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  1. Darkus_Markus

    Velbon PH-157Q head maintenance...

    My used and abused Velbon head no longer wants to pan (tilt still works fine) Wondering if there's a way to dismantle and re-grease the bearings ? (assuming it's made like that) Has anyone ever had any luck with something like this ? Any help much appreciated.
  2. Darkus_Markus

    What am I doing wrong ? RX10IV sharpness

    Thanks to you all for your responses and thoughts, there’s been quite a bit of discussion and questions so I’ll give my responses in a rather broad way below. I’ve been using Stephen Ingrahams excellent guide (and settings) on the RX10 as my main source of education with this camera. So...
  3. Darkus_Markus

    What am I doing wrong ? RX10IV sharpness

    By contrast this image of a Wren, much closer but much smaller and frantic seems to have a better level of detail in poorer light and with slower settings...
  4. Darkus_Markus

    What am I doing wrong ? RX10IV sharpness

    Hey MalR, I hear what you're saying. Forgetting crops for a second, I think I'm using the best of a bad bunch as an example. Take this shot for instance, the water around the Grebe looks pretty sharp but on the bird itself we've lost fine feather detail, particularly on the head tufts. I...
  5. Darkus_Markus

    What am I doing wrong ? RX10IV sharpness

    Yes, full zoom...tricky in terms of distance probably around 60ft. They're pretty small birds too.
  6. Darkus_Markus

    What am I doing wrong ? RX10IV sharpness

    Hello there, I'm certainly no photography expert and while the RX10 is still pretty new to me I'm often happy with the results I get. However, I've had a few cases recently where when photographing a seemingly 'easy' subject the results don't seem that great. Take the attached Slav grebe for...
  7. Darkus_Markus

    Lost on choosing tripod and head for my first scope

    Just echoing etudiants recommendation for Velbon. I'd certainly recommend the Velbon Sherpa 200R with PH157Q Panhead. In the UK it can be picked up for around £85 and for me is the perfect match for a scope like the smaller Kowa's and the Nikon ED50. I've even been using it with a 65mm scope...
  8. Darkus_Markus

    Travelscope help needed

    Not sure of your budget but the Kowa 553 is a stunning little scope. It is however on the pricey side. Worth looking at though. This may be of interest... http://www.birdwatching.com/optics/2018_Kowa_scope/kowa-tsn-553-review.html
  9. Darkus_Markus

    Red-Throated Divers...

    Thanks all, very useful info. After some other research I'm thinking Tromsø might be the place. Distance wise everything looks very compact, so could hire a cycle and explore the surrounding area. Looks a lovely place.
  10. Darkus_Markus

    Red-Throated Divers...

    Hi All, I had a thread on here asking advice for viewing BTD's back in Jan last year (a big thanks to all those who responded.) Since then I've had some fantastic views. In the search for BTD's I've had some great views of GND and RTD but they were always rather fleeting. With that in mind I...
  11. Darkus_Markus

    Mallorca 2019

    Just returned from a few days in Mallorca, alas birding was few and far between but managed some lifers... Black-winged stilts (on road to Es Trenc and salt flats) Woodchat Shrike (on road to Es Trenc) Hoopoe (on road to Es trenc and Cala Blava) Kentish Plover (road to Es trenc, S'albufera)...
  12. Darkus_Markus

    Mallorca Advice please...

    Hello, I'm travelling to the island for a week on Saturday, staying in Palma. Alas I won't be able to devote too much time to birding, but will have a car. Just wondered if people could recommend some spots for Black-winged stilts and Woodchat Shrike ? Or any must visit places (bird wise)? I...
  13. Darkus_Markus

    Longer lens or larger sensor ?...

    Thanks guys, some food for thought there. Interestingly on camera shake, I often find my video looks sharper than my stills. Perhaps I'm subconsciously holding the camera more steadily when recording.
  14. Darkus_Markus

    Longer lens or larger sensor ?...

    Currently using an Fz330 which generally performs pretty well. Though I find a lot of issues with images being out of focus, as such I'm considering an upgrade to either a Nikon p900 or a Sony RX10 iii (any other recommendations considered) My question is exemplified by looking at the attached...
  15. Darkus_Markus

    Phonescoping guide

    Thanks for posting, that's going to be an extremely useful resource.
  16. Darkus_Markus

    PhoneSkope Lollipop UA

    Anyone had any experience with this one ? I have an Otterbox case for my phone so am looking for a Universal Apapter to save changing cases all the time, the Swarovski UA looks pretty good but is currently out of my price range. The Lollipop still seems extremely expensive for what it is, but...
  17. Darkus_Markus

    Upgrade from Nikon ED series...

    Quick update, I managed to get a pretty good deal on a used ATM HD -20-50 W. Initial thoughts, at 25x the FOV is significantly narrower than the ED50 with the 27x. The view is actually alot more similar to the ED82 with the 30x. So if I decide to keep it I'll definitely have to practice the...
  18. Darkus_Markus

    Upgrade from Nikon ED series...

    Alexis, In a word ...yes. I think when comparing the ED50 (x27) and ED82 (x30) The image feels larger (not just the extra x3 mag) and thus more detail is visible. I've always enjoyed the view through my ED50 but certainly possible it isn't a perfect example. I really noticed this detail...
  19. Darkus_Markus

    Upgrade from Nikon ED series...

    After a trip to Scotland last week (in which I was using the ED50 and ED82 side by side) I really noticed the difference in detail when comparing the two. No real surprises there, but made me realise I'd like something with a bit more clarity and a decent zoom for travelling. (I'll keep the ED82...
  20. Darkus_Markus

    Wood Warbler in Scotland...

    Thanks Gordon. Have just received a copy of your book, looks fantastic...can't wait to use it up north.
  21. Darkus_Markus

    Wood Warbler in Scotland...

    I'm going to be travelling through Aviemore and Assynt over the coming weeks, and wondered if anyone had any good spots for observing / hearing Wood Warbler ? I believe the woods near Loch An Eilein can be good, any other spots much appreciated. Thanks
  22. Darkus_Markus

    I don't completely love the ED50

    I have the ED50 and ED82 and x27, x30, x38 and MCII zoom and absolutely love them, I'm not a huge fan of the zoom but the DS eyepieces are fantastic. If you really want something that small to feel like the ED82 you could consider the Kowa 553. I had the opportunity to compare one to the ED50...
  23. Darkus_Markus

    Upgrade from Nikon ED series...

    Thanks for the input all. Yes that MM4 77 looks very interesting, It would be nice if there was a new zoom to go with it as I believe the current compatible zoom has a max of x45. Found some more info here... http://www.birders-store.co.uk/opticron-mm4-77-ga-ed45-body.html I wonder if...
  24. Darkus_Markus

    Upgrade from Nikon ED series...

    I own the Nikon ED50 and ED82 and think they're both great. Critically though there's two things I don't like... ED50 - lack of clarity and detail as it's a smaller objective scope. ED82 - Size and weight, especially when coupled with a sturdy tripod. I use the 27x and 30x DS eyepieces most...
  25. Darkus_Markus

    Tripod and head combo for ED50

    Another recommendation for the Sherpa200 / ED50 combo here. All feels very nicely balanced.
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