Hi All and a question

[Woody]

Hi All, I'm new here and also new to digiscoping.
I've read as much as I can here about scopes and eyepieces etc suitable for digiscoping but I'm still in two minds. I have found this scope and wondered if anyone knew anything about it? http://www.obm.co.uk/products/db/m80-2060t.htm
It seems like a good deal to me as I don't have a scope (yet) but I'm wary as I've not seen it mentioned here or anywhere else for that matter. Should I go for this option or should I save and wait to get a different make? The type of pics I'm hoping to get don't have to be of publishable quality as I'm more interested in catching natural poses and behaviors as reference for paintings.
Any help or advice would be appreciated,
Thanks in advance
Woody

[John N]

Hi woody. Welcome to the best site on the internet. Sorry I cannot answer your question on the scope, but somebody will. You are certainly at the right place to get help. Everyone is really friendly.Look forward to seeing your photo's one day. Cheers John. B (: B (: B (:

[digi-birder]

Woody,

On behalf of admin and all the moderators, welcome to Bird Forum.

As John says, you have come to the right place for some help on this question. I can't help you either I'm afraid. I've heard the name, but I thought they were something to do with camera lenses.

My advice would be to try a few scopes, along with your camera if you have one, and see which you prefer.

[Woody]

Thanks for the welcome guys.

I have just got myself a Nikon Coolpix 990 (yesterday) and I'm keen to get 'digiscope down and dirty' having been interested for a long while, but alas, no scope (and not a lot of money either) I have got a very small (25x30) opticron pocket telescope which, I know, is totally unsuitable but just to see what would happen I held the camera against the end and pushed the button. Lo and behold, I had a blurred but recognisable pic! Now I really can't wait to get started!

Woody

[Tannin]

Go for it, Woody!

[Richard Ford]

Hi Woody welcome to the Forum

If you are not interested in really good quality pictures then any scope will do you.
Though bear in mind that you will not get an adapter for many of the more obscure makes.
Personally I would not go for the scope you suggest, It may well be fine just to look through but when you start to take photos through it you may notice poor quality with lots of chromatic faults, purple fringing etc.

I have not used this scope personally, (it may be fine) but this make in my opinion is at the bottom end of the scale. If you have this kind of Money to spend, get yourself a more reliable make of scope such as a Kowa, you may not get an 80mm but I doubt you will regret it.
You will probably pick up a good second hand scope, which is better than this, and cheaper.
Try a site like ACECameras.co.uk


If you can Woody, go to a shop that will allow you to look through and compare different scopes, you could even hold the camera up to the lens to ensure you get one that is appropriate for your needs. If you can, go to the Birdfair.

I hope that helps

Rich


BTW, you have what some people consider to be the best Digiscoping camera ever. Good luck.

[Andrew]

:hi: Woody and welcome to a smashing site and sorry can help with that scope, never heard of them myself. However the design does seem familar to an Opticron so I wonder if they made them for someone else?

[Woody]

Hi Rich,
I was afraid somebody might say something like that, the Kowa 80mm scopes have featured quite a lot in my musings so maybe thats the way I'll go, I just can't make up my mind what to do at the moment.
Thanks for your input

Woody

[Woody]

Hi Andrew,

that thought had occured to me too, although I suspected that it might be a Kowa masquerading under a different badge? Do optical manufacturers do that type of thing?

Woody

[gary_2503]

Try warehouseexpress.com they have great deals on all scopes and prices are very competitive. I bought the Kowa TSN-823M and picture quality is great. Also camera attachments are very easy to find for kowa scopes on sites such as swoptics.co.uk

[pauco]

hi woody and welcome to BF the best birding site. for that
amount of money go and look at the opticron range + eyepieces.
there area some good deals to be had, good look and better
birding.
bert.

[Andy Bright]

Hi Woody,
Yes, they do say it's based upon the design of the Kowa TSN (presumably the old TSN1/2/3/4 scopes). I'd doubt whether the actual optics are the same as the TSN1/2/... obviously it's not a fluorite version.
I'd seriously consider looking out for a secondhand scope... ideally a Kowa TSN3/4 or TSN823/824. You can pick these up for around £400 and they'll really allow some excellent digiscoped shots. There's plenty of photos on my website taken with the old Kowa tsn4.
Andy

[gary_2503]

at Warehouse Express (http://www.warehouseexpress.com/) you can get the TSN-823M,a stay on cover, a tripod and a choice of the 32x/50x/20x-60x/ lens all for under £1,300. There are also great payment options and delivery is quick and easy

[stevo]

Hi Woody

Try one the branches of London camera exchange near you,they often have 2nd scopes.

Regards Stevo.

[Woody]

Thanks for all the info and advice everyone.
I will probably wait and go for a Kowa but in the meantime I have another couple of queries which you may be able to help clear up.

For the purposes of digiscoping is 'long eye relief' an advantage or disadvantage?

What are the advantages/disadvatages of large or small 'exit pupil diameter' measurements?

Thanks in advance again
Woody