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Nikon eyepiece Q: MC vs. DS (1 Viewer)

J

Jeff B

Well-known member
Is there any downside to getting one of Nikon's "DS" digiscoping-specific eyepieces instead of one of the MC eyepieces for general use? Both types are called "wide-angle." As I understand it the "MC" stands for multi-coated. Are the DS eyepieces NOT multicoated (perhaps for some reason related to photo-specific use?), and does this negatively affect the performance of the eyepiece for general viewing? (Obviously, I know little about scope eyepieces.) I do hope to eventually use the scope for digiscoping, but that's not my primary interest at the moment. I just want to get the best eyepiece now for a new scope. If necessary (i.e., the MC eyepieces are better for general use), I'll get one of them first and the DS one later (if and when I can afford the rest of the digiscoping setup).

Also, my local dealer said some new (30x) Nikon digiscoping eyepiece would be available in June, but it seems that these eyepieces ARE already available online. Do you know if something new is coming, or if in fact this is already old news... ?

I'm also waiting to hear a comparison between the MC and DS eyepieces (although I think that there is currently another thread running on this issue).

Thanks for your response... :flowers:

(I posted this thread yesterday, but it didn't show up online; I'm not sure why.)
 
Hi,
The DS eyepiece are the same as the MC II (Wide) when you look at the spec. The only difference are the longer eye relief (19mm) of the DS. For digiscoping I have try the zoom eyepiece (25X-75X) with my Nikon CP4500, the vignetting disapear a bit below half the camera zoom (yellow flower) setting. With the wide DS it's suppose to come close to no vignetting. I order one, and so let you know when I have try it.
Alain
 
Thanks! I wonder how they manage the greater eye relief if the specs are the same (but this is technically way over my head, probably, so it may be no real mystery). I do like the longer eye relief.

-jb
 
Over mine too. I compare the spec of the swaro 30X WS and the Nikon 30XDS last night, and they look like very close (maybe I'm wrong).

Alain
 
Alain, what scope do you have? Do you like it? I was confused about what to buy recently, but I think I'm going to get the Nikon 82.

-jb
 
Hi,
I recently buy the Nikon 82ED with MCII zoom eyepiece. To be honest the only other one that as tempted me was the swaro STS 80HD, but at double the price I pass on it ( Nikon: $1,600 CDN, Swaro $3,100CDN. It was better but not that much,except the FOV at 20-25X they are both very good at high magnification they are close to equal, the swaro dealing a bit better the heat haze at 60X when I test both. I realy love the Nikon, the image are realy great; bright, neutrality, lots of details. the image are so good I don't realy want to crank the zoom. With a wide angle it can be just lot better.
Alain
 
Thanks for the info. From what I've heard, the Nikon is very good--and, yes, the "premium" brands are much more. I've not yet tried the 82, but I have seen the 60. I got the Pentax 80 for a gift, and it's good optically, but rather large and bulky. I decided that the Nikon 82 would be a good alternative. Also, the Nikon has a much better warranty. The warrenty is important to me, although it is almost never mentioned in reviews (or posts by users). I am waiting for my dealer to get the Nikon in stock, and then I will probably get the new DS eyepiece. -jb
 
The DS eyepiece gonna be more user friendly too if you want to make some digiscoping. I receive the FSA 1,2,3 adapter last night (no ring (CP9XX) for the cp4500, and no DS I order in the same time), and it's not very user friendly with the zoom eyepiece, as it cover all the eyepiece and if you want to birding (Nikon: yes we do both) you have to unscrew the FS2 also to pull out the retractable rubber (I forgot the word in english). The DS eyepiece are built like the FSA 2 part, so you just have to insert the FSA 3 part,tight the screw and take picture.

Alain
 
Like Pes said when it's on the scope you don't whant anything else. The only one thing I don't like it's the eyeguard, too close to the eyepiece, it's only there barely to don't touch the metal of the eyepiece with your face when it's cold. At this regard if you dont do digiscoping the regular MC wide gonna be more friendly with it's retractable eyeguard. For digiscoping it's a dream, with my CP 4500 and the FSA 3 adapter the vignetting it's close to non existant (two very slight dark spot at the bottom of the image). I try the DS this morning in backyard and the view are really superb, it's better at all level compare to the zoom eyepiece, and that a lot because the zoom are very good.
Alain
 
avan said:
Like Pes said when it's on the scope you don't whant anything else. The only one thing I don't like it's the eyeguard, too close to the eyepiece, it's only there barely to don't touch the metal of the eyepiece with your face when it's cold. At this regard if you dont do digiscoping the regular MC wide gonna be more friendly with it's retractable eyeguard. For digiscoping it's a dream, with my CP 4500 and the FSA 3 adapter the vignetting it's close to non existant (two very slight dark spot at the bottom of the image). I try the DS this morning in backyard and the view are really superb, it's better at all level compare to the zoom eyepiece, and that a lot because the zoom are very good.
Alain
Click to expand...

I would be interested to see some images obtained with your setup. I also digiscope with the DS 30x with several cameras. I found the images of good quality, but not to the level I would expect given the superb view it gives.

Merci d'avance ;-)
Pierre
 
Jeff B said:
Alain, I'd like to see some shots also.... -jb
Click to expand...
This is a sample take this week-end. I also have send an other one too in digiscoping accesories (Ds 40/50X). I don"t know how to send more than one at the time, sorry

Alain
 

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This is an other exemple. The quality is less on the site than on my computer, but that give an idea of the quality. Compared to the one take via my old Accuter I have,now more image of better quality, less correction with Photoshop. Also with the DS eyepiece, I find myself using more the middle zoom setting of the camera, that mean sharper image, So i'm happy with the set up.
 

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Hi Jeff,
Yes, I like the nikon, it can give some very nice picture (digiscoping or not). It also have some drawback, like the shuter speed that is too slow and the LCD that is very small, but I use the eagleeyes extend-a-view that help to make a good focus but with a strange pixelized view, In shaded area I better like to use only the LCD. For the FSA adapter it's true and not. Whwn you buy the FSA adapter it come in 3 parts (FSA 1-2-3), with the wide DS eyepiece You only use the FSA 3 and the adapter ring (sold separatly), in my case the FS-CP9XX for the CP4500.
Alain
 
Been away trying my Coolpix 7900 with the Nikon Fieldscope and the DS lens and FSB1 adapter. I bought the set up for disgiscoping and was not disappointed. The only problem is focussing the telescope but that can be sorted before attaching the adapter. However, I was delighted by the quality of the lens for general observations. The weather was good so plenty of light but the 60mm scope performed equally as well as my 82mm Kowa. I have rarely been as pleased by a purchase.
 
I usualy made the focusing with the scope and with the camera on the eyepiece. With the Nikon, you usualy know exactly where the focus it's OK. The must touchy part are when you use the infinty mode with the camera. You can take a bit more picture trying the focus of the scope at different slight touch of the focusing ring.
Alain
 
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