Trying out my new Nikon P1 digiscoping equipment

[aplomado2u]

Hello All:
Well, it finally arrived, my new digiscoping equipment. I have the Nikon coolpix P1 camera and the Nikon Fieldscope (angled) 82 ED w/30X WA eyepiece.
B&H photo didn't get the order right, as they sent me the Celestron Universal 2" digital camera adapter, instead of the Nikon FSB-3 camera mounting bracket that had been ordered. Hopefully this will get straightened out.
I was so anxious to try this out that I fashioned a simple handheld adapter out of a PVC pipe coupling. Below are some links to photos that I have taken by handholding the Nikon coolpix P1 to my Nikon fieldscope 82 ED.

Brown basilisk (male) Digiscoped large file 375 k
http://www.albumsnaps.com/?c=photos&pID=116866

Dragonfly Digiscoped
http://www.albumsnaps.com/?c=photos&pID=116865

Beer bottlecap (shows the closeup focus of the Nikon P1)
http://www.albumsnaps.com/?c=photos&pID=116864&s=3

Greater yellowlegs Digiscoped
http://www.albumsnaps.com/?c=photos&pID=116863

Black-crowned night heron (juvenile) Digiscoped
http://www.albumsnaps.com/?c=photos&pID=116862

Gray-breasted martin Digiscoped
http://www.albumsnaps.com/?c=photos&pID=116861

Crested caracara and Black vulture Digiscoped
http://www.albumsnaps.com/?c=photos&pID=116857

So you don´t get the wrong idea, there were plenty of blurry ones too!
It will be nice to see how this performs with the correct adapter.

Good birding,

David McCauley
Tlacotalpan, Veracruz Mexico
Http://incorrigible-birder.blogspot.com

[horukuru]

nice n are u going to use the fsb-3 bracket next ?

[aplomado2u]

Yep, am waiting for them to send me the bracket(they sent the wrong bracket with the inital order)...that could be a month or more. It is pretty tough to hand hold with the 30X magnification.

David McCauley
Tlacotalpan, Veracruz Mexico
Http://incorrigible-birder.blogspot.com

[cliffm]

Yep, am waiting for them to send me the bracket(they sent the wrong bracket with the inital order)...that could be a month or more. It is pretty tough to hand hold with the 30X magnification.

David McCauley
Tlacotalpan, Veracruz Mexico
Http://incorrigible-birder.blogspot.com
David, i would like to know your overall experiance with this out fit. is it the P1 nikon digiscoping kit B&H is offering for $1999.95? Is it easy to use? do you think it is a good match. I dont see much of a ned for the wi-fi camera myself but the 8mp is nice. what tripod would you recommend for this kit? thanks. Cliff

[aplomado2u]

David, i would like to know your overall experiance with this out fit. is it the P1 nikon digiscoping kit B&H is offering for $1999.95? Is it easy to use? do you think it is a good match. I dont see much of a ned for the wi-fi camera myself but the 8mp is nice. what tripod would you recommend for this kit? thanks. Cliff
Cliff:
Yes, the Nikon digiscoping P1 kit. B & H has it as does Eagle Optics, Bionoculars.com and Anacortes.
I have only had it for a few days and I am quite impressed. Be sure it comes with the Nikon adapter W/calble relase. I don´t use the wi-fi...I just download via usb cable (very quick)
As for tripods (the heavier the better) I took out and old Gitzo tripod today with a Manfrotto head, it was quite windy and it functioned OK. I take alot of pictures most of them blurry....that is to be expected. With the 30X fixed eyepiece on the scope a stable tripod is a necessity. The Nikon fieldscope 82ED is a fine scope. I can´t get over the compactness of the Coolpix P1, so far no complaints....to the contrary, I find it quite amazing.
David

[aplomado2u]

I was able to take some pictures with the new digiscoping equipment yesterday. I am still trying to get it all sorted out, but I am liking some of the results. Yesterday was windy, so I took out my heavy tripod....here are some of the results:
Roadside hawk
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e250/birdblogs/mar10blog12.jpg

Snail kite (male)
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e250/birdblogs/mar10blog14.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e250/birdblogs/mar10blog15.jpg

Northern caracara (juvenile)
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e250/birdblogs/mar10blog19.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e250/birdblogs/mar10blog18.jpg

Digiscoping equipment;
Nikon Coolpix P1 (handheld) Nikon Fieldscope 82ED
Tripod Gitzo studex w/manfrotto head.

I think I'm gonna like this alot!

[cliffm]

Cliff:
Yes, the Nikon digiscoping P1 kit. B & H has it as does Eagle Optics, Bionoculars.com and Anacortes.
I have only had it for a few days and I am quite impressed. Be sure it comes with the Nikon adapter W/calble relase. I don´t use the wi-fi...I just download via usb cable (very quick)
As for tripods (the heavier the better) I took out and old Gitzo tripod today with a Manfrotto head, it was quite windy and it functioned OK. I take alot of pictures most of them blurry....that is to be expected. With the 30X fixed eyepiece on the scope a stable tripod is a necessity. The Nikon fieldscope 82ED is a fine scope. I can´t get over the compactness of the Coolpix P1, so far no complaints....to the contrary, I find it quite amazing.
David
Thanks David for the information, the next thing i have to do is convince my wife! I guess i just have to make my case a little clearer! Cliff

[avan]

Impressive picture and even more as they are handheld. I have the fsb-3 bracket, and have lot blurred too. I found I have some problems with my AutoFocus. If I blurred a bit the scope intentionaly, the AF lock on the subject but don't make the final adjustment like on my CP4500. Unfortunatly I don't have nice weather to try it correctly, most of the time it was dark and dull outside. I have send two other pictures in my gallery taken with the P1.

[aplomado2u]

Avan:
I enjoyed your photos. I hope you get some sun soon, that helps alot!
I was out today and took a few photos. I also noticed that if my scope wasn't perfectly focused that the auto focus wouldn't kick in. I don't know if that bad or good as I never had anything to compare it with. While I wait for my bracket to arrive I continue to handhold the camera to the scope with my piece of PVC pipe coupling. I am attaching some of the photos of a Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) that I digiscoped today.
Here is a link as well.
http://www.albumsnaps.com/?c=photos&pID=117205&s=3

Nikon Coolpix P1 hand held to Nikon Fieldscope 82 ED with Gitzo studex tripod/Manfrotto 3047 head

David McCauley
Tlacotalpan, Veracruz Mexico

[gaviao-real]

Hi David,

Truly some SHARP pictures,I really like the last three (black vulture)..
What is the distance to the bird,magnification?
Can't wait for pics with the FSB-3,can you? :)

Thanks in advance,

Ron van Rossum

[POP]

Avan:
I enjoyed your photos. I hope you get some sun soon, that helps alot!
I was out today and took a few photos. I also noticed that if my scope wasn't perfectly focused that the auto focus wouldn't kick in. I don't know if that bad or good as I never had anything to compare it with. While I wait for my bracket to arrive I continue to handhold the camera to the scope with my piece of PVC pipe coupling. I am attaching some of the photos of a Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) that I digiscoped today.
Here is a link as well.
http://www.albumsnaps.com/?c=photos&pID=117205&s=3

Nikon Coolpix P1 hand held to Nikon Fieldscope 82 ED with Gitzo studex tripod/Manfrotto 3047 head

David McCauley
Tlacotalpan, Veracruz Mexico
David could you send a photo of your homemade attachment for this camera.

POP

[cliffm]

Hello All:
Well, it finally arrived, my new digiscoping equipment. I have the Nikon coolpix P1 camera and the Nikon Fieldscope (angled) 82 ED w/30X WA eyepiece.
B&H photo didn't get the order right, as they sent me the Celestron Universal 2" digital camera adapter, instead of the Nikon FSB-3 camera mounting bracket that had been ordered. Hopefully this will get straightened out.
I was so anxious to try this out that I fashioned a simple handheld adapter out of a PVC pipe coupling. Below are some links to photos that I have taken by handholding the Nikon coolpix P1 to my Nikon fieldscope 82 ED.

Brown basilisk (male) Digiscoped large file 375 k
http://www.albumsnaps.com/?c=photos&pID=116866

Dragonfly Digiscoped
http://www.albumsnaps.com/?c=photos&pID=116865

Beer bottlecap (shows the closeup focus of the Nikon P1)
http://www.albumsnaps.com/?c=photos&pID=116864&s=3

Greater yellowlegs Digiscoped
http://www.albumsnaps.com/?c=photos&pID=116863

Black-crowned night heron (juvenile) Digiscoped
http://www.albumsnaps.com/?c=photos&pID=116862

Gray-breasted martin Digiscoped
http://www.albumsnaps.com/?c=photos&pID=116861

Crested caracara and Black vulture Digiscoped
http://www.albumsnaps.com/?c=photos&pID=116857

So you don´t get the wrong idea, there were plenty of blurry ones too!
It will be nice to see how this performs with the correct adapter.

Good birding,

David McCauley
Tlacotalpan, Veracruz Mexico
Http://incorrigible-birder.blogspot.com
David, it looks like you are getting along just fine with your new setup. the pictures look great. Very good for a handheld camera. i cant imagine what they will look like with the adapter! are you still pleased with the outfit? would you recommend it? How about the scope used by itself? Cliff

[aplomado2u]

Hi Ron:
I was probably 6 meters from the Black vulture. I use the opctical zoom of the P1 (roughly 36mm to 125mm slr equivalent) the Nikon Fieldscope 82ED has a 30XWA eyepiece.
I can see some definite advantages in the FSB-3 adapter. I hope it gets here soon!
Hi David,

Truly some SHARP pictures,I really like the last three (black vulture)..
What is the distance to the bird,magnification?
Can't wait for pics with the FSB-3,can you? :)

Thanks in advance,

Ron van Rossum

[aplomado2u]

It is really quite simple. I bought a PVC coupling 25mm (I think thats about 1 inch) threaded on one half of the coupling and smooth on the other half of the coupling. I cut the coupling in half. The threaded end is where the camera lens inserts. I sanded the cut part of the coupling, (testing all the while) until I had removed enough pvc for a nice focus. Initally the opening with the threaded part was too loose, so I placed a small piece of electrical tape over the thread so that it would fit without falling off.. (You have to be careful that it is not too tight as it could possibly damage the lens when it retracts.) I still think the "safest" way is to use the adapter FSB-3 that Nikon manufactured specifically for this. (The Celestron 2" universal digital camera adapter will not work)
David could you send a photo of your homemade attachment for this camera.

POP

[aplomado2u]

Cliff:
I am really enjoying this Nikon P1 digiscoping equipment. I am still learning.
The Nikon Fieldscope 82mm ED with 30X eyepiece is a joy! Bright and sharp. I have the angled scope, and after having had a straight scope I like the angled scope better. I would highly recommend this system.
David McCauley
http://incorrigible-birder.blogspot.com
David, it looks like you are getting along just fine with your new setup. the pictures look great. Very good for a handheld camera. i cant imagine what they will look like with the adapter! are you still pleased with the outfit? would you recommend it? How about the scope used by itself? Cliff

[lachlustre]

Hello,

I have just bought a Nikon ED 82 angled scope too, and am thoroughly enjoying the views I am getting. So now, I'm going through the forum looking for suggestions about which camera to get.
I was first attracted to the Nikon P1/3 camera: after all, if everything's made by the same manufacturer then surely everything will work together perfectly, right?
But then I thought about it a bit: Nikon camera designers are unlikely to be planning for digiscoping; Nikon telescopes are made by a subsidiary of Nikon, and are not going to be designed with digiscoping foremost in mind (although I am impressed by Nikon's effort in making a digiscoping web-page). Sure, Nikon makes (expensive) attachment devices, but they don't strike me as that much more elegant than the alternatives (eagleeye, baader). And the p-series cameras don't seem to get the *best* reviews of all compact cameras (canon s80 and fuji f10/11 seem to be current hits).
So here's my question (at last) for people who've tried this: is there a really compelling reason for me to stick with Nikon for my camera?
Thanks for your help,
Rob

[christineredgate]

David,superb shots,esp handheld.Very good indeed.

[aplomado2u]

The photo links below are seven reason that the Nikon P1 digiscoping system works for me. Digiscoping is not an exact science. You have to take LOTS of photos, change your settings, change your zoom,(maybe even the position and angle of your scope) practice,and practice a bit more. Sometimes I will take 50 or more photos of the same subject
You can have a nice little camera and a good scope but if you have some "light weight" tripod, blurry photos are almost a certainty. A good sturdy tripod is essential.
Digiscoping is exciting "stuff", innovation and creativity go "hand in hand" with this process. There are probably any number of scope/camera combinations that would work. For me the Nikon P1 digiscoping system works and I have as of yet to get it all figured out. I have only had this digiscoping setup for 3 weeks now.

(lesser) yellow-headed savannah vulture
http://www.albumsnaps.com/?c=photos&pID=117653&s=3

fork-tailed flycatcher
http://www.albumsnaps.com/?c=photos&pID=117654&s=3

vermilion flycatcher male
http://www.albumsnaps.com/?c=photos&pID=117655&s=3

northern rough-winged swallow
http://www.albumsnaps.com/?c=photos&pID=117656&s=3

tropical kingbird
http://www.albumsnaps.com/?c=photos&pID=117657&s=3

Northern caracara
http://www.albumsnaps.com/?c=photos&pID=117592&s=3

macro Nikon Coolpix P1 Barbedwire
http://www.albumsnaps.com/?c=photos&pID=117658&s=3

Good birding ,
David McCauley

Tlacotalpan, Veracruz, Mexico
http://incorrigible-birder.blogspot.com

[POP]

It is really quite simple. I bought a PVC coupling 25mm (I think thats about 1 inch) threaded on one half of the coupling and smooth on the other half of the coupling. I cut the coupling in half. The threaded end is where the camera lens inserts. I sanded the cut part of the coupling, (testing all the while) until I had removed enough pvc for a nice focus. Initally the opening with the threaded part was too loose, so I placed a small piece of electrical tape over the thread so that it would fit without falling off.. (You have to be careful that it is not too tight as it could possibly damage the lens when it retracts.) I still think the "safest" way is to use the adapter FSB-3 that Nikon manufactured specifically for this. (The Celestron 2" universal digital camera adapter will not work)David many thanks.

POP

[lachlustre]

The photo links below are seven reason that the Nikon P1 digiscoping system works for me. Digiscoping is not an exact science. You have to take LOTS of photos, change your settings, change your zoom,(maybe even the position and angle of your scope) practice,and practice a bit more. Sometimes I will take 50 or more photos of the same subject
You can have a nice little camera and a good scope but if you have some "light weight" tripod, blurry photos are almost a certainty. A good sturdy tripod is essential.
Digiscoping is exciting "stuff", innovation and creativity go "hand in hand" with this process. There are probably any number of scope/camera combinations that would work. For me the Nikon P1 digiscoping system works and I have as of yet to get it all figured out. I have only had this digiscoping setup for 3 weeks now.

Good birding ,
David McCauley

Tlacotalpan, Veracruz, Mexico
http://incorrigible-birder.blogspot.com

Thanks for your reply! And one thing that I neglected to mention in my previous post: your photos are awe-inspiring. I suspect that you are a much more experienced and talented photographer than me, but I'd love to be able to take photos like that (and to have birds like that visible through my scope!!!).

I'm still curious about the right way to decide which camera to pick. Right now, I'm interested in two cameras (Fuji F11, Nikon P4). If I go to the camera store and hand-hold them up to the scope, do you think that will give a fair reflection of how the camera will perform *with* an adapter?

Cheers,
Rob