Half price scope

[poledark]

Is this a bargain?

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/?/binsandscopes/spotting_scopes/kenko.html

Den

[Henry B]

Looks a good starter scopes at that price.

[richardwp]

It is a bargain at that price Den. I had one, bought as a mail order package with zoom and 20xw lenses, stay-on case and tripod from Ace Optics of Bath, see http://www.acecameras.co.uk/asp/web/ph/cat/prodtype/1082/prodtype.asp. I was very pleased with it until it was stolen from my car, but I did find the fixed 20xw lens was much better than the zoom. Another option is In Focus's Delta 70 scope which is the same Kenko scope rebadged and adapted to take (better) Opticron lenses, see http://www.at-infocus.co.uk/reviews_scopes.html. They do a good package too and, again, if you can, I'd opt for one of the fixed lenses, probably no more than 30x. If you should get the Kenko scope from Ace or can persuade Warehouse Express to give you a fixed focus lens rather than the zoom, I can let you have my spare Kenko zoom lens (which wasn't nicked with the scope) for a fiver including P&P as I replaced/upgraded mine with an Opticron ES 80 GA ED.

[poledark]

Thanks Henry and Rich. I have gone for the 80mm model, hoping it will "give me more light"

I intend to use it with an HD video camera, which I have been testing out on a very poor Tasco scope. It gives me pretty good images at 20x, but over that the image degrades badly due to low light.

Should arrive this morning, so out to the workshop to make an adaptor........................

Den

[richardwp]

Looking at the 80mm model's improved spec, you should be pleased with it at that price. I had the 70mm. Especially for digiscoping though, I still think you'll find a fixed lens better than the zoom. I used to live near Canterbury, for 30 years at Birchington and later Ospringe, and still visit regularly to friends in Bekesbourne. Check out Oare Marshes, Stodmarsh and the sea wall between Minnis Bay and Reculver with your new scope. Great birding sites.
My Kenko zoom lens is still on offer to anyone who wants one for a fiver as it's no use to me now.

[poledark]

Looking at the 80mm model's improved spec, you should be pleased with it at that price. I had the 70mm. Especially for digiscoping though, I still think you'll find a fixed lens better than the zoom. I used to live near Canterbury, for 30 years at Birchington and later Ospringe, and still visit regularly to friends in Bekesbourne. Check out Oare Marshes, Stodmarsh and the sea wall between Minnis Bay and Reculver with your new scope. Great birding sites.
My Kenko zoom lens is still on offer to anyone who wants one for a fiver as it's no use to me now.

Cheers Richard, scope arrived, I rushed out to workshop and skimmed a bit off my camera adaptor............lovely smooth sliding fit on eyepiece.

Light is awful, misty and grey, but I got a GOOD image at 50 yards at 20x on scope and 5/6x on my video camera.

A circular image with camera on wide angle, but at 5x there is almost no vignetting. I can live with a bit anyway.

Oare is where I will be soon, I am off to the States on monday and may(?) get a shot of a bear.

Just for the record, a couple of years ago I spotted a Bittern a few times on my local patch, and subsequentially got some pics, one is in the gallery. It didn't stay long, but on wednesday (yesterday) one appeared, landed on the carpark by the lake, and then flew into the reedy swamp.

Question is...do I cancel the USA trip? o:)o:)

thanks again,
Den