SLR or Compact for Digiscoping

[bpandsmjones]

I'm keen to try my hand at digiscoping and am in the process of deciding what would be the best kit within my means. My main question for the moment is 'SLR or Compact camera?' I have a Nikon SLR D50 which is fine but it doesn't have any form of image stabiliser and like a lot of SLRs one can't see the picture on the screen until afterwards (whereas I understand I would still be able to do that when digiscoping with say a Nikon P5100).

I'm leaning towards an Opticron ES GA ED 80 scope (which looks about the best I could afford within my budget) but don't yet understand what I should look for in an eyepice for digiscoping.

Any advice in these areas would be much appreciated.

[Neil]

The best eyepieces for digiscoping are usually fixed 30x with at least 18 mm of Eye Relief. Two of the best value-for-money cameras at the moment are the Canon A590IS and the Nikon P5100. Both will take adapters to fit with the scope. The A590IS has the more "eye piece friendly " lens and will work well zoom eyepieces too if you prefer to go that way. It does depend on where you will do most of your digiscoping , as if you are digiscoping from hides over mudflats , a 40x eyepiece would be better but you will lose a bit of light. 30x is usually the best compromise between quality, light gathering and distance. Neil.

[Paul Jarvis]

the opticron scope you mention is very capable of good photos, i ahve not had any expierence with the A590is but i did have an A620 that worked well with opticron equipment. I now have the p5100 and use it with a kowa 884 so I am sure the nikon would work fine with the ed 80 scope.