Pentax PF65A ED and camera compatibility (1 Viewer)

I am using a Pentax PF65A ED spotting scope in conjunction with a Canon powershot SD870 IS. The camera face has a rounded surface making it difficult to accurately line up the camera lense and spotting scope lense leading to less than crisp photos. Looking for suggestions on alternative cameras that will match up with the Pentax PF65 scope and lenses. (I have been using an XF12 but have just ordered an XW14 lense) Are there any point and shoots with threaded lenses or do I need to consider something like a Nikon P6000. Are megapixels also an issue. Any information appreciated.

Welcome to BF finno!

So happens I have the original digiscoping kit that Pentax marketed for this scope. Consists of the Pentax Optio S 5z digicam and the PF-DS1 adapter. Works with both XF and XW eyepieces. There is nothing lighter/smaller or easier to use with your scope. Camera has excellent digiscoping friendly features too. Only 5MP but still plenty enough for A4-sized prints.

I've since moved on to a Kowa kit so no longer use it. Let me know if you are interested!

cheers,
Rick

RJM said:

Welcome to BF finno!

So happens I have the original digiscoping kit that Pentax marketed for this scope. Consists of the Pentax Optio S 5z digicam and the PF-DS1 adapter. Works with both XF and XW eyepieces. There is nothing lighter/smaller or easier to use with your scope. Camera has excellent digiscoping friendly features too. Only 5MP but still plenty enough for A4-sized prints.

I've since moved on to a Kowa kit so no longer use it. Let me know if you are interested!

cheers,
Rick

Click to expand...

Thanks for the info Rick.

I also started out with a Pentax Optio but found the screen too small. I am hoping that there is someone out there that has found a compatible camera with a threaded lense.

Finno

The only current cameras that have a threaded lens to take an adapter are the flagship models Nikon P6000, Canon G10 and Panasonic LX3. Unfortunately, their lens are too long and exclude them from being used easily for digiscoping with most astro eyepieces unless you can find an eyepiece with 35mm or more eyerelief in a 1.25" barrel. Impossible I think.

FWIW, I solved the screen issue by fitting a popup sunshade/2x loupe to the LCD screen of my Optio 5z. See pic.

cheers,
Rick

Longer eye relief eyepieces are available.

See info. in this post.

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=140498

rmel66.

No threaded lense but the Optio A-series camera's work great. I use the A-30 with my PF65 ED-A. Up until recently I always hand held the camera over the EP! I shot ton's of pic's with only a few real good keeper's! Recently got a great deal on the UA-1 adapter from Pentax. Not the best adapter but, serves it's function for what I wanted. Result, I have alot more keeper's more so than what I delete. This adapter also works with our Kowa 601 and Bushnell 80 Elite. Though I like the results better with the Pentax. I now use the infrared remote and don't have to touch the set-up, more stable! I don't know if the glass in the SMC lense on the camera mates better with the glass on the XW's but, I do know I tried several different camera's with this particular set-up and the Pentax A series gave me the best results? I kinda wish Pentax would come up with another adapter like the PF DS-1 to use with different camera's, even the A-series which I think is an awesome little camera! Bryce.