Tonta DA-1/DA-SR 1 Universal Smartphone Adapter
Thanks to Hermann providing me with additional information I was able to acquire one of these adapters:
http://www.lens2scope.com/index.php/product/detail/3
from:
http://www.ehlert-partner.de/adapt.html
They appear to be available through Germany only....
Bodo Ehlert was extremely helpful - the adapter was dispatched promptly once we had negotiated price/shipping costs and international money transfers...
It arrived yesterday after (a relatively quick) two weeks... I've had previous experience of long delays in receiving goods shipped from Germany...
In keeping with my Nikon theme:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=238464
my scope is a recently acquired Nikon ED82A which came with a MC II 25-75X Zoom eyepiece.
This has a relatively short (I wear spectacles) eye relief (14.1mm @ 25X) - I am unable to see the entire FOV... Who said I've got tunnel vision!
I have purchased a 30X Wide DS (Digiscoping) eyepiece - eye relief 18.7 mm - I can almost see the entire FOV! I anticipate that this eyepiece will remain on the scope semi-permanently...
I'm wanting to utilise my iPhone 4S for taking identification photos - if I were planning to undertake serious bird photography I would be utilising a serious camera body behind an even more serious (large and heavy) prime lens - and be even poorer!
Impressions so far:
Cons:
- This Universal adapter will not work effectively with the MC II Zoom eyepiece (without modification) as the DA-SR 1 adapter shrouds the zooming ring of the eyepiece... It may work well with other scopes...
- One has to ensure each time the phone is clipped in that the camera lens is centralised within the adapter shell.
- The complete unit is quite "bulky" and not something that will be "quick"...
Pros:
- It is certainly well made and "universally" adaptable. Following initial set-up the mobile phone of your choice "clips" within the four rubber-clad posts.
- The DA-SR 1 Universal Eyepiece Tube attaches to the eyepiece securely. The DA-1 Butterfly Smartphone Adapter is relatively (lock the tilt and pan functions!) easy to position in either vertical or horizontal orientation and secures well with a knurled thumb-screw.
- It is cheaper (marginally) than the Novagrade adapter. I say marginally because by the time I paid for purchase/shipping from Germany and the additional fees for international money transfer, it works out at about AU$50 less than the Novagrade adapter would be from the US!...
I have made two attempts at digiscoping so far:
The first (Tern) was yesterday in a strong breeze at a distance of approximately 175m with the 30X Wide DS eyepiece. Shutter release - right index finger!
The second (Oystercatcher) was this afternoon at approximately 120m using the same set-up but this time using the +ve volume control of the iPhone ear-buds as a remote shutter release.
There is plenty of "scope" for improvement!
Rodger