Bino-scoping

Stewart J. · Saturday 28th May 2005, 22:17

Yo all, just spent 2 weeks birding in NE Bulgaria (will try and post report next week) and a wonderful holiday it was, lots of good birds. One afternoon whilst slowly driving down very minor road near Cape Kaliakra came across a Roller perched on fence post. Took no notice when we stopped car (and engine) to watch him. Wifey suggested I try to get a photo, only have a 5mp Olympus digi with a 3 x zoom so image was miniscule.

Thought I'd try to improve things by photographing thro my bino's, they are Nikon 8 x 42 HGls and the soft rubber eye cups pull well out and much to my suprise fitted snugly around the camera lense barrel and allowed sufficient room to zoom the lense out to cut out vignetting. Chuffed with results, not brill I know but makes a nice desktop.

Anyone else had acceptable results using this or similar methods?

Stewart

Mickymouse · Saturday 28th May 2005, 22:29

I would be well pleased with those photos in fact they have inspired me to have a go at that method.

Mick

**IanF** · Sunday 29th May 2005, 06:26

Very good indeed. I'd be very happy with them as well.

robinm · Sunday 29th May 2005, 06:28

Hi Stewart,

I'd be chuffed to get as good a photo of this cracking bird.

John N · Sunday 29th May 2005, 06:54

Hi Stewart,I am another who would be very happy with these results. Well done. John.

timmyjones · Sunday 29th May 2005, 07:34

what an exellent photo what camera was it?

Stewart J. · Sunday 29th May 2005, 08:00

Thanks for all the kind comments guys, Tim camera used is a Olympus Camedia C-5000.

Stewart

Mary · Sunday 29th May 2005, 14:59

Hello Stewart
Fabulous photos! I've had a go at doing this from home, but find that the digital camera keeps switching off, just when a bird arrives! Haven't had much luck so far, but will keep trying, having seen yours!
Mary

RecoveringScot · Sunday 29th May 2005, 15:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stewart J.

Yo all, just spent 2 weeks birding in NE Bulgaria (will try and post report next week) and a wonderful holiday it was, lots of good birds. One afternoon whilst slowly driving down very minor road near Cape Kaliakra came across a Roller perched on fence post. Took no notice when we stopped car (and engine) to watch him. Wifey suggested I try to get a photo, only have a 5mp Olympus digi with a 3 x zoom so image was miniscule.

Thought I'd try to improve things by photographing thro my bino's, they are Nikon 8 x 42 HGls and the soft rubber eye cups pull well out and much to my suprise fitted snugly around the camera lense barrel and allowed sufficient room to zoom the lense out to cut out vignetting. Chuffed with results, not brill I know but makes a nice desktop.

Anyone else had acceptable results using this or similar methods?

Stewart

Nice photos.

It depends what you call acceptable. These:

http://philip.fotoblog.me.uk/c334391.html

are some snaps I've taken by holding an Olympus C120 (2 mp) up to the telescope eyepiece. If there's any kind of movement quality deteriorates instantly, but some are passable for my purposes (record only).

Okie · Monday 30th May 2005, 00:21

What a great idea! I would love to have a quality binocular/digital camera, but even if I had the money, I wouldn't know what brand to decide on.

Karl J · Monday 30th May 2005, 07:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mary

Hello Stewart
Fabulous photos! I've had a go at doing this from home, but find that the digital camera keeps switching off, just when a bird arrives! Haven't had much luck so far, but will keep trying, having seen yours!
Mary

Hi Mary, on my camera if you press the button in half way it 'reactivates' it so you can keep the camera from turning off

Yes Stewart i've done this at times as well though i wouldn't make any claims as to the standard of my pictures (!) ...seems to me much easier than trying to do it through a scope. Good photo

CJW · Monday 30th May 2005, 07:57

Not bad for you Stew'

Looking forward to reading the trip report.

Stewart J. · Monday 30th May 2005, 08:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJW

Not bad for you Stew'

Looking forward to reading the trip report.

Praise indeed, when you off mate?

Stewart

PS Had 160+ species (no checklist with us so had to keep a roliing count)

salty · Monday 30th May 2005, 09:02

fantastic effort stewart, not bad at all.

been doing abit of bino-scoping myself now and again, sometimes i just cant get the focus right, but you can still get a half decent image.

i use a samsung mobile with 1m pixel camera, held to my leica ultravids.

CJW · Monday 30th May 2005, 09:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stewart J.

Praise indeed, when you off mate?

Stewart

PS Had 160+ species (no checklist with us so had to keep a roliing count)

We're not going back to Bulgaria this year, but are doing South Africa in November. Seems like forever away!

Colin · Monday 30th May 2005, 14:56

If taking pictures with a digital camera through a telescope is called digiscoping, then this technique must be called digibinning but not to be confused with the act of throwing your binnies into the bin when you have failed to see something!!!!

Gill Osborne · Tuesday 7th June 2005, 23:08

LOL I've been tempted many times in the past Colin

And take up knitting or embroidery or some other suitably 'girlie' hobby

Great pic of a stunning bird......I NEED to see one of those!!! WOW!!!!!!

Gill

Saturday 28th May 2005, 22:17	#1
Stewart J. Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Southwest Northumberland UK Posts: 4,399 My location	Bino-scoping Yo all, just spent 2 weeks birding in NE Bulgaria (will try and post report next week) and a wonderful holiday it was, lots of good birds. One afternoon whilst slowly driving down very minor road near Cape Kaliakra came across a Roller perched on fence post. Took no notice when we stopped car (and engine) to watch him. Wifey suggested I try to get a photo, only have a 5mp Olympus digi with a 3 x zoom so image was miniscule. Thought I'd try to improve things by photographing thro my bino's, they are Nikon 8 x 42 HGls and the soft rubber eye cups pull well out and much to my suprise fitted snugly around the camera lense barrel and allowed sufficient room to zoom the lense out to cut out vignetting. Chuffed with results, not brill I know but makes a nice desktop. Anyone else had acceptable results using this or similar methods? Stewart Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Stewart J. : Saturday 28th May 2005 at 22:32.
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Saturday 28th May 2005, 22:29	#2
Mickymouse Ubuntu Linux user Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ramsgate, Kent Posts: 2,563 My location	I would be well pleased with those photos in fact they have inspired me to have a go at that method. Mick
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Sunday 29th May 2005, 06:26	#3
IanF Moderator Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Billingham, NE England Posts: 55,865 My location	Very good indeed. I'd be very happy with them as well. __________________ Durham Bird Club -Teesmouth Bird Club---RSPB Saltholme---Durham Birding---Local patch - Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park
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Sunday 29th May 2005, 06:28	#4
robinm Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kent, England Posts: 19,003 My location	Hi Stewart, I'd be chuffed to get as good a photo of this cracking bird.
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Sunday 29th May 2005, 06:54	#5
John N Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Sedgley, West Midlands. England. Posts: 15,180 My location	Hi Stewart,I am another who would be very happy with these results. Well done. John.
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Sunday 29th May 2005, 07:34	#6
timmyjones Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: York, England Posts: 1,669	what an exellent photo what camera was it? __________________ Tim Jones My Blog Me on Twitter

Sunday 29th May 2005, 08:00	#7
Stewart J. Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Southwest Northumberland UK Posts: 4,399 My location	Thanks for all the kind comments guys, Tim camera used is a Olympus Camedia C-5000. Stewart
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Sunday 29th May 2005, 14:59	#8
Mary Registered User BF Supporter 2018 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Warks Posts: 1,340	Hello Stewart Fabulous photos! I've had a go at doing this from home, but find that the digital camera keeps switching off, just when a bird arrives! Haven't had much luck so far, but will keep trying, having seen yours! Mary
	BF Supporter 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Support BirdForum With A Donation

Monday 30th May 2005, 00:21	#10
Okie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Oklahoma, USA Posts: 20	What a great idea! I would love to have a quality binocular/digital camera, but even if I had the money, I wouldn't know what brand to decide on.

Monday 30th May 2005, 07:57	#12
CJW Hit-and-run WUM Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Isle of Man Posts: 4,861	Not bad for you Stew' Looking forward to reading the trip report. __________________ Chris

Monday 30th May 2005, 09:02	#14
salty geordie birder Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: newcastle upon tyne Posts: 9,303 My location	fantastic effort stewart, not bad at all. been doing abit of bino-scoping myself now and again, sometimes i just cant get the focus right, but you can still get a half decent image. i use a samsung mobile with 1m pixel camera, held to my leica ultravids. Attached Thumbnails
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Monday 30th May 2005, 14:56	#16
Colin Axeman (Retired) Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In an old people's home in Herefordshire(UK) Posts: 2,606 Blog Entries: 29	If taking pictures with a digital camera through a telescope is called digiscoping, then this technique must be called digibinning but not to be confused with the act of throwing your binnies into the bin when you have failed to see something!!!! __________________ *Colin*
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Tuesday 7th June 2005, 23:08	#17
Gill Osborne Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Alnwick Posts: 6,479	LOL I've been tempted many times in the past Colin And take up knitting or embroidery or some other suitably 'girlie' hobby Great pic of a stunning bird......I NEED to see one of those!!! WOW!!!!!! Gill
	BF Supporter 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Support BirdForum With A Donation

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