One of the main problems with using the sort of magnifications that digiscoping allows is the impact that the slightest vibration at the camera/scope end will have on the final image. If you zoom right up on the camera into digital zoom with the camera attached to even a 20x eyepiece, you’ll see the image bouncing around in the camera’s monitor, even breathing near the camera can cause an impact on the stability of the subject. You try pushing the shutter-release button with the steadiest hand and the image will be a total blur.
Very high shutter-speeds can help in this matter, but these are rarely encountered in digiscoping (especially in Northern Europe!).
To help keep the camera end as stable as possible when taking a shot you will need a cable release of some description.
The cheapest way is to purchase a device from Jessops (in the U.K. but ship overseas), this is the cable-release adapter bracket that allows a cable release to be positioned just above the shutter-release button of the camera…. A plunger at the end of the cable is pushed to take the shot and a small probe pops out of the other end and pushes the shutter-release button. You can half-press the plunger so that the camera focus locks onto the subject, then fully depress when the subject is in a pose you wish to capture. Many cable-releases are lockable and allow you to take your finger off the plunger without the probe springing back into the cable.
This isn’t the ideal method as mechanical vibration is still created when the probe hits the shutter-release button of the camera, though it is negligible.
Other, more expensive methods exist. Nikon produce a cable release (MC-EU1) that fits into the camera’s usb socket and allows you to perform many camera functions from a rather neat control box. It’s reputation isn’t wonderful amongst digiscopers, slow operation is often cited as a problem along with the fact that the usb socket on the Nikon camera’s is rather fragile and regular plugging/unplugging can cause damage to this socket. The MC-EU1 has some advocates…. There’s one in Hampshire and possibly another in North America.
A U.S. company called Harbortronics makes a similar, if less fancy, device to the Nikon MC-EU1. From all accounts it is far better in many respects.
In a perfect world we would have an i.r. remote control to trip the shutter.
Very high shutter-speeds can help in this matter, but these are rarely encountered in digiscoping (especially in Northern Europe!).
To help keep the camera end as stable as possible when taking a shot you will need a cable release of some description.
The cheapest way is to purchase a device from Jessops (in the U.K. but ship overseas), this is the cable-release adapter bracket that allows a cable release to be positioned just above the shutter-release button of the camera…. A plunger at the end of the cable is pushed to take the shot and a small probe pops out of the other end and pushes the shutter-release button. You can half-press the plunger so that the camera focus locks onto the subject, then fully depress when the subject is in a pose you wish to capture. Many cable-releases are lockable and allow you to take your finger off the plunger without the probe springing back into the cable.
This isn’t the ideal method as mechanical vibration is still created when the probe hits the shutter-release button of the camera, though it is negligible.
Other, more expensive methods exist. Nikon produce a cable release (MC-EU1) that fits into the camera’s usb socket and allows you to perform many camera functions from a rather neat control box. It’s reputation isn’t wonderful amongst digiscopers, slow operation is often cited as a problem along with the fact that the usb socket on the Nikon camera’s is rather fragile and regular plugging/unplugging can cause damage to this socket. The MC-EU1 has some advocates…. There’s one in Hampshire and possibly another in North America.
A U.S. company called Harbortronics makes a similar, if less fancy, device to the Nikon MC-EU1. From all accounts it is far better in many respects.
In a perfect world we would have an i.r. remote control to trip the shutter.
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