Adapter for Olympus SP-320 on Zeiss Scope (1 Viewer)

Zeiss Quick adapter and Olympus SP-320 --does that fit together?

I got the camera (originally not planned to use it for digiscoping) ; and now I would like to use it for digiscoping. But I do not know if the Camera fits on the Zeiss adapter ; I have the Zeiss Diascope 85 T* FL angled viewing.

Or is there any adapter that costs less and works also good with this Zeiss scope and this Olympus?

Thanks for Help,

Jörn

Joern Lehmhus said:

Zeiss Quick adapter and Olympus SP-320 --does that fit together?
...
Or is there any adapter that costs less and works also good with this Zeiss scope and this Olympus?

Click to expand...

Jörn,

The Zeiss Quick adapter certainly fits with the SP-320 (as it does with almost any camera), but the Olympus SP series is one of very few cameras which have threads around the lens - and this gives you an option to use "barrel" adapters. Barrel-type adapters are usually less expensive (but not cheap), but they are easy & reliable to use and you can choose from several alternatives.

First you need something like this:
http://www.bugeyedigital.com/product_main/bow-a31037o.html

Then something like one of these:
- http://www.digiscoping.co.uk/adapters.htm
- http://www.spidertech.fi/ada.htm
- http://www.lensadapter.com/
- "Mr Cheang's adapter"
(At least Spidertech's and Cheang's adapters permit the use of the scope zoom when the adapter is attached)

If these two don't fit together directly, you may need something like these in between ("28-37mm Step Up Ring"):
http://www.vintagecameras.co.uk/stepping.htm

Together all these should be something like 100-200€ (?).

HTH, :t:

Ilkka

Dear Ilkka,
Many Thanks for your advise.

However, I am not sure what I should do.
So what would you prefer?

As far as I understand the Quick adapter gives me the possibility to click this to the side with the camera.
Is there any such model cheaper than the Zeiss adapter that would also work with my Scope and Camera?

Also do you know where I could find out if I would need a step up ring if i use a lens adapter as in your link and the spidertech adapter for the Zeiss?

Thanks Jörn

Joern Lehmhus said:

So what would you prefer?

Click to expand...

If you are a "birder first"-type, who is mainly viewing through the eyepiece, you will appreciate the Quick-adapter, which can be totally swung out of your way.

If you would like to get as good pics as possible, the tube/barrel adapters can be aligned more accurately. But they are either slower to remove, or you have to leave a part of the adapter on the eyepiece. I used to have a Spidertech adapter, which was nice and very fast to take on/off - but when the "eyepiece-part" was attached, it easily scratched my eye-glasses.

A Swedish "Focus DA1" tube adapter can be mounted without any screw-on rings, but I don't know about its availability.

There are some less expensive swing-out adapters than the Zeiss QA, like the Opticron UDCA 40849 and "Simplicity Tools" http://www.birdforum.net/reviews/showproduct.php?product=53&sort=7&cat=18&page=1 but none seem as well designed/made as the Zeiss.

I am currently using the Baader Microstage adapter, which Andy Bright has reviewed here http://www.birdforum.net/reviews/showproduct.php?product=186&sort=7&cat=18&page=1. It can't be swung out, but it is relatively easy to just take off - and it is one of the least expensive options.

If you go with the Spidertech adapter, you will need a 28->37mm step-ring, but it is a very common size and you should easily find one them (even from Spidertech). The LCE adapters should be directly 37mm.

Best of luck,

Ilkka

Hi Ilkka,
this Baader Microstage adapter seems to be an interesting solution to start with... as at the moment I do not have that much money.

I will also check the others you proposed.

Many Thanks

Jörn

Hi Ilkka, (and all others interested)

I tried the Baader microstage photo adapter and it does fit well on the scope and the Olympus SP-320 camera fits also well on it ,
nevertheless it is a failure because the platform, where you screw the camera on, cannot be brought high enough that you could properly look through the scope with this camera. (That means this adapter would probably also not work with the Olympus SP-310 and SP-350, as they are similarly built)

So i will have to send it back, unless somebody here has an idea?

Best regards, Jörn

Joern Lehmhus said:

the platform, where you screw the camera on, cannot be brought high enough that you could properly look through the scope with this camera. (That means this adapter would probably also not work with the Olympus SP-310 and SP-350, as they are similarly built)

So i will have to send it back, unless somebody here has an idea?

Click to expand...

Jörn,

I also use a camera, which can't be brought high enough with the Baader as such - but in my case it is only a matter of some millimeters, so you can just place eg. a thick sheet of rubber on the platform. If you need more, there should be some "photography screws" or "quick release" adapters with threads in the bottom. I think there are also people who use cable release brackets like this http://www.birdforum.net/reviews/showproduct.php?product=11&sort=7&cat=18&page=1 which brings the camera higher.

Hope this helps,

Ilkka


EDIT: Found this solution http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=58894

iporali said:

the Olympus SP series is one of very few cameras which have threads around the lens - and this gives you an option to use "barrel" adapters.

Click to expand...

Hi everybody,
I have just discovered the forum (great one :t looking for advice on how to attach the sp-350 to a telescope. I apologize for my ignorance but I look at the camera, and look again, and cannot see the threads you said, only cylindrical pieces with flat surfaces and I can't figure out exactly how to attach the barrel.

The camera is supposed to allow 'conversion lens' by the same system but the manual doesn't explain anything :C .

Can anyone help me with this, please?
Thanks in advance, I suppose it will be any stupid thing...

Best regards from Spain

Arsival said:

Hi everybody,
I have just discovered the forum (great one :t looking for advice on how to attach the sp-350 to a telescope. I apologize for my ignorance but I look at the camera, and look again, and cannot see the threads you said, only cylindrical pieces with flat surfaces and I can't figure out exactly how to attach the barrel.

The camera is supposed to allow 'conversion lens' by the same system but the manual doesn't explain anything :C .

Can anyone help me with this, please?
Thanks in advance, I suppose it will be any stupid thing...

Best regards from Spain

Click to expand...

Hola Arsival,
If you have a look at the thread above by Iporali (#2) it will give you a good idea of what is available for your camera. You will definately need the Bug-eye adapter to start you off, (or the Olympus one CLA-9 but you will also need a step-up ring for this as it's an odd size for digiscoping tube adapters) - this screws into the threads at the base of the zoom lens, they are recessed into the camera's body which is probably why you cannot see them. All you need then is a tube type adapter to fit your scope.

regards and good luck

John