90. I'll bet you're having a lot of fun with your new toy. I finally got myself a 50mm lens for my 20D, and with a universal bracket attempted my first DSLR digiscoped shot using your method #2, by sliding the camera as close as possible to the scope eyepiece. I use a black felt cloth to drape over the setup so as to keep out extraneous light (I have a Kowa DCA-1 adapter, similar to the Swaro one but did not use it). Sure beats the A590IS I've used in the past.

Here are two shots. The close-up was from approx 50ft distance with no sharpening. The other shot was taken at a distance of about 100 ft.

[Neil]

___________

Neil, first, excellent photos with the new D90. I'll bet you're having a lot of fun with your new toy. I finally got myself a 50mm lens for my 20D, and with a universal bracket attempted my first DSLR digiscoped shot using your method #2, by sliding the camera as close as possible to the scope eyepiece. I use a black felt cloth to drape over the setup so as to keep out extraneous light (I have a Kowa DCA-1 adapter, similar to the Swaro one but did not use it). Sure beats the A590IS I've used in the past.

Here are two shots. The close-up was from approx 50ft distance with no sharpening. The other shot was taken at a distance of about 100 ft.

Nice work from that distance. I'm glad your having fun. I'm still having focusing problems with the DSLR so I take a lot of shots and make small adjustments to the focus as I go . I heard that Canon had a focus bracketting function in one of their cameras. I wish I had it in the D90.
Neil.

[RJM]

Here are a few I've taken with the Nikon D90 + FSA-L1 adapter and ED82. The Little Egret was fairly close, ~21m. The Grey Heron and Kingfisher were further, ~56m.

cheers,
Rick

[JGobeil]

Wow Neil ! Great shots of that Egret. Truly amazing - congradulations !

[RJM]

Here are some more of a Kingfisher I got today from ~60m distance with the D90 + Nikon FSA-L1 dslr adapter and ED82. I waited in a hide ~20m from where I saw it last week but it refused to come closer during the 3hrs I was there. Took some video too hoping to catch one in flight but the bird continued to foil me. I think the flight stills I managed are still a little blurry even though shutter speed was 1/1000sec. I thought the shadow cast on the rock is kinda cool though.

cheers,
Rick

[horukuru]

That's a great shot RJM !

[wings]

Neil, how would you compare the Nikon D90 digiscoped images with (a) your Coolpix 5100 images and (b) your Canon A590IS images? Do you find that the D90's 920,000 pixel LCD screen helps, assuming you are using the Live View feature of the DSLR?

[mcewenrk]

Here are some more of a Kingfisher I got today from ~60m distance with the D90 + Nikon FSA-L1 dslr adapter and ED82. I waited in a hide ~20m from where I saw it last week but it refused to come closer during the 3hrs I was there. Took some video too hoping to catch one in flight but the bird continued to foil me. I think the flight stills I managed are still a little blurry even though shutter speed was 1/1000sec. I thought the shadow cast on the rock is kinda cool though.

cheers,
Rick

Hi Rick,

I've just got a FSA-L1 and D90 to use with my ED82 and would be really appreciate some details/tips about the camera setup you're using.

Thanks,
RM

[RJM]

Well, first let me say I like the camera to do as much of the work as possible, both shooting and post-processing. Getting good focus manually with the ED82 is hard enough and pixel peeping pics on a PC is not my idea of a fun night! So my style and methods may be "heresy" to those who prefer maximum control and like playing in Photoshop.

My end game is to have an image good enough to print directly from the camera/memory card, bypassing the need for a PC. If I can get a high "keeper ratio" I can quickly pick and choose my shots on the train ride home from my outing. Then I just pop into the local print kiosk to get my prints done while I have a few beers at the pub. I prefer prints as no monitor I have can really do the image justice.

That said, I have only had the D90 for a few weeks with only about 800 shots so far. My "keeper ratio" is only about 1:10 now, so I am having to take about 200 shots per outing to get anything worth printing. Way too many pics to easily sort through in camera! I am still tweaking the settings, particularly the Picture Controls and I only have the Nikon View NX and Capture NX2 demo to post process with. The D90 has much more dynamic range the my D40 and I am having to adjust my methods to compensate. I am thinking I may need several Custom Picture Controls to get more keepers.

Of course, with the FSA-L1 the camera Mode Dial is set to Aperture Priority. Metering is set to MATRIX (somtimes Center Weighted if I can get close enough for the bird to fill the view, HA!) Exposure Compensation and sometimes Active D-Lighting are adjusted depending on the Playback Histogram. I shoot Continuous H4.5fps and sometime Remote shutter release modes.

So here are my current D90 Menu settings:

Shooting Menu
Picture Control "BIRDS" - modified VIVID with Sharpening 7, Saturation -1, Hue 0 (Active D-Lighting is ON -Auto so Contrast and Brightness are not unavailable)
Image Quality - RAW (eventually Normal JPEG once I get the Pic Control tweeked)
White Balance -Auto
ISO Sensitivity settings - Auto ISO ON, Range 200-3200, Min shutter speed 1/250 (I raise/lower min shutter depending on light conditions and the movement of the bird. Ideally, I want to keep ISO ≤800 with a shutter of 1/500 for still birds, and 1/1600 for birds in flight)
Active D-Lighting -Auto (may change this if I can't get Contrast toned down in Picture Control)
Color Space - Adobe RGB (eventually sRGB to save having to convert later for prints)
Long exp NR - OFF
High ISO NR- High (only kicks in above ISO800)

The rest of the Shooting Menu is not important.

Custom Settings Menu (*changed from default)
a2-WIDE
a3-OFF
a5-ON
a7-NORM
c5-15m
d1-OFF
d2-ON
d3-ISO
d7-ON
d10- Usually OFF but depends on shutter speed
f3-ACCESS TOP ITEM MY MENU

My Menu
Set Picture Control
ISO Sensitivity Settings
ISO Sensitivity auto control
d10 Exposure delay mode
e4 Auto Bracketing set

That's it. Hope it helps!
Rick

[Neil]

Neil, how would you compare the Nikon D90 digiscoped images with (a) your Coolpix 5100 images and (b) your Canon A590IS images? Do you find that the D90's 920,000 pixel LCD screen helps, assuming you are using the Live View feature of the DSLR?

Sorry I've been a bit tardy with this thread over the last week. We've had a fantastic week for light here and low humidity at last so I've been out every day taking over 20 gigs/day. I'm still catching up.
Some nice images being posted which shows what can be done with the D90.
I'm getting to know the Nikon P6000 which I'm more and more impressed with.
Lot's of megs to play with and the RAW is very nice to have, although slow.
It's better than the P5100 but more difficult to fit to eyepieces . I usually use it off the adapter on my special balance bar. The Canon A590IS will work with any eyepiece (fixed or zoom ) and has lot's of nice features but it's poor screen let's it down for outside work.
Where you want AF and quiet operation ( there are places I photograph where any noise at all spooks the birds ) I'll use the P6000. Where I have time to focus ( I'm a bit slow in the manual focus area ) and the birds are in the range 20 - 50 metres I'll use the D90 ( I'm using the 20/2.8 lens so range is a bit limited ).
Neil.

[mcewenrk]

Well, first let me say I like the camera to do as much of the work as possible, both shooting and post-processing. Getting good focus manually with the ED82 is hard enough and pixel peeping pics on a PC is not my idea of a fun night! So my style and methods may be "heresy" to those who prefer maximum control and like playing in Photoshop.

My end game is to have an image good enough to print directly from the camera/memory card, bypassing the need for a PC. If I can get a high "keeper ratio" I can quickly pick and choose my shots on the train ride home from my outing. Then I just pop into the local print kiosk to get my prints done while I have a few beers at the pub. I prefer prints as no monitor I have can really do the image justice.

That said, I have only had the D90 for a few weeks with only about 800 shots so far. My "keeper ratio" is only about 1:10 now, so I am having to take about 200 shots per outing to get anything worth printing. Way too many pics to easily sort through in camera! I am still tweaking the settings, particularly the Picture Controls and I only have the Nikon View NX and Capture NX2 demo to post process with. The D90 has much more dynamic range the my D40 and I am having to adjust my methods to compensate. I am thinking I may need several Custom Picture Controls to get more keepers.

Of course, with the FSA-L1 the camera Mode Dial is set to Aperture Priority. Metering is set to MATRIX (somtimes Center Weighted if I can get close enough for the bird to fill the view, HA!) Exposure Compensation and sometimes Active D-Lighting are adjusted depending on the Playback Histogram. I shoot Continuous H4.5fps and sometime Remote shutter release modes.

So here are my current D90 Menu settings:

Shooting Menu
Picture Control "BIRDS" - modified VIVID with Sharpening 7, Saturation -1, Hue 0 (Active D-Lighting is ON -Auto so Contrast and Brightness are not unavailable)
Image Quality - RAW (eventually Normal JPEG once I get the Pic Control tweeked)
White Balance -Auto
ISO Sensitivity settings - Auto ISO ON, Range 200-3200, Min shutter speed 1/250 (I raise/lower min shutter depending on light conditions and the movement of the bird. Ideally, I want to keep ISO ≤800 with a shutter of 1/500 for still birds, and 1/1600 for birds in flight)
Active D-Lighting -Auto (may change this if I can't get Contrast toned down in Picture Control)
Color Space - Adobe RGB (eventually sRGB to save having to convert later for prints)
Long exp NR - OFF
High ISO NR- High (only kicks in above ISO800)

The rest of the Shooting Menu is not important.

Custom Settings Menu (*changed from default)
a2-WIDE
a3-OFF
a5-ON
a7-NORM
c5-15m
d1-OFF
d2-ON
d3-ISO
d7-ON
d10- Usually OFF but depends on shutter speed
f3-ACCESS TOP ITEM MY MENU

My Menu
Set Picture Control
ISO Sensitivity Settings
ISO Sensitivity auto control
d10 Exposure delay mode
e4 Auto Bracketing set

That's it. Hope it helps!
Rick

Thanks Rick, much appreciated !

[RJM]

Picked up the new Nikon AF-S F1.4 50mm last night as I expect to be taking lots of indoor party pics this holiday season. I also have been intrigued with the afocal pics Neil has been getting with his Swaro rig and since I have a full set of the Nikon 30x/50x/75x DS eyepieces I can experiment to see if I prefer this method to the FSA-L1 adapter. I like the idea of getting some auotfocus help and the ability to get more image scale by swapping out eyepieces instead of cropping.

cheers,
Rick

[Feathered one]

I will be interested in your results with the D90 and 50mm 1.4 Rick.
I am not happy with my D90 and 35mm 2.0 with the same scope and eyepieces you have.
I don't get reliable metering, ok it's winter here so a lot of time we don't get good light.
I am undecided if I need to go with a 24 or 28mm lens, Neil is using a 20mm.
keep us informed please Rick.

I miss the better ISO, focusing and FPS of the D90, have reverted back to the P5100 for now.

Malcolm

[RJM]

Out at our local bayside bird park today expecting to get shots of the usual suspects. Walking along I heard a ruckus in the thick sasa next to the path. Figured is was a feral cat since it seemed to follow me. Gave the sasa a whack with my tripod and out flew a flock of these Japanese White Eye. Taken from about 8m through thick trees. Nikon D90 thru ED82 + FSA-L1 adapter. No processing other than resizing. Probably one of my best digiscoping pics to date!:D