CP4500 'Hunting' (1 Viewer)

Ruby

Well-known member

• Jan 29, 2004

• #1

Hi Guys,

I am the proud new owner of a CP4500 and have spent the morning messing around with it...

Results so far have been encouraging - much sharper and clearer than my old camera, but clearly more time and practice is required!!

Couple of observations.....

1. The supplied battery is absolutely useless!! I reckon comfortably less that an hour's continuous use and it's Goodnight Vienna. Anyone got any good tips for alternative power sources.

2. I'm trying to use the camera in pretty much fully manual mode, but I'm not sure if I'm doing it right..... When I depress the shutter, the camera goes 'click/whirr' for anything between 1-3 secs before actually taking the pic. I am (I think anyway) operating in fully manual exposure mode and macro focus more - so what on Earth is it doing?? This is a bit irritating, as it just gives the subject enough time to stick it's head under it's wing or fly off into the next County!!

I expect that I am doing something wrong..... any ideas??

 

Adey Baker

Member

• Jan 29, 2004

• #2

In macro focussing mode it will still need time to auto-focus. It's just doing it over a shorter range

 

Bill Came

Well-known member

• Jan 30, 2004

• #3

Check out the info from "Andy Brights Digiscoping Forum"
theres a piece on camera settings for the cp4500, I found it very usefull.
regards Bill...

 

C

cskhaw

Well-known member

• Jan 30, 2004

• #4

swith off the macro mode n don't put on mountain mode unless some branches are in front of the bird.

 

A

Andrew Diment

Well-known member

• Jan 30, 2004

• #5

Ruby,

I bought a spare battery for mine and, so far, I've never run out of power. However, I have been told that Maplins sell a power pack to run the CP4500 and it will last you all day. The best bit is it only costs around £30. Compared to others that I've seen on the web, this is about a third of the price of its competitors.

 

Ruby

Well-known member

• Jan 30, 2004

• #6

Thanks Andrew - that sounds like a great tip..... I'll certainly check it out..

BTW - Think I might have solved the 'hunting' problem...

If I operate the camera in fully manual exposure mode and macro focus, and then press the shutter halfway to lock the settings, it does its little 'hunt' then. All you need to do is then wait until your subject is posing nicely and then - snap - it takes the picture instantly.

This worked OK from the safety and comfort of my lounge - can't wait to try it out down at Elmley or somewhere in a gale!!

 

Ragna

Well-known member

• Jan 30, 2004

• #7

Ruby,I use manual focus setting nearly all the time when digiscoping. Just turn the manual setting up as high as it goes.Then you've only got your scope to focus,works well for me. Also replied to your battery post.

 

POP

Registered User

• Jan 31, 2004

• #8

Ruby,I purchased the power pack from Maplins which is excellent,the downside however is,if you use Eagle Eye quick release cable system with braccket you cannot use the power pack.

John

 

Ragna

Well-known member

• Jan 31, 2004

• #9

I dont use the Eagle Eye cable release i use a Jessops cable release but do use the Maplin power pack,idont attach it via the tripod bush(as your suppose to) but velcro it to the tripod handle(the cable is just long enough) this way i find it balances the scope and camera better, leave it attached (except when its wet) all the time to the handle even when not digiscoping.Also use a powerex battery pack cost £60 but not as powerful so only use as back up.

 

POP

Registered User

• Jan 31, 2004

• #10

Graham I will try this with my set up many thanks.

John

 

christineredgate

Winner of the Copeland Wildlife Photographer of th

• Jan 31, 2004

• #11

Carry a couple of spare batteries Ruby,they do not take long to re charge.A bit pricey to buy,but once you have them,they are always on hand.
Christine

 

Ragna

Well-known member

• Jan 31, 2004

• #12

John. you can get the velcro straps at B&Q they are sold in pack of about 5 or 6 and are all different colours, £2-£3 a pack.

 

POP

Registered User

• Jan 31, 2004

• #13

Graham thank you.

John

 

GR Triever

Well-known member

• Jan 31, 2004

• #14

Ruby said:

Hi Guys,

I am the proud new owner of a CP4500 and have spent the morning messing around with it...

Results so far have been encouraging - much sharper and clearer than my old camera, but clearly more time and practice is required!!

Couple of observations.....

1. The supplied battery is absolutely useless!! I reckon comfortably less that an hour's continuous use and it's Goodnight Vienna. Anyone got any good tips for alternative power sources.

Click to expand...

Hi Ruby, for alternative power source ideas see my post in this thread:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=12252

Ruby said:

2. I'm trying to use the camera in pretty much fully manual mode, but I'm not sure if I'm doing it right..... When I depress the shutter, the camera goes 'click/whirr' for anything between 1-3 secs before actually taking the pic. I am (I think anyway) operating in fully manual exposure mode and macro focus more - so what on Earth is it doing?? This is a bit irritating, as it just gives the subject enough time to stick it's head under it's wing or fly off into the next County!!

I expect that I am doing something wrong..... any ideas??

Click to expand...

I was having the same problem; Andy Bright was most helpful in resolving it. To use Macro mode, the flower icon must be Yellow, or the camera goes nuts looking for a focus lock. Now, depending on scope zoom, I switch between Macro and Infinity to get a lock and the problem has disappeared.

Hope this helps,

GR

 

IanF

Moderator

• Jan 31, 2004

• #15

As regards batteries I bought a Hanna one off eBay which holds charge must better than the supplied Nikon one lasting around half as long again.