A camera to replace the coolpix's - YES

[john-henry]

Over the last 3 years I've been digiscoping with a 995 and a 4500 - the 995's lens packed up just after 12 months so I bought the 4500 - both are good cameras but I never liked the small screen on the 4500 and was always struggling to get a good focus. A few weeks ago I read a review of the Canon A95 and being so impressed with its specs. bought one, it seemed the ideal replacement for the now obsolete Nikons.
After a little bit of head-scratching about adaptors I modified the swing-out bracket I'd made for the Nikons, this worked out very well indeed - vignetting is about the same if not a little better but the real difference comes when you look through the screen, bright, clear and a lot easier to focus with.
Although I've only been out with it a couple of times the quality of the lens is obvious, equally as good as the Coolpix, the modes and settings are about the same as the Nikons but I found them more user friendly and quicker to adjust. Being able to shoot at ISO 50 with 5Mpix is also a plus. The 3x zoom is less than the Nikon's 4x but as this gives a soft image at full zoom it's no great loss.
At about £200 I think it's a great buy (£205 delivered from Pixmania with a 2year warranty), anyone looking for a new or replacement camera would, in my opinion, be hard-pressed to find something better in the middle price range.
Below are some pics taken at the local Country Park plus a Bittern at a local reservoir at about 100yards, all have been cropped, had Levels and U-Mask applied then saved for web at further compression.

By the way I have no connection with Canon or Pixmania, it's my first Canon camera and the first time i've shopped at Pixania, it's just that so many people ask the question "what camera should I get for digiscoping" and i'm so impressed with this one I felt it might be useful.

john-henry.

[scampo]

Super shots - well done! I'll have a look at the camera next chance I get.

[christineredgate]

Excellent shots,John,it just shows what can be done with a few modifications.I think the quest for the perfect digiscoping camera will always be ongoing.Maybe ,this is why digiscoping is such a challenge.

[Keith Reeder]

Very nice, John-Henry - love the chaffy!

I'm a big fan of the A95 myself, and I agree, it's an extremely capable camera.

Which scope are you shooting through?

I've found that the 3x zoom "limitation" isn't really, when used with my Zeiss 65 + zoom EP, because I only use it to dial out vignetting (entirely), after which I just use the scope zoom as necessary.

[Neil]

It looks like we have worthy successor to the CP4500. Very nice images.

[IanF]

It looks like it's a great performer. I'll certainly consider it if I ever need to replace my CP4500.

[john-henry]

Very nice, John-Henry - love the chaffy!

I'm a big fan of the A95 myself, and I agree, it's an extremely capable camera.

Which scope are you shooting through?

I've found that the 3x zoom "limitation" isn't really, when used with my Zeiss 65 + zoom EP, because I only use it to dial out vignetting (entirely), after which I just use the scope zoom as necessary.


Hi Kieth

Using the Swarovski AT80HD with 20-60zoom.

Like you find the zoom no great problem, i'm just waiting for some decent weather to give it a try at full zoom and get some idea of its capabilities.

regards
john-henry





john-henry

[birdman]

Hmmm.... obsolete Coolpixes eh? Have to keep an eye on the classifieds...

[iporali]

Using the Swarovski AT80HD with 20-60zoom.

Like you find the zoom no great problem, i'm just waiting for some decent weather to give it a try at full zoom and get some idea of its capabilities.

regards
john-henry
Hi John-Henry,

I have the same scope as you and I strongly agree with all your findings regarding the A95. You may have noticed by now that actually the lower powers are more limiting than higher powers ;). Enclosed is a(n old) pair of images taken with the Canon A80 at its widest zoom setting, the Swaro AT80HD and two different eyepieces: the "old" 20-60x zoom and the new 20xSW fixed. I was positively surprised to realize how much wider views you get with the new wide-angled eyepiece. The eye-relief of the 20x is so short that it does not work as well with the Coolpix 4500.

Regards,

Ilkka

[julien]

Superb shots, I think I will be having a look at this camera. Thanks.

[john-henry]

Hi John-Henry,

I have the same scope as you and I strongly agree with all your findings regarding the A95. You may have noticed by now that actually the lower powers are more limiting than higher powers ;). Enclosed is a(n old) pair of images taken with the Canon A80 at its widest zoom setting, the Swaro AT80HD and two different eyepieces: the "old" 20-60x zoom and the new 20xSW fixed. I was positively surprised to realize how much wider views you get with the new wide-angled eyepiece. The eye-relief of the 20x is so short that it does not work as well with the Coolpix 4500.

Regards,

Ilkka


Hi Ilkka
I have the old Swarovski 22x w/a eyepiece which I never use, just a habit of using the zoom I suppose, I'll give this a try now after looking at the difference in your two pics.

Thanks

john-henry

[IvanB]

Hi John-Henry,
Impressive photos!
You mentioned your adapted Nikon swing out base to attach your scope to the A95. I have a Swarovski ATS 80 - do you know if their DCA or DCB camera attachments are suitable for attaching the A95? Or is it best to get the NIkon one and adapt it myself? Are there any problems with the zoom on the A95 being extrernal unlike the Nikon 4500 which has an internal mechanism?
I am in the process of starting digiscoping but am overwhelmed by the range of choices and equally varying range of advice!
Thanks for your help.
IvanB

[berger]

Why is A95 so suitable for digiscoping? Is it only because of the adjustable LCD display or is it something with the optics that makes this camera better suited than for example Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P100/P150 or other similar cameras?

I have the Zeiss Diascope 85. Have anyone tried A95 on this scope?

I have tried the Coolpix 4500 for a while now, but are not satisfied with the vignetting. It is not good compared to my OLD Olympus c-220 zoom (2 mp only). I hope to find a new and functional camera with similar optics...maybe the A95, time will show...

[iporali]

Hi John-Henry,
Impressive photos!
You mentioned your adapted Nikon swing out base to attach your scope to the A95. I have a Swarovski ATS 80 - do you know if their DCA or DCB camera attachments are suitable for attaching the A95? Or is it best to get the NIkon one and adapt it myself? Are there any problems with the zoom on the A95 being extrernal unlike the Nikon 4500 which has an internal mechanism?
I am in the process of starting digiscoping but am overwhelmed by the range of choices and equally varying range of advice!
Thanks for your help.
IvanB

Ivan,
I am quite sure (without actually knowing it) that the A95 works with the DCB as does the Nikon 5X00 here http://www.eagleoptics.com/Swarovski/Spotting+Scopes/pid3897. Also the zoom of the A95 is not a problem if you leave some space for the camera lens to extend (no, it does not increase vignetting). And actually the zoom of the CP4500 is only "pseudo-internal": the external zoom only moves behind a glass and is built inside the camera body.

The Swarovski DCB looks well made and stable camera support, but there seem to be some drawbacks in its design http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=20440 eg. it can't be easily used with a stay-on case.

The other high-quality camera support is the Zeiss Quick Camera Adapter (nicely reviewed by mickporter on the Equipment reviews), which is mounted under the scope. It is not disturbed by the SOC, but adds one element between the tripod head and the scope and has a longer "arm" to hold the camera (may be slightly less stable). It works well with the Swaro.


berger,
The adjustable display of the A80/95 is very convenient, but I like the Canons especially because they show less vignetting, their autofocus is faster, more accurate and the 9-field focus indicator shows very well where the camera has actually focused (EDIT: compared to the CP4500). The A95 also has very nice exposure controls: aperture priority (IMHO best in digiscoping) and many manual settings usually lack in Sonys (and Minoltas, Olympus, newer Nikons...). OTOH, many cameras with relatively short (3x) and compact zooms often work with the scopes better than the CP4500 - in terms of vignetting.

Regards,

Ilkka

[birdnerd13]

I just received my Canon A95 to replace my oh-so-slow Nikon CP 995.

I gather from the forum that IS0 50 and aperature priority is preferred for digiscoping.

What other recommendations for zoom, focus mode (spot?), etc.
Does the lens adapter LADC52D fit over the scope eyepiece (with foam spacer perhaps) to make the connection easier?

I have found the Leitz adapter too heavy and bulky and unwieldy and sent it back. These little light cameras don't need such a massive holder.

Thanks for your help. I'm excited about getting some great photos!

[clascronlund]

Every situation has it's won "best setting". But try the FlexiZoone focus mode. Then you can move the zoon around to the spot you want to focus on.

[john-henry]

Hi John-Henry,
Impressive photos!
You mentioned your adapted Nikon swing out base to attach your scope to the A95. I have a Swarovski ATS 80 - do you know if their DCA or DCB camera attachments are suitable for attaching the A95? Or is it best to get the NIkon one and adapt it myself? Are there any problems with the zoom on the A95 being extrernal unlike the Nikon 4500 which has an internal mechanism?
I am in the process of starting digiscoping but am overwhelmed by the range of choices and equally varying range of advice!
Thanks for your help.
IvanB


Hi Ivan
The swing-out bracket I'm using is one I made myself not the Nikon manufactured one, it's also for the angled scope, so I'm afraid I can't help a lot with that one - however I should think it's fairly easy to make your own if you can find/buy about 2ft. of 2"x1/4" flat aluminium. Mount your scope on it and try your camera for height against the scope eyepiece, this will give you a good idea of how much you need to build up the plate with pieces of aluminium, wood etc.
If you want it to swing-out you'll have to cut the plate a little way past the scope, overlap the two pieces and pivot them with a nut and bolt. Then carefully line up the zoom (do it at full zoom as it's at its maximum length then), also to help alignment I would recommend you buy a LensMate adaptor, if you're using the old Swarovski zoom the 52mm one just slips over the eyepiece almost perfectly.
An alternative to a bracket is to use a 37mm LensMate adaptor and one of the normal tube-type adaptors - there was an excellent thread by alan-rymer recently about this, it's well worth reading.
Hope this helps.
If there's anything else I or other members can help with just ask.

Regards
john-henry

[alan_rymer]

I just received my Canon A95 to replace my oh-so-slow Nikon CP 995.

I gather from the forum that IS0 50 and aperature priority is preferred for digiscoping.

What other recommendations for zoom, focus mode (spot?), etc.
Does the lens adapter LADC52D fit over the scope eyepiece (with foam spacer perhaps) to make the connection easier?

I have found the Leitz adapter too heavy and bulky and unwieldy and sent it back. These little light cameras don't need such a massive holder.

Thanks for your help. I'm excited about getting some great photos!Get the Canon A80/A95 Lensmate adapter adaptor from Lensmate with the 37mm thread and the buy a stepdown adaptor for your existing digiscoping adaptor. The LE2 Plus adaptor looks good:
http://www.lensadapter.com/

[berger]

Get the Canon A80/A95 Lensmate adapter adaptor from Lensmate with the 37mm thread and the buy a stepdown adaptor for your existing digiscoping adaptor. The LE2 Plus adaptor looks good:

I wonder if this setup can give the optimal distance between the cameralens and the ocular? Doesn't the cameralens get too close to the ocular? Maybe this can be adjusted with the positioning of the diciscoping adaptor?

Just wondering since my old olympus need some distance from the ocluar to "work" compared to the CP4500 that need to be as close as possible.

Waiting for my A95 now ;)

[alan_rymer]

With the A95, and my Opticron ES80HD EG with HDF zoom, the closer to yje eyepiece, the better!.

[SteveC]

I've just purchased the ES80 ED and with the eyecup up the A95 fits perfictly into the 32 W HDF.

I just need to find the perfect settings for the camera now, any suggestions would be gratfully recieved as the camera came from pixmania and the manual is in French. I know you can get it as a PDF but I just can't get on with reading manuals on screen.

The few pictures I have taken seem a bit grainy and washed out, also even though the image seems infocus before I take the shot, afterwards it all ways seems a little out of focus.

O well its early days yet. ;)

[john-henry]

I've just purchased the ES80 ED and with the eyecup up the A95 fits perfictly into the 32 W HDF.

I just need to find the perfect settings for the camera now, any suggestions would be gratfully recieved as the camera came from pixmania and the manual is in French. I know you can get it as a PDF but I just can't get on with reading manuals on screen.

The few pictures I have taken seem a bit grainy and washed out, also even though the image seems infocus before I take the shot, afterwards it all ways seems a little out of focus.

O well its early days yet. ;)

Steve
Here's a few suggestions that might help - top priority is to make sure the scope is really sharply focused before fitting the camera, then, in autofocus, half press the shutter to set the camera to this, it pays to take a shot of a stationary object just to make sure it is sharp - just delete it afterwards. If you switch to MF at anytime you will have to set the shooting distance, on the zoom distance scale, as going through Macro puts the camera out of focus, I find a setting of 7mtrs to 10 mtrs about right for this. Remember all the camera is doing is taking a picture of what it sees in the scope. If you know the scope is in focus then the camera needs altering.
Re the grainy look it might be down to the constantly dull days we seem to be having - assuming the weather in your area is the same as here - if not make sure you set ISO to 50 or at most 100, (unless a real rarity turns up and anything is better than nothing).

Settings, here's what I set mine at as a starting point for you:
In AV mode select Menu:-
set AF frame to FLEXIZONE
Spot AE point to AF POINT
MF zoom ON
Digital zoom OFF
Then save settings to C ( this puts these settings in C mode)

Switch to C mode.
Press the FUNC button and select
AWB - auto white balance
CONTINUOUS - continuous shooting (it's there if you need it quickly)
ISO 50
SPOT metering
SUPERFINE
LARGE
Press FUNC button when finished.
You now have all your required settings in C mode, use this as your shooting mode from now on, any adjustments to settings can be altered as you go along but the main thing is you've got AV mode in there.
There are several other bits and pieces that can be accessed using the SET button while you're shooting but you'll have to read the manual for these - I too have the French manual and just selected the important bits and printed them.

Hope this helps

john-henry

[rogerscoth]

I just received my Canon A95 to replace my oh-so-slow Nikon CP 995.................
Does the lens adapter LADC52D fit over the scope eyepiece (with foam spacer perhaps) to make the connection easier?................................
Nobody seems to have replied to your questions yet! In answer to your question above, it depends what 'scope and eye-piece you have. The LADC52D adaptor has a 52mm thread at the wide end, therefore, if you use this, that dimension dictates how it is linked to your particular equipment.
After much reading of test reports and Bird Forum members opinions and experiences, I have recently bought a Canon A95 to use with my Swarovski ATS80HD 'scope and 20-60 zoom eye-piece. The LADC25D adaptor 52mm thread is not large enough to go over the end of the eye-piece. I have a lot of thinking to do to design a suitable adaptor for my needs; I know a man who can machine the main part, using "food-quality" hard plastic.
I will keep you posted.

Roger

PS - Sorry Alan Rymer, I am almost awake now? and have just noticed your post (#18), and I believe I have overlapped your reply somewhat

[SteveC]

Thanks John-Henry those tips really helped, the picture of the Lapwing is before and the Collard Dove after using your tips.

One little question how do you keep the settings in C, when I turn the camera back on it is set to vivid and the spot is on the first one ?.

[john-henry]

Thanks John-Henry those tips really helped, the picture of the Lapwing is before and the Collard Dove after using your tips.

One little question how do you keep the settings in C, when I turn the camera back on it is set to vivid and the spot is on the first one ?.


Hi Steve,
Perhaps this is an easier way.

Next time you use your camera switch it on in AV mode, ignore any settings and go straight to the bottom item 'Save settings in C', make sure you select 'OK' in this and press the SET button, this will save AV mode to C.
Switch to C mode and check AV is indicated in the display, if it is you're halfway there. Now press the Func button and select the items I mentioned plus turn off 'Effect' (just below the ISO setting), press FUNC to come out of this now and press the MENU button, make all the other settings for focus, metering, etc. and make sure you 'save settings to C' as the last item, (select OK and press the SET button). This will save the MENU and FUNC settings and they should be there every time you switch on, even after a battery change.
Any problems or successes let us know, we all learn a little bit more everytime some posts.

regards

john-henry

ps. the Lapwing pic is about what you get when using autofocus with things in the foreground, the camera focuses on the first thing in the line of fire, so to speak, for shots like these you really have to use manual focus to be sure of a good focus.
Life ain't easy as the saying goes. ;)