Getting Started

[desertman3]

Today my wife and I learned the word "digiscoping".

After several Internet searches we came upon this site. :t:
We plan to spend lots of time in here!

We would like to know if we can mount a scope to our photography equipment and where is the best source for finding more info on the topic.

We use a Canon EOS 20 D.

Thanks for you help.
Steve & Maria
Tucson, Arizona

[g8ina]

Today my wife and I learned the word "digiscoping". After several Internet searches we came upon this site. :t: We plan to spend lots of time in here! We would like to know if we can mount a scope to our photography equipment and where is the best source for finding more info on the topic. We use a Canon EOS 20 D. Thanks for you help.
Steve & Maria
Tucson, Arizona

Welcome first of all (and I got here first ;) )

Is the EOS digital, I'm not familiar with Canons model numbers ?

If it is a DSLR, like my Nikon D70, then you may have to take a slightly different route to the standard digiscopers who can use what we call afocal projection. In this method, you attach the camera, via a step ring arrangement to an eyepiece on a spotting scope.

However, with DSLRs it is a bit more tricky. The lenses we use, generally speaking, have large diameter glass at the front end, and can suffer greatly from vignetting with an eyepiece on a spotting scope (try googling vignetting ;) ), and the camera may also be too heavy for this to work safely.

The other way (and what I use) is prime focus, where instead of attaching the camera via the lens to an eyepiece, you take the lens off, and replace it with the spotting scope, pref one with a long focal length. I use a Revelation 80mm diameter scope, with a focal length of 500mm at f6.2. Fit a T2 mount adaptor in the front of the camera in place of the lens, then an eyepiece adaptor (all available from any decent astronomy / scope shop, like Anacortes), and use the scope just like a manual telephoto lens.

Make sure you also use a BK7 glass blank fitted to the eyepiece adaptor to protect the sensor from falling debris from the scope.

This has its own problems as you will lose auto focus and exposure control...
However, good results can be achieved with patience and good judgement. See my photo site for samples.

Hope this has not overwhelmed you too much !! Have fun, and I'm sure others will be along soon to welcome you too, but a quick intro in the intro section would be spotted quicker.