Miles Green
Active member
I'm new to birding. My little birding experience is with a dslr using a manual focus 400mm f/5.6 and sometimes a (mediocre) 2x TC, bringing me to f/11. I use a tripod & gimbal head in this case, and still end up using the viewfinder, even though it becomes very dark at f/11. But the lens is old and suffers from chromatic aberrations. I got it cheap to see if i like birding. I do! So now it's time to upgrade!
As super-teles (4500 euro +) are out of my reach, i was wondering if anyone is using astronomical scopes with your dslrs, and if you could share some advice. I would like more reach than a 400mm, at the risk of giving up hand-held shooting. I've been reading reviews online but i'm swamped by all the information... I can't even decide what size gear i need.
The main contenders are the following, based on pictures online and reviews. But feel free to redirect me if you think my thinking is flawed, that's why i'm posting here! Starting from the smallest...
- Borg 71 FL (this is a 400 f/5.6 like the one i currently use, only it's fluorite!)
- Tele-vue TV-85 (600 f/7)
- Kowa Prominar lens-scope (95mm: 500mm f/5.6mm)
- Skywatcher ED80 (600mm f/7.5) or ED120 + reducer (900mm f/7.5 x 0.85). Is IQ good for daytime photography and on par with the above? Has anyone used such a monster (120) for birding, or is it too cumbersome to use in practice?
Whichever i decide, a Pentax K5 will be on it 95% of the time. I can also mount a Pentax Q for super-close ups. I'm pretty sure i'd like to avoid digi-scoping with a p&s.
Many thanks for your help and please don't yell at me for for being lost in scope/telescope-land!
Miles
As super-teles (4500 euro +) are out of my reach, i was wondering if anyone is using astronomical scopes with your dslrs, and if you could share some advice. I would like more reach than a 400mm, at the risk of giving up hand-held shooting. I've been reading reviews online but i'm swamped by all the information... I can't even decide what size gear i need.
The main contenders are the following, based on pictures online and reviews. But feel free to redirect me if you think my thinking is flawed, that's why i'm posting here! Starting from the smallest...
- Borg 71 FL (this is a 400 f/5.6 like the one i currently use, only it's fluorite!)
- Tele-vue TV-85 (600 f/7)
- Kowa Prominar lens-scope (95mm: 500mm f/5.6mm)
- Skywatcher ED80 (600mm f/7.5) or ED120 + reducer (900mm f/7.5 x 0.85). Is IQ good for daytime photography and on par with the above? Has anyone used such a monster (120) for birding, or is it too cumbersome to use in practice?
Whichever i decide, a Pentax K5 will be on it 95% of the time. I can also mount a Pentax Q for super-close ups. I'm pretty sure i'd like to avoid digi-scoping with a p&s.
Many thanks for your help and please don't yell at me for for being lost in scope/telescope-land!
Miles
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