improving image quality (1 Viewer)

Looking for help in improving image quality. I had a Canon Digital Rebel 6.3MP dSLR that is now in forced retirement due to a broken shutter (hoping to forego repairs and upgrade to a Canon 50D in the near future). I utilized two different attachments to my Swaro AD80 HD scope (tube and sleeve as I call them). The tube allowed direct connection of cam body to scope body and the sleeve attached on to the cam 18-55mm lens and fit over the eyepiece of the scope and has a screw to secure it on.

I wondered if someone could offer some advice on how best to utilize this set up - or what I may do once I get a new digital SLR to increase quality of my images. I was on a Yahoo discussion group and one person pointed out "shutter slap" as a possible issue and focusing issues. I'm looking for how best to work after I get a new camera. I've seen spectacular digiscoped images and wondering how I can do the same.

here's an image taken late day in December of 2006 of an immature Black-crowned Night Heron in a friend's yard. This was taken with the tube attachment on a day with fading daylight. Second image is a subadult bald eagle taken with the sleeve attachment just this past fall. Conditions of the day were poor - heavily overcast and fading daylight. I can upload Exif data if that helps at all.

Any advice would be deeply appreciated - I'd like to have a better working knowledge of how to achieve better images before spring comes. If there are good resources to read, please suggest them. I will be looking through past threads.

Thank you!!

Try to find a better lens. I assume that 18-55 is the kit one. Find a sharper and a faster lens, for example 50mm f/1.8 or something similar. Use the maximul iso possible to have a small exposure time and try to fix the tripod to avoid the shake of the body and scope. Use a flash or daylight. If you can, use mirror loock up or cable release. Use a solid tripod.