[davidfree]

I have an old model Swarovski AT80 with 20-60 eyepiece. I plan to start digiscoping and from all I havev read here the cp4500 seems to be the camera to get. Several other important questions remain.
1. Which adaptor? I prefer to be able to access the eyepiece zoom and to easily remove the camera nd sue the scope for spotting.
2. Which remote? despite some adverse comments, should I nevertheless try the Nikon remote cord.
3. Telephoto adaptor? I imagine the Nikon 3x adaptor would be a useful addition for when birds are too close to use the scope. What experience have others had?
Many thanks for all advice on these questions and for any other tips
David

[rka]

Hi Davidfree,

My 2 cents worth:

1) Yes, any of the CP990,995 or 4500 will work well. The general order of preference on this forum is 4500, 900, 995.

2) Adaptor - If shooting in good light, a homemade adaptor that allows the camera to be handheld may be sufficient. My latest version of the adaptor which was made yesterday (@11:00pm) cost me < US$1.00. I use the plastic cap from a black-pepper bottle that fits snugly over the rolled up eyecup of the 20-60 zoom. A hole of approx 30 - 32 mm diameter was made in the centre of the plastic cap. The top 5mm of a standard film storage canister was cut off and inserted in the hole in the plastic cap. The camera lens fits in the the marginally larger end of the film canister cutout. From testing so far, it works pretty well.

3) Remote: I haven't used it but from everything read so far, the Digisnap 2000 with the software option to control half-pressed autofocus seems the best option. If using this, the camera should be attached to the scope (not handheld).

4) Can't help on the 3X teleconverter. I do know that many have had success with the 5x Eagleye Opticzoom. Some have even attached the Olympus B300 (or TCON17) on the end of the Eagleye to extend the zoom further. Not sure of resolution quality from the setup.

Hope the info. is useful. There are many people here with a lot more experience than I have so I expect you will have all your answers shortly.

rka

[davidfree]

Many thanks for your advice RKA. I need all the help I can get.
Any chance of a photo of your home made adapter?
How did you bond the components?
Cheers
David