Anyone using a Dimage 7i?

[shaund]

Has anyone got any experience of joining up a 7i to a spotting scope?

I haven't as yet got a scope because I primarily want to buy something that will work with the camera.

What adapters do you use? Is vignetting a problem?

How much would i expect to pay for a scope that would give me variable zoom, adapters and mounts?

Would I be right in thinking that the large lens is going to cause me problems unless I get something with a very large eyepiece?

Shaun

[Andy Bright]

Hi Shaun, on behalf of all the moderators and admin, welcome to Bird Forum.net.
I'm afraid the Dimage 7i is largely unsuitable for digiscoping no matter what you get, vignetting is very bad on standard eyepieces and I've heard that it's still bad on specialised digiscoping eyepieces.
Andy

[normjackson]

Shaun, there's an interesting (well I thought so) discussion of vignetting issues at :

www.jayandwanda.com/digiscope/vignette/vignetting.html

I see some people are now successfully using fairly unpromising cameras (from digiscoping point of view) with astro scopes with 50mm or so eyepieces (to provide sufficient eye relief) and 2" focussers (so as not to lose field of view with these eyepieces).
William Optics do such an eyepiece which they advertise as being designed for digiscoping with such cameras. See:

www.william-optics.com/accessory/dcl52.htm

This MAY sometime be available via AceCameras.co.uk who sell the DCL-28 or direct if you are determined to go this route.

In your shoes, though, I'd be more than happy to go with the advice of Andy Bright. There's no substitute for experience; but, hey, why not use someone else's if they're so generous as to pass on their hard-won lessons?

Cheers to all.

[Andy Bright]

I have heard about a new even larger version of the Maxview 40 that may be an improvement.
The big problem with these low vignetting astro eyepieces is that most birders won't be interested in giving up their favourite eyepiece for these. I think if digiscoping/photography is more of a priority than birding, then these may be a good option.
Andy

[rka]

Yes. The Maxview II 2" eyepiece from Scopetronix (the big brother of the Maxview 40) has been advertised as compatible with many cameras such as C2100, E100-RS etc.

Haven't seen any reviews though.

rka