Digiscoping advice needed

[Reader]

I currently own a Pentax SLR but I have developed a fault with it that meant that I lost every single photo I took in Greece, and that was nearly 200 photos in all. I am thinking of replacing it with a Digital system but I am not sure what to buy.

My scope is a KOWA 823 (straight lens) and I am torn between a Camera and a Camcorder. I have been told that there are camcorders on the market that can take stills. Is this true? If so what would the quality be like.

Costs. What would be the cost of such equipment and can it be purchased 2nd hand. If that is possible what would the costs be and where would I go to buy such equipment.

I don't earn very much money and must admit to spending what I save on holidays abroad so I have to be a bit careful and buy the right stuff at the right price.

What equipment would you recommend and what system (Camera or camcorder). I look forward to some input from the experts. Fire away experts!!!

Regards
John J

[Andy Bright]

Hi John, I just replied to you on another thread... but I'll repost here (seems like a good place for it).
The Kowa 823 is a very good scope for digiscoping. You will have to decide on what you require as an end result, quality prints will only be available from a digital still camera.
A miniDV camcorder will provide still images suitable for web and monitor viewing (maybe very small prints), and obviously moving footage that allows you to view the bird's behaviour and i.d. help from more angles.

The benefits of a still camera is their small size and low weight, the Nikon cp4500 will easily fit in a pocket and weighs about 350gm. A digital still camera suitable for digiscoping will cost about £500 for a Nikon cp4500, secondhand Nikon cp990 or cp995 will be £300'ish. If you wish to see the quality available from digiscoping, send me your address via e-mail and I'll post a couple of prints off to you.
Regards,
Andy B

[June Atkinson]

Hi John, I just replied to you on another thread... but I'll repost here (seems like a good place for it).
The Kowa 823 is a very good scope for digiscoping. You will have to decide on what you require as an end result, quality prints will only be available from a digital still camera.
A miniDV camcorder will provide still images suitable for web and monitor viewing (maybe very small prints), and obviously moving footage that allows you to view the bird's behaviour and i.d. help from more angles.

The benefits of a still camera is their small size and low weight, the Nikon cp4500 will easily fit in a pocket and weighs about 350gm. A digital still camera suitable for digiscoping will cost about £500 for a Nikon cp4500, secondhand Nikon cp990 or cp995 will be £300'ish. If you wish to see the quality available from digiscoping, send me your address via e-mail and I'll post a couple of prints off to you.
Regards,
Andy B

I have just had a look at Google Picasa, and thought it would be very useful for all my images. But when I looked closely I found this:

System Requirements

Microsoft Windows 2000/XP
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0+

As I am - still - on Win 98 and Explorer 5, it sounds as though I can't make use of it. Is this correct?

[Mickymouse]

Hi June, I used to use Picasa on Win98 no problem at all, try it. I am now using it on Linux and it is working OK though to be honest I only ever used it for keeping track of my backups.
Sorry for high jacking your thread John.

Mick