Nikon dslr for digiscoping

[Gandalf_22h]

Hi. My present camera Nikon D3 + 80-400 VR is ok for fairly near images of birds. Would it be feasible to mount the D3 onto an ED 82 Fieldscope via the Nikon dslr adapter FSA-L1 and get a far longer reach that way as purchasing a 200-400/500/600 VR nikkor is beyond my means at present. I believe it would be a 1500mm @ approx f13. Would the high ISO capabilities of the D3 be an advantage here in order to achieve a fast enough shutter speed. I have never done any digiscoping via this technique in my life.

Any advice would be helpful. Thanks in advance, :t:

G_22h

[RJM]

Great match BUT because the D3 is a full frame camera the focal lenth =1000mm. The 1500 figure is an effective number used with the DX cameras like the D300/D90/D60 etc.

cheers,
Rick

[Gandalf_22h]

Great match BUT because the D3 is a full frame camera the focal lenth =1000mm. The 1500 figure is an effective number used with the DX cameras like the D300/D90/D60 etc.

cheers,
Rick

RJM: Thanks for the correction. I should have realised that. I still need some things explaining if I decide to go this route. Nikon website informs that Aperture Mode, spot and centre-weighted metering are available on D2 series, so presume the same applies for D3 series. How will this be of use as I would think the Fieldscope would have a fixed f-stop value and not be able to be stopped-down via the camera?

Cheers in advance

G_22h

[RJM]

I use the ED82 + FSA-L1 with the D90.

In AP mode, the camera can have full auto control over most settings including Metering and Exposure Compensation. Pretty much everything except AutoFocus. I use Matrix metering. I don't see the point of using the other legacy metering options with these current generation DSLRs. I also set Auto ISO to ON and Sensitivity to Max ISO3200 and Min Shutter Speed to 1/250 since the camera is smarter/faster in adjusting these than me. I take a few test shots and adjust Exposure Compensation, checking the test pics for clipping in the Highlights review screen and the Histogram screen to overwieght to the right. Normally this would give a washed out look to the pic, having to correct Brightness and Contrast later in processing. To avoid this I turn Active D-lighting ON and set to Auto so the camera can do the work in real time. Picture Control is set to the default Landscape or Vivid settings.

That's my current cookbook.

BTW, I have an extra FSA-L1 available if you need a good deal :-)

cheers,
Rick

[Gandalf_22h]

I use the ED82 + FSA-L1 with the D90.

In AP mode, the camera can have full auto control over most settings including Metering and Exposure Compensation. Pretty much everything except AutoFocus. I use Matrix metering. I don't see the point of using the other legacy metering options with these current generation DSLRs. I also set Auto ISO to ON and Sensitivity to Max ISO3200 and Min Shutter Speed to 1/250 since the camera is smarter/faster in adjusting these than me. I take a few test shots and adjust Exposure Compensation, checking the test pics for clipping in the Highlights review screen and the Histogram screen to overwieght to the right. Normally this would give a washed out look to the pic, having to correct Brightness and Contrast later in processing. To avoid this I turn Active D-lighting ON and set to Auto so the camera can do the work in real time. Picture Control is set to the default Landscape or Vivid settings.

That's my current cookbook.

BTW, I have an extra FSA-L1 available if you need a good deal :-)

cheers,
Rick

Cheers Rick. Thanks for the added advice. Never thought of using Auto-ISO. As I shoot NEF I would have Active D-lighting in camera set to off and my Picture control setting to standard. I find vivid can sometimes make feathers look funny. I use NX2 for my post processing.
Again, my thanks, I just may give digiscoping with a Fieldscope a try.

G_22h

[mcewenrk]

I use the ED82 + FSA-L1 with the D90.

In AP mode, the camera can have full auto control over most settings including Metering and Exposure Compensation. Pretty much everything except AutoFocus. I use Matrix metering. I don't see the point of using the other legacy metering options with these current generation DSLRs. I also set Auto ISO to ON and Sensitivity to Max ISO3200 and Min Shutter Speed to 1/250 since the camera is smarter/faster in adjusting these than me. I take a few test shots and adjust Exposure Compensation, checking the test pics for clipping in the Highlights review screen and the Histogram screen to overwieght to the right. Normally this would give a washed out look to the pic, having to correct Brightness and Contrast later in processing. To avoid this I turn Active D-lighting ON and set to Auto so the camera can do the work in real time. Picture Control is set to the default Landscape or Vivid settings.

That's my current cookbook.

BTW, I have an extra FSA-L1 available if you need a good deal :-)

cheers,
Rick


Hi RJM,
I'm thinking of using the D90 with the ED82 and FSA-L1 and would be interested in your comments on how useful it is compared to point and shoots. I'm currently using the P5100 which I'm pleased with but would like to know how people get on with DSLR especially the D90.

Thanks,
RM

[RJM]

Lots of posts here and elsewhere on the benefits of dslr over a point and shoot. The D90 is Nikon's best DX camera yet. You can automate the shooting process enough that the camera gets out of the way so you can concentrate on getting interesting and beautiful photos. The D90 will perform better under difficult lighting scenarios, especially in the morning and late afternoons when animals are more active and the light is generally best for pics.

Digicams still have the size/weight advantage though and you can get some insane distance/focal lengths in good light.

cheers,
Rick

[Neil]

Gandalf,
You can digiscope with the D3 as has been mentioned but the lack of Liveview makes it difficult to get accurate focus. Although it's a full frame camera you can just choose to use a longer focal length lens. I've tested the Nikon 105/2.8 Macro lens with no problems except the problems I had focusing. Much easier with the D90 with Liveview ( you even get AF with appropriate lenses ). Ideal lens would be the 45/2.8 P (pancake) lens.
Have a look at the D90 thread and the P5100 thread which will answer most of your questions.
Neil.
Neil.

[Gandalf_22h]

Gandalf,
You can digiscope with the D3 as has been mentioned but the lack of Liveview makes it difficult to get accurate focus. Although it's a full frame camera you can just choose to use a longer focal length lens. I've tested the Nikon 105/2.8 Macro lens with no problems except the problems I had focusing. Much easier with the D90 with Liveview ( you even get AF with appropriate lenses ). Ideal lens would be the 45/2.8 P (pancake) lens.
Have a look at the D90 thread and the P5100 thread which will answer most of your questions.
Neil.
Neil.

Neil: I am slightly confused by your answer. Using the D3 with the ed82 fieldscope requires the camera to be connected minus lens directly to the scope via a special adapter FSA-L1. D3 has 'Liveview' and presume it would work with the fieldscope as it's controlled via camera.
G_22h

[Neil]

Neil: I am slightly confused by your answer. Using the D3 with the ed82 fieldscope requires the camera to be connected minus lens directly to the scope via a special adapter FSA-L1. D3 has 'Liveview' and presume it would work with the fieldscope as it's controlled via camera.
G_22h

Gandalf,
I don't know what I was thinking either. I didn't read your question properly. I blocked out that the D3 had Liveview , as I only use for Sensor Cleaning. The D90 Liveview is a much better implementation for digiscoping and you have video as well.
Neil.

[RJM]

Yeah, the dedicated Liveview button on the D90 is the bee's knees. Disappointed though the magnified image is not as good as what Canon 450 puts up even though D90 screen has much better resolution.

Rick

[Gandalf_22h]

A big thank you to all who replied, but this just seems to be going round in circles. I need to discuss this with Nikon I think.
Much obliged for the time taken.

G_22h :t:

[Mr. Birder]

First, an apology. I'm sorry if this looks like I'm hijacking this thread. I did a search first and it was the one that looked like it would be the best place to get an answer to a question.

I used to be an avid birder when we lived in Florida. Almost three years ago we moved to Arkansas. Almost immediately I found that I was losing the vision in my left eye. I can no longer use binoculars, so I purchased a monocular. Not great but it is allowing me to get back into the action. Here's my question. I have a Swarovski AT 80 HD spotting scope with the 20x-40x-60x zoom lens and a Nikon D50 DSLR camera. I also own the DCA adapter to use the Nikon and the AT 80 HD. What I no longer have are the directions to connect them all together and with one good eye, I easily get frustrated in trying to figure it out. If someone has them or can explain it in simple detail I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks and again my apology for interrupting the discussion on this thread.