I currently have a camcorder based video set up that includes a Canon XH-A1, a Panasonic HC-X920 and a Sony HDR-HC3. The Canon and Panasonic are great for general usage and shoot good quality 1080p footage. I used the Sony for longer range videos and attached it to my Swarovski ATS80 telescope using the old Eagle Eye optics DS Eyepiece. Given that eyepiece is only 10x magnification and the camcorder was also 10x, I could get good quality video with no vignetting from about 30x zoom (3x on the camcorder). However the camcorder only shoots 1080i footage and the LCD screen has now broken. I also have a Canon S95 which works Ok using a DCA adapter but is limited to 720p video.
So basically I'm now looking for a replacement video camcorder or camera to work with my ATS80. My available eyepieces are 20-60x, 30x WA and of course the old 10x DS eyepiece. I also have Swarovski DCA and UCAs.
I cannot find anything compatible with the DS eyepiece. My X920 has vignetting across all its 12x magnification range however much I play around with the eyepiece eye relief and other settings. All other camcorders with full 1080p seem to have either too high magnifications or like the X920 have too large a lens.
My options seem to be as follows and I would welcome any insight anyone has on similar setups or issues:
Option 1: find a camcorder that will work with the DS eyepiece. Does such a thing exist with full 1080p video?
Option 2: Go with one of the latest Micro 4/3rds cameras (GH3 or GH4) with a Swarovski TLS APO adapter. These seem to have great video quality, albeit with a long focal length start point and no ND filters, but the TLS APO has zooming limitations on the ATS80
Option 3: Replace the S95 with something like the Sony RX100M3 which has great video and a ND filter but seems to need to be regularly adjusted in the field to avoid vignetting and probably would require the purchase of a new telescope adapter
Option 4: Given I also have access to top quality Canon lenses (100-400mm and 300mm fixed) consider the Showtime 35mm adapter fitted to the Panasonic HC-X920. This looks a bit bulky and cumbersome however.
Any comments very welcome.
Cheers
Greg
So basically I'm now looking for a replacement video camcorder or camera to work with my ATS80. My available eyepieces are 20-60x, 30x WA and of course the old 10x DS eyepiece. I also have Swarovski DCA and UCAs.
I cannot find anything compatible with the DS eyepiece. My X920 has vignetting across all its 12x magnification range however much I play around with the eyepiece eye relief and other settings. All other camcorders with full 1080p seem to have either too high magnifications or like the X920 have too large a lens.
My options seem to be as follows and I would welcome any insight anyone has on similar setups or issues:
Option 1: find a camcorder that will work with the DS eyepiece. Does such a thing exist with full 1080p video?
Option 2: Go with one of the latest Micro 4/3rds cameras (GH3 or GH4) with a Swarovski TLS APO adapter. These seem to have great video quality, albeit with a long focal length start point and no ND filters, but the TLS APO has zooming limitations on the ATS80
Option 3: Replace the S95 with something like the Sony RX100M3 which has great video and a ND filter but seems to need to be regularly adjusted in the field to avoid vignetting and probably would require the purchase of a new telescope adapter
Option 4: Given I also have access to top quality Canon lenses (100-400mm and 300mm fixed) consider the Showtime 35mm adapter fitted to the Panasonic HC-X920. This looks a bit bulky and cumbersome however.
Any comments very welcome.
Cheers
Greg