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  1. M

    Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 with stuck 128RC head

    My Manfrotto 128RC head is stuck on my Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 tripod. I bought them separately some years ago, and they get a fair amount of use, both for my birding telescope and for video. And I've had them apart some years ago. I've unscrewed the 3 retaining worm screws under the tripod...
  2. M

    Fixed eyepiece for HR 80 GA ED

    I have an Opticron HR 80 GA ED, and it came with an SDL/2 eyepiece. I wear spectacles nearly all of the time, and I'm wondering whether a fixed eyepiece, such as the 40831, might be better. Zooming in rarely gives me much improvement. Anyone with direct experience of the 40831 and HR 80 GA ED...
  3. M

    Low cost gimbal head (ebay) LF623

    For many years I've owned and used a Manfrotto Long Lens Monopod Bracket, model 393. https://www.manfrotto.co.uk/long-lens-monopod-bracket It's supported several of Canon's big white lenses for me, and the only drawback I've encountered is its bulk, and that when using my EF 500 F/4 L IS, I...
  4. M

    EOS 7D Mk II new firmware, 1.1.0

    I've updated the firmware on my 7D Mk II to the latest version, 1.1.0. The thread in the link gives the necessary reference, and lots of comments. My update went smoothly, if a bit slowly just after the start. https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/58306641 I was hoping it might resolve the...
  5. M

    Osprey photography in the UK at fish farms

    Just hoping that this is the most appropriate place for this thread / query. As there are very strict rules with regard to how close we can get to their few nest sites, photographing ospreys when fishing at fish farms should be a better option. Has anyone tried the fish farms relatively close...
  6. M

    Excellent service from Opticron

    Checking out my telescope, I found that the zoom control on the SDLv2 eyepiece was stiff, so drove to Opticron in Luton, and Sarah sorted it whilst we waited.
  7. M

    Opticron HR 80 GA ED

    I'd be interested in any comments regarding the subject line telescope, and if possible, how it compares to some of the decidedly more expensive telescopes with a similar aperture, and ED glass. If I do go for one, I expect I'll be using it with an SDL eyepiece. At the moment, my telescope is...
  8. M

    Bushnell Elite 8x42ED

    I received my latest pair of binoculars yesterday, a used pair of good condition Bushnell Elite 8x42ED (Model # 628042ED), and I spent a pleasant afternoon trying them out. For a few months I've been using a pair of 10x42 Nikon Monarch, and the slightly wider exit pupil of the 8x42 makes life...
  9. M

    Kenko Lens2scope Spotting Scope Adapter

    I have a number of Canon L quality tele lenses, and I wonder if anyone here has tried the "Kenko Lens2scope Angled Spotting Scope Adapter" as a way of getting a spotting scope on the cheap! Years ago I tried using the Minolta 10mm MD eyepiece thingy, and it was dire. Very difficult to use...
  10. M

    SDL eyepiece versions

    I have one of the original SDL zoom eyepieces, and thinking about an upgrade, I note that Opticron telescopes are frequently sold as kits - objective end and eyepiece. Is it worth my while trying to save the cost of a new SDL eyepiece by seeking out a supplier offering just the objective end of...
  11. M

    Today at Birdfair, Rutland Water, UK

    I've visited Birdfair several times over the years, and normally in dry, sunny weather. Today was very different. Last night's weather forecast suggested that today would be drier than tomorrow, but the heavy rain I drove through on the A1 & A1(M) seemed not to know this. I arrived in Blue...
  12. M

    50D versus 600D noise at 400 ISO

    Shortly after the 60D became available, I took advantage of the lowered s/h prices on the 50D, and bought one for my bird shooting. In particular I was keen on a smaller body (for travel) and the AF MA feature so that all my lenses could be used at full or close to full aperture. I was aware...
  13. M

    1D Mk IV occasional under-exposure

    I've now had a 1D Mk IV for 6 months, and have shot several thousand images. (Prior to this, I'd used a 1D Mk III for several years.) In the main my exposures have been fine, but two months ago I had serious under-exposure with my normal settings, shooting similar subjects to my normal. I'd...
  14. M

    ID for old Opticron ED telescope, please

    I have an old, black, rubber armoured Opticron telescope. Under the eyepiece mount it's labelled "Opticron High Resolution", and on both sides of the straight through prism housing are the labels, "Opticron ED". Around the focus knob are "60S D=60mm No. 22294", and on the end of the knob is...
  15. M

    Home measurement of eye relief?

    Being astigmatic I've worn bifocal spectacles for many years, and I wear them when using binoculars, of which I have several. Some are easier to use than others, and some are too old for me to find their eye relief data on the web. I've noticed that even with the eyecups in their lowest...
  16. M

    1D Mark III and "best" firmware for birding

    I have one of the 1D Mark III bodies which has had both of the official Canon fixes relating to the sub-mirror problem. Two days ago, I came across a website extolling the virtues of an earlier firmware for bird photography, and wonder whether other bird photographers can comment from their...
  17. M

    Sherwoods for binocular purchase?

    In around 10 days time I shall be driving to mid-Wales, and have wondered whether to vary my route so as to visit Sherwoods, near Henley in Arden. For those people who've visited them, do they have decent stocks and is the shop a good place from which to compare several models? I'm interested...
  18. M

    Roof prism phase coating

    I'm feeling the urge to buy a new pair of binoculars, and so the matter of phase coating of roof prism bins has arisen. At the moment, three of my binoculars are Porro prism design which don't need it, and one, Minolta Activa 9x25, is a compact roof prism design, which I've had for several...
  19. M

    Birdfair - end of next week

    I can't see any entry for Jacobs at this year's Birdfair, or am I not looking in the right place? Anyone know for sure? - I've bought stuff from them in years past. Any recommendations for getting pictures of the ospreys? I thought my EF 400 F5.6L (+50D or 1D MkIII) was a little short the...
  20. M

    What no (Gitzo) gimbal head...

    WRT the recent announcement: http://www.birdforum.net/announcement.php?f=292&a=67 Well that's a disappointment. I'd hoped that if Gitzo really wanted my money, they would have offered some form of gimbal head, but not from what I can see. I am also beginning to find that my ageing video heads...
  21. M

    Opticron 8x42 HRWP versus old Porro Countryman 8x42

    I was just about ready to order a new 8x42 HRWP, but before I sent the order off, I checked the coverage of my old Extra Wide Field Countryman 8x42 WA, and was horrified to see that I'd be losing angular coverage to quite a serious degree. 112m at 1000m, versus 143m at 1000m on the old pair. I...
  22. M

    Old Countryman 8x42 WA BAK4 prisms 143m/1000m

    Just wondering whether anyone else is still using these porro binoculars. I've had my rubber coated pair for many years - probably 15-20, I'd guess. Focusing is now a bit stiff, but otherwise they seem OK.
  23. M

    Some birding sites around Milton Keynes

    The following is an edited version of a response I made to an "out-of-county" query. -------------------- Little Linford Wood This is accessed via a private farm road (past Dairy* Farm) off the Haversham to Tyringham road (permissive access, I believe) to a farm near Gayhurst, and the track...
  24. M

    Egleton Birdfair Optics yesterday, 22/8/09

    I enjoyed my first visit to Birdfair for many years yesterday. The Optics Marquees seemed well staffed; and with one side open for viewing, the environmental conditions were fine. (Not so in the totally enclosed marquees which were over-warm and very humid, and soon had me exiting!) The weather...
  25. M

    Oxey Mead, off A40 Oxford to Witney

    I'm hoping to visit the reserve at Oxey Mead (off the A40 from Oxford to Witney) on Sunday pm, and was wondering whether it's an open reserve, or closed to the public. The BBOWT website isn't helpful at all, apart from listing the site. Google Maps shows lots of wetland, but I can't see any...
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