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

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  1. J

    Stonechat with

    Looks like it, thanks Daniel!
  2. J

    Stonechat with

    I've been trying to track down the rings on this Stonechat I saw this afternoon at Gill Mill Quarry near Witney in Oxfordshire. Left tarsus: White ring with A0 in black Right tarsus: Red ring above a metal one (From my photos I can only make out three digits of the code - A…P…6) I've been...
  3. J

    New ATC/ STC 17-40x56 Telescope

    I've finally solved my loosening issues with a PGYTech QR plate (this was suggested by someone in another thread). This has been absolutely rock solid for me. I can finally take it out and enjoy using it without worrying about it.
  4. J

    New ATC/ STC 17-40x56 Telescope

    Great advice thank you! It’s not something I’d thought about before, but makes sense, and it feels much sturdier.
  5. J

    New ATC/ STC 17-40x56 Telescope

    Same here - i don’t remember my old TSN-1 having as small a foot as this though. I don’t know if the circular (rather than rectangular) shape doesn’t help. There’s just not a lot for it to grip to. I’m having another go with a different quick release plate - one with more gripping pads, and...
  6. J

    New ATC/ STC 17-40x56 Telescope

    Now that I’ve had a chance to compare the ATC to my Opticron MM4 60, I have to agree with all the comments about the lack of anti-rotation pin. No matter how tight I thought I’d got it, it came loose really easily. I could’ve used some thread lock paste I guess, but at the asking price, I...
  7. J

    Using a hide clamp with triangular central column?

    Just to clarify, I currently do this already, but wondered if anyone had got it working with a triangular shaped central column. I can experiment, but if some one has already 'been there, done that' they might have some wisdom to share...
  8. J

    Using a hide clamp with triangular central column?

    Yep, that's exactly what I'm intending. I do it with my current tripods, so that when I'm in a hide with a suitable shelf, I take the central column out of the tripod and put it into the Velbon hide clamp. I find it easier to work with in most hides than trying to arrange my tripod around the...
  9. J

    Using a hide clamp with triangular central column?

    I'm considering a carbon fibre tripod that has a triangular central column, but currently use a Velbon hide clamp. The clamp came with various plastic inserts to use on different diameter central columns, but obviously doesn't come with a triangular insert. Has anyone either found such a thing...
  10. J

    Opticron MM4 or Other Spotting Scope Purchase Advice Please

    The MM4 surprised me with how good it is. I was trying to decide between either an Alpha scope or a compact, lightweight scope last year to replace my old heavy Leica. I compared the MM40 with SDLv3 eyepiece with the Kowa 553 and Swarovski ATX 80 at the other end of the scale. The Swarovski was...
  11. J

    Need advice on a new scope, tripod & camera setup

    After much deliberation I've gone for an Opticron MM4 GA ED 60 + SDL 3 eyepiece with a Manfrotto Befree tripod. Super light and easy to carry setup, and really happy with the quality of the Opticron for the size/price. I really wanted to keep the Swarovski ATX 85, but the weight was just too...
  12. J

    Canon EOS M6 with Swarovski TLS APO - needs two adapters?

    Replying to my own question - in case anyone is in the same boat. Yes, it does need two adaptors, and isn't worth the hassle! There are potential problems with adding another adapter to the mix, and my local camera shop also warned me off the Canon M6 as it's a platform that Canon have abandoned...
  13. J

    Canon EOS M6 with Swarovski TLS APO - needs two adapters?

    I want to use a Canon EOS M6 II with my ATX scope. As I understand it, I would need: the 30mm TLS APO (for APS-C cameras) a canon T2 adapter ring presumably another adapter to connect to the EOS M mount? (such as: Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS M - Lenses - Camera & Photo lenses - Canon UK) Is...
  14. J

    Need advice on a new scope, tripod & camera setup

    Thanks horukuru, that's really helpful. I hadn't come across the e-book before, but that's really thorough. I'm realising I need to decide between either a lightweight setup, or a good digiscoping one - I'm not going to get both.
  15. J

    Need advice on a new scope, tripod & camera setup

    Sorry, I've probably made this far too long-winded! I've decided to go for a Sony A6500 (or similar) for the camera part, and I'm trying to decide between a lightweight Opticron MM4 60 GA ED or Swarovski ATX 85 for the scope part. The former so much lighter and cheaper, but I'm assuming I'd...
  16. J

    Need advice on a new scope, tripod & camera setup

    Apologies in advance for the long post, but I’m researching ideas to improve my scope/photography setup and looking for ideas. As well as my bins, I normally take out: Leica Televid 62 APO - 30x wide and 20-60x eyepieces Velbon Delta V Tripod (InFocus edition) + hide clamp for the central...
  17. J

    Pondering the Swarovski EL 8x32 (vs Nikon Monarch HG)

    Decision made, the EL 8x32 turned out to tick all the boxes. Comparing to the Nikon's, there was no noticeable difference in light gathering. Hooray!
  18. J

    Pondering the Swarovski EL 8x32 (vs Nikon Monarch HG)

    Thanks everyone your replies have given me enough confidence, I've ordered a pair to trial, and can't wait for them to come. Chuck, I believe you've used the Monarch 8x42's as one of your (many!) binoculars, so that's good to hear. I did like the difference with the 8.5x magnification, but...
  19. J

    Pondering the Swarovski EL 8x32 (vs Nikon Monarch HG)

    Many thanks folks! I've often heard the EL 8x32 described as 'perfect Birding binocular'. I did try the Zeiss Victory 8x42, which I liked for the optics and and open bridge design, but weight was similar to the EL 8.5x42. I think if I changed my mind on the Nikon's it would have to be for the...
  20. J

    Pondering the Swarovski EL 8x32 (vs Nikon Monarch HG)

    I recently had a trip to In Focus at Slimbridge to try out and buy some new bins. After trying everything on my research list, it came down to the Nikon Monarch HG 8x42 and a used pair of Swarovski EL 8.5x42. I ended up choosing the Nikon's as I found the weight of the ELs too much. However...
  21. J

    Pinkhill Bird Hide at Farmoor

    On Sunday I visited Farmoor for the first time, and was told the keycode for Pinkhill hide by the chap in the lodge. He also mentioned that you need to turn both handles in order to open the hide, but no matter how much I tried, I couldn't get it open. Is this normal, or did I get the...
  22. J

    Help ID'ing this goose (Oxfordshire, UK)

    Thought it would be something like that - thanks!
  23. J

    Help ID'ing this goose (Oxfordshire, UK)

    Apologies for the low quality image (It was taken with my phone held up to a scope - proper Phone Skope adaptors have been ordered). Photo was taken this morning (24th Oct). I've seen this goose regularly on my local patch, and assumed it to be a Greylag, but the large whiteness of the...
  24. J

    What's your favourite birding website?

    This is true!! My move to a new server didn't go well, my old host screwed up and I've lost all the news database for Bill Oddie.net. I hope to have things up again soon, but as Andy says, freelance work and a young family are keeping me back.I'm just not getting the time... For the past year...
  25. J

    Bill Bites Back

    Andrew, what mail was this? It doesn't ring any bells
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