Digiscoping with Kowa TS 614

[JamesW]

I'm a new Birdforum user (this is my first post), looking for advice on a digiscoping set up.

My scope is a straight-through Kowa TS 614 - not a bad scope for a lightweight 60mm job. I've been using it very happily for some years with a fixed 27* eyepiece.

Now I'm thinking about getting stated with digiscoping.

Has anyone out there used this scope and eyepiece combination for digiscoping purposes? If so, what are the results like?

I'm thinking about acquiring the Contax SL300RT or the Contax U4R T. Would they make a good combination with my little Kowa scope?

All advice gratefully received!

JamesW

[pduxon]

Hi James

welcome to BF - you'll get soem feedback soon

[Jules Sykes]

Hello James

Today for the first tome I was forced into using my 614 for digiscoping. Found a Sociable Plover on the local marsh and needed to take photos to back-up my description for the Spanish Rarities Committee.

Anyway I normally use the Swarovski ATS 65 with an adaptor but I had to hand hold my camera to the 20x lens. The upshot being I still found it a dark image and luckily it was sunny here today, in Britain with a 27x it might be a hell of a problem.
I will attach one of the better ones, which have had to be lightened on photoshop be still not bad hand-held from a car. I am sure optically it will be fine it is just whether you will get the light gathering!. Hope this helps.

[JamesW]

Hello James

Today for the first tome I was forced into using my 614 for digiscoping. Found a Sociable Plover on the local marsh and needed to take photos to back-up my description for the Spanish Rarities Committee.

Anyway I normally use the Swarovski ATS 65 with an adaptor but I had to hand hold my camera to the 20x lens. The upshot being I still found it a dark image and luckily it was sunny here today, in Britain with a 27x it might be a hell of a problem.
I will attach one of the better ones, which have had to be lightened on photoshop be still not bad hand-held from a car. I am sure optically it will be fine it is just whether you will get the light gathering!. Hope this helps.


Hi Jules,

Many thanks - and well done on the Sociable Plover.

It looks like I might struggle for light here in the UK. I'd be interested if anyone else out there has views on the respective merits of the 27* or other eyepieces for digiscoping purposes when used with the TS 614 scope.

JamesW

[hornet]

There was a thread way back last year with a link to a US site where the guy had used the 613 (angled version of your scope) to take some outstanding pictures. Try a search for TS613 or similar.

I have a TS611, the non-ED version of your scope. ALthough I now use a Zeiss 65 for my digiscoping (because it has ED glass) I have taken the occasional shot through the 611 (with my Contax 300SL when I am lightweight birding on a long walk for example) and they have been fine. The 614 would of course be even better because of the better quality glass.

I'd be tempted to buy the camera, rig up your own adaptor and try it for a while. I reckon it'll turnout to be a quality lightweight bit of kit suitable for most occasions.

If you feel after using it that you need to move up to another scope, great, you can do that later. It depends how much of your time you end up birding, how much digiscoping. You'll only know that when you've done it for a while.

Good luck.

ps there might be some good offers on Contax / Kyocera - apparently they've just ceased production of all cameras (see another thread on this subject). I love my little Contax - if prices plunge I may well buy another as a back-up.

[Tim Allwood]

i've digi'd with a 20 x wide on a 613 and have had results comparable quality wise with my ED78, although it's not as easy as with the larger Nikon... damn sight lighter though!

Tim

[marek_walford]

Most of the pics on my website at http://www.berksbirds.co.uk/birdphotography/ were taken with a TS611 (non-HD glass version) and are acceptable.

[JamesW]

Thanks Hornet, Tim and Marek for your advice - much appreciated.

Great pics, Marek!

JamesW