Camera advice for beginner digiscoper

[cmcphee]

I'm in the market for a digital camera and am hoping to get one I will be able to use for scoping in the near future. I've never tried digiscoping and I don't yet have a scope and so will be purchasing one of those too, though likely not for another year.

I'm looking for something around the cost of the Nikon P1 ($500 Canadian).

The different sites I've visited had me convinced to try to find a Nikon CP 990 or similar but I've not been able to locate one in my area.

Does anyone have any advice on a good all-round camera that will make a good beginner digiscoping camera in the future?

Thanks for your help,

Christine

[Andy Bright]

The Nikon P1 seems to be producing some good results, see this thread http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=53377

The old but popular cameras from Nikon (cp990,995,4500) are no longer in production but there are alternatives, as you will see reading this particular forum.

Unfortunately, good digiscoping cameras do not always make for good all-round cameras, especially if you want to take non-digiscoped wildlife photos... digital cameras with powerful zoom lenses are rarely suitable for digiscoping.

regards,
Andy

[avan]

Hi Christine,
The P1 are good, but if you don't have a nikon scope it can be difficult to attach to other scope. There are no way to attach something, except with a swing away bracket. If you are interested in a cp 990 send me an e-mail.

[cmcphee]

Hi Christine,
The P1 are good, but if you don't have a nikon scope it can be difficult to attach to other scope. There are no way to attach something, except with a swing away bracket. If you are interested in a cp 990 send me an e-mail.

Just to clarify. Does the P1 only work with a Nikon scope? Is there no adaptor which will make it functional with any other brand?

If that is the case, can anyone recommend a more flexible camera option?

[Neil]

Christine ,
If you want something that will slip into your pocket and can also digiscope have a look at some of the Sony's like the W5 and W7. They have adapters too. If you want a serious camera for now that can digiscope later, look at the Nikon CP8400 (if you can still find one ).Neil.

[avan]

If you find a way to attach it to other brand it gonna be a good camera also. The P1 have no thread at the lens and not also at the camera body to put an extension lens tube. It's why it's more simple to see it as a kit with the Nikon scope, FSB bracket and SD eyepiece. the FSB bracket attach via the only thread on the camera: the camera attachment for a tripod. The other alternative it's to find an universal swing away bracket.

[cmcphee]

If you find a way to attach it to other brand it gonna be a good camera also. The P1 have no thread at the lens and not also at the camera body to put an extension lens tube. It's why it's more simple to see it as a kit with the Nikon scope, FSB bracket and SD eyepiece. the FSB bracket attach via the only thread on the camera: the camera attachment for a tripod. The other alternative it's to find an universal swing away bracket.


Thanks to everyone for thier feedback.

My research to date indicates that the features I need to look for are:

Fixed position lense
3-4 megapixels (do more help?)
3-4X optical zoom (not more)
remote shutter release
optional aperture or shutter priority
Full manual mode
Self timer
Short lag-time
Center metering

Is there anything I'm missing, or any of these features that are not that important?

I have also been looking at the Nikon cp 7600 (a little cheaper than P1). Has anyone tried it? Does it have the same issues as P1 interms of using a non-Nikon scope?

Thanks again for any help you can offer.

Christine

[rob lee]

Hi Christine , & also to everyone out there on birdforum (this is my first posting). A camera i have been using for the past month or so now is the sony P200. It has 7.2 megapixels, 3x optical zoom, a carl zeiss lens & most of the other requirements for digiscoping.It is also small & fast in operation plus has good battery life. You can buy a fairly cheap accessory that fits around the camera (part no. Vad-Phc) that gives you a 30mm thread that you can then screw an eagleeye type adapter to,which then enables you to slide the thing onto your scope eyepiece. The whole setup would cost c£260. Prior to this i had a coolpix 4500, which so far i have not regretted selling. This is just my opinion though & no doubt other have plenty of other recommendations.

[digitalbirdy]

The Fufi F11 has stunning optics which produce pin sharp photos when digiscoping and great high ISO capabilities - which means no noise in the photos either. Its a fairly inexpensive camera too.

It may not be the easiest camera to attach to a scope, although I see many manufacturers now supply universal brackets which should do fine. (its alignment thats important)

Comparing it to a semi-pro 8Mp camrea I also have - there is no comparison, the Fuji wins hands down for sharpness and detail and yet its only 6Mp.

- Adrian

[Jeff Chase]

I'm switching to DSLR and selling my Coolpix 990 digiscoping outfit (see"Coolpix 990 Digiscoping Outfit" in the "Classifieds-For Sale or Wanted" forum on this site). All you'd need would be an adapter. The CP990 is a classic, widely used and highly recommended digiscoping camera as you've probably already discovered. Click on my name on the left of this post and send me a private message if you're interested.

Jeff

[bp4468]

Hi Andy

could you please help me out I have a nikon D50 and would very much like to get into digiscoping I have €800-€1000 of a budget.

What Iam looking for is the scope and all the attachments to start of with for my budget.

Thanking you

bp4468