Focusing when using Eagle Eye 5X Optic Zoom (1 Viewer)

rb_stern

Richard stern

• Oct 29, 2003

• #1

I hope this is the right place to post this. I have been trying to use an Eagle Eye Optic Zoom 5X with my CP-4500 for situations when digiscoping is not a good option (in-flight shots, close rapidly moving warblers etc.), but I'm having a very low rate of success trying to get the shot in focus. I usually use the same settings as digiscoping, and try and rotate the distal end of the Optic Zoom till the target bird appears in focus, but it seems to be a very hit and miss affair. Does anyone have any tips?

Thanks,

Richard

 

IanF

Moderator

• Oct 29, 2003

• #2

Yep, I used to have this problem too. You're doing it the way that I used to. I used to half depress the shutter as I do in digisoping to lock the camera settings and then use the EE focus to get it as near as you can. The only other thing is that there is more dopth of fieldto play with when just using the EE so if conditions are bright enough you can go for a higher f-number at the expense of the higher shutter speeds, though the EE by it's design does knock a couple of f-stops.

 

rb_stern

Richard stern

• Oct 29, 2003

• #3

Hi,

So how do you do it now?

Richard

 

Last edited by a moderator: Oct 30, 2003

Sandpiper

Mike Powell

• Oct 29, 2003

• #4

I tend to leave the EE set at approximately half-way focus distance and let my 4500 autofocus itself.

 

IanF

Moderator

• Oct 29, 2003

• #5

Hi Richard,

The 'used to' refers to the EE that I once owned - it was stolen from my car whilst on holiday in Scotland earlier this year. Sandpiper raises another good point. I 'used to' set the EE focus mid-point and then half depress the shutter. You can then fine tune the focus after that but it's fiddly. I found using the Nikon EC-ED3 x3 converter (also stolen) was far easier and gave better results, even though it was a lower power.

 

rb_stern

Richard stern

• Oct 30, 2003

• #6

Thanks,

Sorry to hear your stuff was stolen. I have a TCE-3 3X converter too - I might end up going back to that for flight shots.

 

cspratt

Well-known member

• Oct 30, 2003

• #7

I also have a the Nikon TC-E3 3X converter but haven't had too much luck with flight shots. I had better luck with a Kenko 2x converter for flight shots.