Is there an alternative to the 4500

[Reader]

Yesterday I had a major accident with my CP4500. Having been back to Jessops with it they think it is possibly beyond repair.

I have it covered under an extended warranty but that brings problems if it is beyond repair, as they will offer me what they think is an alternative camera (first impression was the 4300 which will definitely not do the job).

If that is not acceptable to me I think that all they will offer me is their limit of a cost of repair (even though it would be classed as a write off). I even suggested that I would take a 2nd hand one if any of the stores had one but there isn't one nationwide in their stores.

Does anyone here know what the alternatives are to the 4500 so that I might be able to make that suggestion to Jessops?

John

[Bish]

If your equipment is insured make a claim & buy a new 4500 from Warehouseexpress who are getting some in shortly.

Regards Bish. :t:

[Reader]

If your equipment is insured make a claim & buy a new 4500 from Warehouseexpress who are getting some in shortly.

Regards Bish. :t:

It is not insured in the normal way but covered as an extended warranty. The conditions are a bit different, as outlined above.

John

[Bish]

Check your household contents insurance you may be covered but watch out for exclusions you may have to be econommical with the truth!

Regards Bish. :t:

[Reader]

Check your household contents insurance you may be covered but watch out for exclusions you may have to be econommical with the truth!

Regards Bish. :t:

Hi bish

I haven't got Household insurance. That is why I am stuck and asking for advice on alternatives. All I have is that extended warranty.

John

[RedBishop]

Hi bish

I haven't got Household insurance. That is why I am stuck and asking for advice on alternatives. All I have is that extended warranty.

John
Nikon CP 8400, I think that would be the best digiscoping camera today.

[Bish]

The only other thing I can think of is take the most valuable camera they offer you sell it & then buy a 4500 from WE.

Regards Bish. :t:

[bobwoodcock]

Yesterday I had a major accident with my CP4500. Having been back to Jessops with it they think it is possibly beyond repair.

I have it covered under an extended warranty but that brings problems if it is beyond repair, as they will offer me what they think is an alternative camera (first impression was the 4300 which will definitely not do the job).

If that is not acceptable to me I think that all they will offer me is their limit of a cost of repair (even though it would be classed as a write off). I even suggested that I would take a 2nd hand one if any of the stores had one but there isn't one nationwide in their stores.

Does anyone here know what the alternatives are to the 4500 so that I might be able to make that suggestion to Jessops?

John

John,
What about the Kyocera or equivelant,I hope Jessops can get another 4500 for you,perhaps a PM to Andy might help

[Reader]

Nikon CP 8400, I think that would be the best digiscoping camera today.

I had a quick look at that and it looks like it has an external zoom. Is that right?

John

[Reader]

John,
What about the Kyocera or equivelant,
They are discontinued lines also and they haven't any 2nd hand ones of those either.

I hope Jessops can get another 4500 for you,perhaps a PM to Andy might help
I spoke to Andy on the phone and he is going to give it some thought and PM me with some suggestions.

[bobwoodcock]

I had a quick look at that and it looks like it has an external zoom. Is that right?

John
Hope you can replace it somehow as it must be very frustrating for you,I know if mine ever goes belly up I would be lost, especially here in Turkey

[postcardcv]

It's not an easy one, but at least you'll be getting a camera out of it... Personally I think that the Sony's are a good set of camera's to look at - the W5/W7 seem fairly popular digiscoping cameras, I use the S90 which is a much cheaper option. You could also see if Jessops have a Canon A95, I know that there were some kicking around in the chain recently.

When they let you know what your options are post them on here, I'm sure someone will have tried the cameras for digiscoping.

[postcardcv]

Just a thought - it would be well worth trying to get a camera that takes CF cards (like the A95), so you don't have to buy more memory cards.

A lot of the current cameras have external zooms but are still fine for digiscoping, but it might mean that you need to change your adaptor.

[Reader]

Just a thought - it would be well worth trying to get a camera that takes CF cards (like the A95), so you don't have to buy more memory cards.

A lot of the current cameras have external zooms but are still fine for digiscoping, but it might mean that you need to change your adaptor.

That's a good point as I have 2 x 256, 2 x 128, 3 x 64, 2 x 16 and a couple of 8's to consider. On top of that I have also got 4 x EN-ELI batteries that go with the 4500.

John

[RedBishop]

I had a quick look at that and it looks like it has an external zoom. Is that right?

John

That is correct, unfortunately, since the production of the CP4500, there weren’t any good digisocping cameras with an internal zoom.

It should be fairly simple to come up with an adapter that works for an external zoom camera, see attached an adapter I made from an ear-clearer tube for my A95.

[Andrew]

In the latest Opticron adverts on some magazines they are suggesting the Samsung i5 as a digiscoping camera with an adaptor included.

I think it only has 3x zoom but if the megs are higher than a CP4500 then it will work out okay as you can do a slight digital zoom and get the same quality as the CP4500's pics if you get my drift?

[Neil]

The Nikon CP8400 is one of the best of the recent crop of digiscoping cameras and can still be found in the market, As it has a screw thread in the lens it will take an adapter to match up with the scope adapter. It will also work with a remote and has a rotatable screen and an Electronic View Finder which is nice.

[Reader]

Thanks Andrew & Neil

I will look into those if my 4500 is beyond repair.

Thankfully I have a bit of a solution on the go. One of the BF members has PM'd me and offered me a 2nd hand 4500 for a brilliant price. This will give me either a lone 4500 (with the possibilty of an alternative one if my old one can't be repaired) or two 4500's if it can.

John

[mickporter]

In the latest Opticron adverts on some magazines they are suggesting the Samsung i5 as a digiscoping camera with an adaptor included.

I was at InFocus today, and saw the Opticron kit. It uses that Samsung camera and an adaptor. The camera is very small and neat. Much smaller than the Nikons. Less strain on the eyepieces. Easily slip into a pocket or bag. Half the weight. The guy serving who is a good straightforward honest man, was singing its praises to a couple. He had used alongside his 4500 and he said it outperformed it!! (He also has 4500's for sale!!)

Maybe worth a looksee if you can buy the camera from Jessops and get the adaptor from Opticron. No idea what cards it uses though. It certainly will not use your batteries........

[Andrew]

The Samsung i5 seems to be an unbelievable piece of kit. If there is an easily availbel adaptor for the camera to a Swaro 65ATS scope then I am sorely tempted.

[RedBishop]

See this review of the Samsung:
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/samsung/digimax_i5-review/index.shtml

I don't think it's even near the quality of the 4500.

[christineredgate]

Ace Optics and Wilkinson Cameras are both selling 4500's.