BirdForum

leighjauncey · Wednesday 9th July 2003, 15:19

Have just got an 885 for digiscoping - My early results are ok but could be better I'm sure - anyone got any tips/settings for best results. I have the step down ring and LCE opticron adapter.

***Andy Bright*** · Wednesday 30th July 2003, 21:12

Hi Leigh, a big welcome to BF and a big apology for missing this thread for so long.
I'm not too familair with this camera but do know it is capable of excellent results (when fed a good image from a spotting scope).
Have you tried macro focus mode? Also aperture priority is a reliable exposure mode.
Regards,
Andy

leighjauncey · Thursday 31st July 2003, 00:43

Thanks Andy. I have tried lots of different settings and have got some reasonable results. My main problem now is my dreadful scope - I hate to mention it in such esteemed company but it's a Summit 15-45x60 (yes I know, I'm embarrassed - I got it very cheap from a friend) - I think I've gone about as far as I can with it. With very meagre funds I was considering taking up Warehouse Express on their offer of 'buy now - pay later in instalments'. About the best I could manage would be an Opticron Imagic 80 - but which eye-piece, an HDF but 25x, 32x or 20-60x? I've seen discussions in the scopes section, but opinion seems to be divided. I've really got into digiscoping and that would almost be the primary use. The 885 is a super camera, I was using a Fuji Finepix which I bought for it's 6x optical zoom, it's good for close subjects but very limited for digiscoping. Some of my results are in the British Birds section of my website:
http://www.leighjauncey.ukonline.co.uk - some aren't bad, some are truly awful! So anyway - Opticron eyepieces anyone?

***Andy Bright*** · Thursday 31st July 2003, 00:54

Hi Leigh,
Already had a nose through your website earlier.... very nice Stonechat photo there, no matter what the scope.
The 25x would seem like the best bet for digiscoping with the Opticron Imagic 80, though the 20-60x would probably give you higher shutter-speeds when used at 20x. I rarely recommend zoom eyepieces with scopes at this price range (in fact at most price ranges).
32x is about the optimum mag for an 80mm scope, but think it will be slightly restrictive for a lot of digiscoping situations.
Maybe we can have some input from a user of the Opticron Imagic 80?
I do keep 'banging on' about secondhand scopes (notably Kowa TSN3/4), but they are a reliable buy.
Regards,
Andy

Wednesday 9th July 2003, 15:19	#1
leighjauncey Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Paignton Devon Posts: 253	Digiscoping with CP885 Have just got an 885 for digiscoping - My early results are ok but could be better I'm sure - anyone got any tips/settings for best results. I have the step down ring and LCE opticron adapter.

Wednesday 30th July 2003, 21:12	#2
*Andy Bright* 2nd in command Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Herts Posts: 6,485 My location	Hi Leigh, a big welcome to BF and a big apology for missing this thread for so long. I'm not too familair with this camera but do know it is capable of excellent results (when fed a good image from a spotting scope). Have you tried macro focus mode? Also aperture priority is a reliable exposure mode. Regards, Andy __________________ www.Digiscoped.com also, if you're particularly bored, try www.andybright.com - mediocre aviation photography
	Click here to Support BirdForum

Thursday 31st July 2003, 00:43	#3
leighjauncey Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Paignton Devon Posts: 253	Coolpix 885 & Opticron? Thanks Andy. I have tried lots of different settings and have got some reasonable results. My main problem now is my dreadful scope - I hate to mention it in such esteemed company but it's a Summit 15-45x60 (yes I know, I'm embarrassed - I got it very cheap from a friend) - I think I've gone about as far as I can with it. With very meagre funds I was considering taking up Warehouse Express on their offer of 'buy now - pay later in instalments'. About the best I could manage would be an Opticron Imagic 80 - but which eye-piece, an HDF but 25x, 32x or 20-60x? I've seen discussions in the scopes section, but opinion seems to be divided. I've really got into digiscoping and that would almost be the primary use. The 885 is a super camera, I was using a Fuji Finepix which I bought for it's 6x optical zoom, it's good for close subjects but very limited for digiscoping. Some of my results are in the British Birds section of my website: http://www.leighjauncey.ukonline.co.uk - some aren't bad, some are truly awful! So anyway - Opticron eyepieces anyone?

Thursday 31st July 2003, 00:54	#4
*Andy Bright* 2nd in command Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Herts Posts: 6,485 My location	Hi Leigh, Already had a nose through your website earlier.... very nice Stonechat photo there, no matter what the scope. The 25x would seem like the best bet for digiscoping with the Opticron Imagic 80, though the 20-60x would probably give you higher shutter-speeds when used at 20x. I rarely recommend zoom eyepieces with scopes at this price range (in fact at most price ranges). 32x is about the optimum mag for an 80mm scope, but think it will be slightly restrictive for a lot of digiscoping situations. Maybe we can have some input from a user of the Opticron Imagic 80? I do keep 'banging on' about secondhand scopes (notably Kowa TSN3/4), but they are a reliable buy. Regards, Andy __________________ www.Digiscoped.com also, if you're particularly bored, try www.andybright.com - mediocre aviation photography
	Click here to Support BirdForum

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

BirdForum

The net's largest birding community, dedicated to wild birds