P950/1000 photo-camera - telescope? (1 Viewer)

[Granpoli]

Hello,
I have a terrestrial telescope that I use frequently when I go out into the field, I like photography too, I'm thinking of getting a camera with a large zoom to unify both hobbies, does anyone know if the Nikon P1000 or P950 can be used as a camera , as well telescope with powerful zoom?
In addition to birds, I like to observe airplanes and the moon.
Thank you
GPoli.

 

[etudiant]

Hello,
I have a terrestrial telescope that I use frequently when I go out into the field, I like photography too, I'm thinking of getting a camera with a large zoom to unify both hobbies, does anyone know if the Nikon P1000 or P950 can be used as a camera , as well telescope with powerful zoom?
In addition to birds, I like to observe airplanes and the moon.
Thank you
GPoli.

The P1000 objective lens is large, it takes a 77mm filter, so the optics are comparable to those in a medium spotting scope.
It offers 125x zoom, starting from 24mm equivalent focal length.
Naked eye viewing has about the same width of view as a 50mm lens, so the camera will roughly give a 60x magnification at full zoom.
Of course, the P1000 is not waterproof and is certainly more delicate than a spotting scope, but given reasonable care, it should give very satisfactory views.

 

[Richard D]

I found the viewfinders inadequate to use as a scope (although they are better than the P900) but I think it's a case of try and see whether they are good enough for your needs.

 

[Granpoli]

Hello,
But the videos and photographs that I have seen on the web show the objects, be it a bird, moon or plane... to give some examples, with greater magnification than a 60x spotting scope!
No?
thank you
Gpoli.

 

[pppppvvvv]

Hello,
But the videos and photographs that I have seen on the web show the objects, be it a bird, moon or plane... to give some examples, with greater magnification than a 60x spotting scope!
No?
thank you
Gpoli.

Yes, I was thinking of how to explain this.
If you think of a scope as real time viewing and tracking wildlife, then the camera can't compete.

But, if you were to use the camera, on a tripod ideally, and record the wildlife at the really high zoom. Then the play back could be on a par with a scope. (In fact better, as you have a permanent record).

Having said that, I'd never contemplate seawatching with a camera. Not sure why that sounds so unfeasible based on what I've said above. I think it's much harder to track moving things with the camera.

 

[njlarsen]

Hello,
But the videos and photographs that I have seen on the web show the objects, be it a bird, moon or plane... to give some examples, with greater magnification than a 60x spotting scope!
No?
thank you
Gpoli.

Once you have the image, you can zoom in on the image (in camera viewing) or crop the image (on a computer afterwards. If you crop to 1/4 of the surface area of the image you would make it look like a lot more magnification than the scope.

We have discussed this before, but I will try to describe again. I do not bring a scope when I travel, only my camera (not one of the above mentioned models). However, I would bring the scope if I was expecting to spend hours more or less stationary looking for migrating raptors, looking for shorebirds in a large area of mudflats etc, due to the higher comfort of using the scope while watching.
Niels

 

[pppppvvvv]

Once you have the image, you can zoom in on the image (in camera viewing) or crop the image (on a computer afterwards. If you crop to 1/4 of the surface area of the image you would make it look like a lot more magnification than the scope.

We have discussed this before, but I will try to describe again. I do not bring a scope when I travel, only my camera (not one of the above mentioned models). However, I would bring the scope if I was expecting to spend hours more or less stationary looking for migrating raptors, looking for shorebirds in a large area of mudflats etc, due to the higher comfort of using the scope while watching.
Niels

When Traveling this can become quite a dilemma.
I tend to buckle at the last minute and always end up packing the scope as well!

 

[Gzoladz74]

The experience of using a real scope for observation cannot even be compared with using a camera. Having said that, the convinience of not having to carry a scope is enormous too.
I only carry the scope when I know 100% I will use it.
When I don't have it with me, for distant subjects I may detect with the binocs that "there is something" and then use the P1000 for identification.
I am sure I miss stuff that I would have picked up with the scope.
In summary, for identification the P1000 will do just fine, but for the experience of observing, scanning, etc, it will not cut it.

 

[snoopx]

If you look on Youtube, people have posted up videos of Jupiter and Saturn they have taken with the Nikon P1000 or P950.

 

[delia todd]

I have taken pictures of the moon on my P900 .... not bad, but I'm not too good a changing settings. Need more practise but cloudy skies.... LOL

Agree I

Once you have the image, you can zoom in on the image (in camera viewing) or crop the image (on a computer afterwards. If you crop to 1/4 of the surface area of the image you would make it look like a lot more magnification than the scope.

We have discussed this before, but I will try to describe again. I do not bring a scope when I travel, only my camera (not one of the above mentioned models). However, I would bring the scope if I was expecting to spend hours more or less stationary looking for migrating raptors, looking for shorebirds in a large area of mudflats etc, due to the higher comfort of using the scope while watching.
Niels

I agree with this. I couldn't sit sea-watching for hours with my camera. But I wouldn't take my scope unless I knew I'd need it. For when I got this camera I discovered that I was able to photograph a distant bird, then zoom in a bit more on the screen. In most cases I was able to identify it. Some with better skills than me, would probably be able to identify some of the remainder too.

I bought the P900 from a member in Australia when I was out there. I didn't miss my scope really, well maybe once when we were sea watching for about half an hour and I didn't see Gannets at all. Bit miffed about that! Someone further along had seen some passing at a great distance. But it wouldn't have been worth the weight of the Leica for that half hour in a 2 month holiday!