YellowBudgie
Thursday 4th May 2006, 16:06
Hello,
I'm not sure how much I will get into digiscoping as a hobby. I don't know if I will end up driving to locations to sit and take photos of wildlife or just take photos of birds from my yard and stop when I get the pictures I want. So I don't want to buy a Swarovski as my first photography scope.
My Kodak DX6440 takes good photos that I'm happy with and I plan to upgrade to a more advanced digiscoping camera at some point after the scope upgrade.
I own a Bushnell Sportview 12-36 X 50mm spotting scope. It's fine for viewing but it's 50mm objective lens is limiting as well as the way I have to attach the camera to it. The camera connects via a ScopeTronix with white plastic screws. The camera connects to the scopes zoom feature. So I have to find my zoom level and then tape it so the camera wont turn the zoom knob.
I'm thinking about getting a new spotting scope. I don't want to buy high end because I may not end up using it enough to justify the cost.
Can anyone suggest mid level spotting scope options and if an option of the scope what eyepiece would be good? I consider low level my current $100 Bushnell. I consider high level the Swarovski's for $1200 and up.
I'm hoping to spend in the $300 to $500 range. I'm looking for a brand popular enough where there will be a good selection of attachments to connect to my current and future camera. I don't know what the future camera will be. I'm hoping for a 80mm objective lens if possible or 60/65mm if it's been known to be a decent scope. Zoom optics 12x to 36x or similar should be plenty.
If there are too many choices could you tell me what brands to look at and what brands to stay away from or what works good for you?
Does the changable eyepiece optics change the zoom level or are some physically bigger in diameter in turn may match the camera lens better?
Thanks!
YellowBudgie
I'm not sure how much I will get into digiscoping as a hobby. I don't know if I will end up driving to locations to sit and take photos of wildlife or just take photos of birds from my yard and stop when I get the pictures I want. So I don't want to buy a Swarovski as my first photography scope.
My Kodak DX6440 takes good photos that I'm happy with and I plan to upgrade to a more advanced digiscoping camera at some point after the scope upgrade.
I own a Bushnell Sportview 12-36 X 50mm spotting scope. It's fine for viewing but it's 50mm objective lens is limiting as well as the way I have to attach the camera to it. The camera connects via a ScopeTronix with white plastic screws. The camera connects to the scopes zoom feature. So I have to find my zoom level and then tape it so the camera wont turn the zoom knob.
I'm thinking about getting a new spotting scope. I don't want to buy high end because I may not end up using it enough to justify the cost.
Can anyone suggest mid level spotting scope options and if an option of the scope what eyepiece would be good? I consider low level my current $100 Bushnell. I consider high level the Swarovski's for $1200 and up.
I'm hoping to spend in the $300 to $500 range. I'm looking for a brand popular enough where there will be a good selection of attachments to connect to my current and future camera. I don't know what the future camera will be. I'm hoping for a 80mm objective lens if possible or 60/65mm if it's been known to be a decent scope. Zoom optics 12x to 36x or similar should be plenty.
If there are too many choices could you tell me what brands to look at and what brands to stay away from or what works good for you?
Does the changable eyepiece optics change the zoom level or are some physically bigger in diameter in turn may match the camera lens better?
Thanks!
YellowBudgie