Will what I have work?

[Draco]

This sounds like a great way for me to get some good shots, but I hate to buy new if I can make what I have work. I've got a Coolpix 2100 and a Nikon RA II with a 10-45 eye piece. If I can use this gear is there an adapter that I can get for them?

I didn't even know about Digiscoping until I found this site a few weeks ago, so I'm clueless.

Thanks,
Mark

[Andy Bright]

Hi Mark,
There's no harm in trying.... though I'm unfamiliar with both parts of the equation here.
Most important aspect is whether the camera has a filter thread on it, or if Nikon supply an add-on lens adapter... which will give you a thread just beyond the lens when it's (the lens) is fully extended from the camera.
An alternative for digiscoping, whether or not it has a filter thread, is a support bracket device which just holds the camera up to the scope's eyepiece... you just need a tripod socket on the underside of the camera.
Is it a 10-45x eyepiece? I know Nikon have a 15-45x for the RAII. Nikon make their own digiscoping adapters that work on the 15-45x eyepiece, but not sure if the cp2100 is supported by this system.
Andy

[Draco]

You are correct, it's a 15-45X eyepiece. I was going on memory.

I need to check the camera tonight. From what you have told me I should hope for threads on the extended lens. I'll check the Nikon Web site to see if I can find any additional info there.

Mark

[Draco]

By chance, I just bought the cp2100. The lens is not threaded, so I called the place that I bought it from. They will credit me toward a cp4300. Now, what adapter do I need to hook up to the 15-45X RA II spotting scope? Nikons Web site does not seem to help much.

Thanks in advance,
Mark

[PhilM]

This place may be able to help you, but their in the UK.
http://www.digiscoping.co.uk
Look under adapters.

[Andy Bright]

Nikon's own digiscoping adapters aren't too well known amongst Nikon dealers..... very specialised product.
You'll need the Nikon parts SSA-1, SSA-2 and S-Zoom for the 15-45x eyepiece..... you will also need S-CP4300 (though I'd check on this, if you can!) My own Nikon digiscoping leaflet was printed before the cp4300 was available, so makes no mention of it.... but it does mention the cp885 which has a similar lens.

If you want to use another tube type digiscoping adapter (not sure if there are any for Nikon 15-45x?), you will need the Nikon ur-e4 accessory adapter..... this will give you a 28mm thread in front of the lens to put an adapter on (or add-on teleconverter)
Andy

[Draco]

into frustration! Nikon digital camera support said that I'd have to talk to their scope people who don't work weekends. I got through to a scope techie today who must have had a bad weekend. He was actually quite nasty, telling me that I would have to call my spotting scope a field scope because they "don't use that nomenclature anymore". I don't care if they call them a big magnifying glass. I just want answers.

So, now that I've spent $500.00 on a nice camera from a company that I'm starting to dislike it looks like I'm going to have to build a home made adapter for the 15-45X eyepiece. At least that's what the grumpy young man at Nikon says. According to him Nikon doesn't make anything that I need to fit the eyepiece.

The UR-E4 adapter is in stock at a local camera shop. I am handy, but can't permanently attach anything to the scope eyepiece. I haven't found anything on various digiscoping Web sites that mention my Nikon eyepiece. Suggestions?

Mark

[Draco]

Well, since I didn’t get a complete “parts list” here I did my own scouting. This is quite confusing when someone just stumbles into it. After spending several hours studying different Web sites and talking to people in the camera business I think that I have what I need to get started (or, will have as soon as it is all delivered).

The cp2100 had to go and Circuit City only had the cp4300 to upgrade to so my initial +/- $300.00 turned into about $520.00. The 28mm cp4300 UR-E4 adapter was dirt cheap – just another $10.00. Of course I had the scope and tripod, so that just needed another adapter. I chose the 2Plus LE-Adapter – another $175.00 delivered. Everything that I read indicated that I should have a remote shutter release. Nikon sells a nice one for the cp4300 for $99.99.

I hope that I like digiscoping!!!

[stevo]

Hope you get some nice photos with your new setup.