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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

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  1. stevetb

    Sub £200 decent 8X binos?

    Hi, I was wondering if anyone could recommend some decent 8x (32 or 42mm) binoculars for under £200? I don't mind looking at secondhand stuff. I would like the bins to be waterproof with a wide field of view though. I haven't got a problem with porro prisms, provided the bins aren't massive...
  2. stevetb

    Got a non-waterproof scope?

    Hi, I finally got round to having my little Kowa scope (ts 614) fixed this week, with a view to using it on a lightweight tripod for those times when a large scope is inconvenient. I must say that whilst it’s not the same as my Swaro, the Kowa still offers a very nice, sharp image. Anyway...
  3. stevetb

    Lizard for I.D

    Hi, Whilst out today at Titchfield Haven, I stopped on a concrete wall outside the reserve to scan a tern flock on the beach - and was approached by this lizard. I was told common lizards are regular in the nearby nature reserve - but this one would have had to cross a road and travel across...
  4. stevetb

    Speckled wood shock

    In between the showers today, I managed to get some shots of an obliging speckled wood (?) in the garden. However, I was completely shocked when some sort of wasp or bee flew at the butterfly at great speed, snatched it, and went tumbling down into the bush! I could hear a lot of buzzing...
  5. stevetb

    Very interesting website...

    Here's something I stumbled upon recently: http://www.songbird-survival.org.uk/ What they are saying disagrees strongly with RSPB research and what I have read on here. What do you reckon?
  6. stevetb

    Skomer little owls?

    Hi, I've seen a few pictures of little owls on Skomer Island - does anyone know whereabouts on the island there could be a chance of seeing one? Thanks very much, Steve.
  7. stevetb

    40d battery life and replacements.

    Hi, I'm going to skomer next week, and only have 1 battery for my 40d. Is this likely to last me for the whole trip on skomer (obviously I can recharge it overnight)? I think the boat leaves @ 10 and returns @ 4. I would buy some spares from 7dayshop, but they won't get here for monday because...
  8. stevetb

    Which Gigrin Hide?

    Hi, I'm making a trip to wales soon, and Gigrin is on my list. I know that there are special photography hides, but have heard from some people that they aren't worth the extra money. I was wondering if I could get a general concensus on which hide is the best for photos? Oh, and if anyone has...
  9. stevetb

    Sigma 150mm or Canon 70-200 f/4?

    Hi everyone, I've got some money saved up, and would like a new lens. At the moment, I've got the sigma 17-70mm, which is a great little wide angle/standard jobbie, and the canon 400mm f/5.6L. I kinda need something to fill the gap, but at the same time, I really would like a macro lens! The...
  10. stevetb

    Lesser or Mealy? Hants, UK.

    Hi, I've been looking through images I have taken of redpolls recently, and this one does look very frosty. For some reason though, it just doesn't seem right for a mealy to me - what do you think? Cheers!
  11. stevetb

    Compact adapter?

    Hi everyone, I've used a Baader type adapter before, and whilst it worked, it was bulky. I was wondering if there was anything more compact and similarly priced for a camera without a thread? I'd like to attach it to my Swaro AT80HD w/zoom. Thanks very much, Steve.
  12. stevetb

    Seen this review chart?

    Hi, I came across this PDF in a google search, and haven't seen it posted before. Not a great deal of info on it, but useful nonetheless: http://www.livingbird.org/netcommunity/bbimages/lb/pdf/ScopeChart2008.pdf Interesting that they rate the Opticron ES80 just 0.1 point under the zeiss 85!
  13. stevetb

    Tripod confusion!

    Hi, I'm finally getting a new scope, and now am in need of a new tripod. Up until now, I have been using a little velbon travel tripod, as my old sherpa broke, which wasnt too pleasing. Basically my specs are: 2kg ish or less Sturdy enough High enough to be used standing with an angled scope...
  14. stevetb

    Battery Compatibility?

    Does anyone know if the 400D uses the same batteries as the 300D/30D/40D ? I wanted to order these, but it doesnt state the 400D: http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_3&products_id=100915 Cheers.
  15. stevetb

    Upgrading Scope - Ideas please

    Hello, For the past year and a half I have been very happy with my Kowa Ts614, with one of the TSN 30X eyepieces, and I cannot fault the image for the price. However, I would really like something that is waterproof! I go out in any weather, and not having my scope with me, or having to put it...
  16. stevetb

    400mm f/5.6 - worth it?

    Hi, At the moment I have a Sigma 135-400 for my 400D, and it is a great lens, pretty sharp for ~£200. But I am starting to see limitations, and I would like perhaps a bit more detail in my pictures and for them to snap into focus a bit quicker. My question then, regards whether or not I would...
  17. stevetb

    Macro lens help please.

    Hi, Im thinking of buying a macro lens (for a 400D), and am not sure what I need. I would like to take detailed close ups of both plants and animals. I have ~£300 to spend, so was thinking a 2nd sigma 180? But is this too long? Do I need a tripod and flash? Thanks if you can help!
  18. stevetb

    Another ED50 question

    Hi Im contemplating buying an ED50, to reduce the amount of weight I carry. One thing thats bothering me is the waterproofing. I want a scope I can use in the rain, but is the ED50's protection adequate and are the eyepieces sealed? Also, I've heard loads of good stuff about this scope, but how...
  19. stevetb

    Birding by bike?

    I would like to get into birding by bike a bit more now, and was wondering if anyone has any tips, particularly on how to carry a scope and tripod ( as this is pretty essential for my main patches ), and if this is possible without a rack. Hopefully someone can help! Thanks very much...
  20. stevetb

    Manfrotto 718 + Velbon Ultra Maxi ?

    Hi, I have been looking into a portable, compact, relatively lightweight pod, and have found the Velbon Ultra Maxi F and the Manfrotto 718 B. I need a tripod for putting in my rucksack while cycling or on long walks, and this wont be used as my main tripod. The former can be had for about £50...
  21. stevetb

    Ring perch feeders?

    Are those feeding ports with the circular perches worth the extra money? I.E do the birds actually benefit, and does it allow birds that might not have been able to perch on a traditional feeder to do so? Thanks Steve
  22. stevetb

    Half decent compact pod?

    My Velbon sherpa 450 broke earlier this year, I got it temporarily fixed, but want to get a new one soon. Is there a half decent, inexpensive (ie. same sort of stability/price of the sherpa) tripod that closes down enough to fit in an average sized rucksack? I.E 40cm ish? The only other specs...
  23. stevetb

    Shearwater? South coast UK 4/11/07

    I was having my lunch today when two herring gull sized birds with large wingspans flew past. They were brown in colour, and had white on the underwing. I grabbed my cam, but wasnt quick enough and only managed some crappy shots. There are shearwaters occassionally around here, but these were...
  24. stevetb

    Hobby Vs Peregrine New forest, UK

    I assumed this was a peregrine down to size and wing/tail shape, but now that someone has told me it was a hobby, im not so sure.... Isn't it a bit late for a hobby? This was taken today, in the new forest, southern england. It was flying around heathland. Although hobbies frequent the forest...
  25. stevetb

    Short lens for landscapes/general purpose/portraits?

    I was wondering what is the best lens under £100 as a general purpose walkaround lens, which can be used for landscapes, and that sort of thing? I'd like to have a good close focus and preferably a zoom of around 20-60mm ish. It is for a canon 400d. Any suggestions? Cheers, steve. :t:
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