Advice Needed Please

[Londontel]

I have recently started using my Sony Cybershot camera with my Swarovski 80 scope. The scope is fitted with a 20-60 zoom. At this time all I do is hold the camera to the eyepiece and shhot. Very basic! I have had some reasonable pics. My question is this; the camera has a 3x optical zoom. Am I best using the zoom on the camera or the zoom on the scope. I have found if I use the camera zoom it gets rid of the dark 'halo' around the edges.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks
Terry

[Jaff]

I have recently started using my Sony Cybershot camera with my Swarovski 80 scope. The scope is fitted with a 20-60 zoom. At this time all I do is hold the camera to the eyepiece and shhot. Very basic! I have had some reasonable pics. My question is this; the camera has a 3x optical zoom. Am I best using the zoom on the camera or the zoom on the scope. I have found if I use the camera zoom it gets rid of the dark 'halo' around the edges.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks
Terry

The term given to the halo is vignetting and it is standard technique to zoom in with the camera to get rid of it. Always stick to 20x on the zoom for best results. Stick some photos on so we can see how your getting on.

Hope this helps.
Jaff

[Londontel]

The term given to the halo is vignetting and it is standard technique to zoom in with the camera to get rid of it. Always stick to 20x on the zoom for best results. Stick some photos on so we can see how your getting on.

Hope this helps.
Jaff
Thanks Jaff
Would love to put some stuff on that I have taken and gain your opinion. Without coming accross as a complete 'Ludite' would I upload them here and how do I go about that please. I have tried to upload here and it says my picture is too big.
Terry

[Londontel]

The term given to the halo is vignetting and it is standard technique to zoom in with the camera to get rid of it. Always stick to 20x on the zoom for best results. Stick some photos on so we can see how your getting on.

Hope this helps.
Jaff


Hi Jaff
Tried to upload again and this is the messsage I am getting

File Too Large. Limits are 800 x 800. Your file is 1531 x 1727

How do I reduce the file size please.

Thanks
Terry

[Jaff]

No problem Terry,

To resize a pic you'll need some photo-editing software, most people on here use Adobe Photoshop but I'm guessing you don't have that as you have to buy it. Not to worry if you have Microsoft photo editor that can do the same thing (although does not have nearly as many features) and it comes with Microsoft Office if you've got that.

Then you use it to open your pic and under image you'll see resize, but make sure you select the pixels to resize it as when I just opened it up now the default seemed to be physical dimensions in cm. Resize it so that no one dimension is more than 800 pixels and you should be fine

If I may make another observation also. If 1531 x 1727 was the size that came off your camera then it seems quite small. It's best to set the photo size on your camera to its maximum dimensions and highest quality setting too.

Hope this isn't too much to take in at once.
Jaff

[Londontel]

No problem Terry,

To resize a pic you'll need some photo-editing software, most people on here use Adobe Photoshop but I'm guessing you don't have that as you have to buy it. Not to worry if you have Microsoft photo editor that can do the same thing (although does not have nearly as many features) and it comes with Microsoft Office if you've got that.

Then you use it to open your pic and under image you'll see resize, but make sure you select the pixels to resize it as when I just opened it up now the default seemed to be physical dimensions in cm. Resize it so that no one dimension is more than 800 pixels and you should be fine

If I may make another observation also. If 1531 x 1727 was the size that came off your camera then it seems quite small. It's best to set the photo size on your camera to its maximum dimensions and highest quality setting too.

Hope this isn't too much to take in at once.
Jaff

Hi Jaff
I am now using a system called 'PhotoFiltre' which I have downloaded from the internet. I attach a picture of a Collared Dove taken from inside my front room whilst it was on my feeder. This is through my scope with my camera against the eyepice.
Sorry it's taken so long but technology is not my strong suite. I would be interested in your opinion.

Thanks
Terry

[Jaff]

Well I see nothing wrong here!
The pic is sharp and I'm guessing you haven't added any sharpening on the computer as by your own admission you may not even know how to. I'd have to say whatever your doing, keep on doing it!

Look forward to maybe seeing some shots in the gallery Terry.
Jaff

[Benderloch]

I agree with Jaff! Good pic. I suggest you experiment with the zoom on the 'scope as well. There may be times when you need x30 or more, just to get a 'record shot' I have seen a good owl image posted that was taken at x60 on a Zeiss 'scope, so it is possible to get good images. I recently took some long range pics at x40 and discovered that I had photographed some Ruff without knowing it at the time! They were a new 'tick' for me. You just have to keep trying different combinations of camera zoom and 'scope zoom. The best advice I can give is to set up on some fixed target and write down the settings for each shot. Then you can decide what works best for your equipment. You've got some good kit and together they are capable of producing very good results. Good luck.

[wetlands_wedge]

Nice one!

[wetlandsleon]

Good one mate!
Didn't take you long to master that!

[Londontel]

Well I see nothing wrong here!
The pic is sharp and I'm guessing you haven't added any sharpening on the computer as by your own admission you may not even know how to. I'd have to say whatever your doing, keep on doing it!

Look forward to maybe seeing some shots in the gallery Terry.
Jaff

Thanks to everyone that gave advice and encouragement. Spurred on by your comments I have posted the Collared Dove on the Gallery. The first of many.

Terry

[michaelmacey]

Hi Jaff
Tried to upload again and this is the messsage I am getting

File Too Large. Limits are 800 x 800. Your file is 1531 x 1727

How do I reduce the file size please.

Thanks
Terry

Im a techno idiot, but i can help here, register free to photobucket .com and when you upload your images in the album you can change the size of image as it uploads. The 15" screen image is 800x600, which will fit the site, here are my first attempts at digiscoping earlier today, i need a lot of advice Mick

ps It seems the biggest mistake i made was trying to snap birds up to 200 yards away on 60x mag,, we'll learn

[Londontel]

Im a techno idiot, but i can help here, register free to photobucket .com and when you upload your images in the album you can change the size of image as it uploads. The 15" screen image is 800x600, which will fit the site, here are my first attempts at digiscoping earlier today, i need a lot of advice Mick

ps It seems the biggest mistake i made was trying to snap birds up to 200 yards away on 60x mag,, we'll learn

Hiya
It's nice to know there are others out there who are the same as me when it comes to the techy bits. I too did the full zoom bit and had similar results. I must admit I have been biten by the digiscoping bug though and have put my first pictures on the members gallery. The advice I got on here was and is great. I already have my next question in mind which I will put on a different thread. Hope to see loads more of your photos on here and in the gallery. It's comforting to know I am not the only novice.

Terry