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View Full Version : DSLR vs. Digiscoping Confusion

YellowBudgie
Saturday 4th November 2006, 15:03
I placed a reply to a question that I had that lead me to a bunch more questions.

My post is here:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=70952

Can you guys explain how people are getting such great photo's of birds with a DSLR when the average telephoto lens has much less zoom than the digiscoping way. I assume most people are not purchasing $5,000 to $10,000 lenses.

I'm just curious how people get such nice photos with what I assume is a lens that has much less zoom than I am used to working with, for example 6x to 12x. With my experience at those zoom levels I could not frame a bird or crop a decent photo to print at that zoom. I'm just trying to understand how the DSLR's with their normally less zoom level get great photos. I think I'm not understanding something.

I know the closer to the bird the better but with 3x and a 8x add on lens I can't frame a finch from 12 to 15 feet with the max zoom at 24x. I can almost do it but how would say a $5,000 to $8,000 DSLR setup do the same thing when it's zoom I assume would be less?

I'm trying to decide which way to go. I can do the high quality scope digiscoping now or save for a DSRL option.

Thanks!
Adey Baker
Saturday 4th November 2006, 15:14
I know the closer to the bird the better

You've hit the nail on the head, there. With a digiscoping set-up you're shooting from a birdwatcher's distance but with a DSLR you generally have to 'become' a photographer and work within the best range of the lens that you buy - the shorter the lens the more you have to work at concealment, etc.
YellowBudgie
Saturday 4th November 2006, 23:30
You've hit the nail on the head, there. With a digiscoping set-up you're shooting from a birdwatcher's distance but with a DSLR you generally have to 'become' a photographer and work within the best range of the lens that you buy - the shorter the lens the more you have to work at concealment, etc.

Thanks for clearing that up. I was at my local bird store today and tried out their Swarovski ATS 80. It was the first time I have even looked through a high end spotting scope. I have a low end bushnell. I would be getting the HD version for digiscoping reasons. I really liked the focus section on the scope body, large and easy to operate.

Now comes the big question I have to ask myself, do I get the ATS or the STS :)