New to digiscoping - need advice!

[Matt_Phillips]

Hi everyone!

I've only recently found out about digiscoping and am eager to get started! I would very much appreciate any advice you can give me with regards to what I can do with the camera I have - A Sony CyberShot DSC-H2 (Details here (http://www.cameras.co.uk/camera-reviews/sony-dsc-h2.cfm)). It's a compact superzoom camera.

From what i've read I may have a few problems as it has a large lens, fixed to the camera, I think i might have a few problems pointing / attaching it to a telescope (i've got to buy one of them too). I'm on a budget called 'overdraft' so you can appreciate I can't buy a better camera, or a really expensive telescope. Do you think i'll get any results digiscoping with my Cybershot? I have thought maybe i'd be better off using a cheaper compact digital, one with little zoom but more pixels, i can't buy one right now but may be able to borrow one. I put most of my photos on the web, so whilst i'd like to be able to take print quality ones, i'd be happy if any photos i take are just good enough for the web.

I've seen a few National Geographic branded telescopes on ebay, has anyone any idea if they'd be useful to me?

I hope to hear from some of you if you've any tips. Many thanks.

MattB (:

[Keith Dickinson]

Your camera will be little use for digiscoping as the objective lens is so large. I've tried a similar type camera with my Kowa scope and the results were infinitely worse the results I get with my compact Canon A540.
Your thoughts about a small compact with lots of pixels are correct, I use my camera on 3x zoom for most of my digiscoping as I have a 32x eyepiece on the scope, ideally I'd like a smaller mag eyepiece for the scope so I could up the mag on the camera.
When it comes to scopes, ED glass is almost a must for digiscoping as you need all the light through the scope you can get.

[Matt_Phillips]

Hi, thanks for the advice Keith, that's very helpful.

[Matt_Phillips]

In light of your advice i'm going to get myself a new camera just for digiscoping (i'll worry about the scope later). I'm looking at 3 models in the £30-£60 bracket:

The Samsung "S760" 7.2m pixel digital camera £55
3x optical zoom. 3x digital zoom. 2.4in LCD screen. Face detection, red-eye reduction, ISO 1000 high sensitivity. Video with sound. Image stabilizer. 11Mb internal memory. SD card expansion slot. 2 x AA batteries.

Praktica "DCZ 7.4" 7m pixel digital camera £59
3x optical zoom. 5x digital zoom. 2.4in LCD. 10.5Mb internal memory - SD card expansion slot. 15 scene modes, video with sound at 30fps, self timer. Includes: USB/AV out, AA batteries, case, strap and software.

Praktica "Slimpix 5250" 5m pixel digital camera £39
4x digital zoom. 2.4in TFT colour screen. 32Mb internal memory. SD card expansion slot. Ultra-slim with sliding lens cover. Webcam and video with sound. Includes: manual, USB cable, case, batteries and CD software.

I'd very much appreciate your opinions on which camera would be most suitable, and if they'll be attachable to a telescope.

Thanks for reading B (:

[Matt_Phillips]

Just thought i'd update you on my progress. I've ordered a Wetekom 18 to 36x spotting scope with digiscoping adaptor for just £34.99 new! I'm waiting for it to arrive, and then i'll borrow a compact. I'm really looking forward to it, i'll be sure to share my first images with you, there's a few cormorants in Aylesbury that I want to capture!