Settings for P5100 (1 Viewer)

Morning all, just getting back in to doing a bit of digiscoping after a friend put me on to spot metering and spot focus (I have it set to macro as well).

I use my P5100 with my Kowa 883 with either a 20-60x Zoom generally at 20x and occasionally 30x and very rarely with the 30xWW (too much vignetting with that combo).

While I'm reasonably happy with my photos, they all appear a bit 'soft.' See here:

http://thedrunkbirder.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/wheatear_wh_25_4_10.jpg

http://thedrunkbirder.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/cuckoo_wh_25_4_10.jpg

http://thedrunkbirder.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/whitethroat_wcpn_25_4_10.jpg

http://thedrunkbirder.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/med_gull2_rw_8_4_10.jpg

I process in photoshop elements 7 and do very little. I might adjust levels and pop a bit of sharpening on, usually 100 radius and then crop.

Any tips for crisper images would be very useful.

Thanks

John

Hi Jack
A little late so I hope you pick this up. Looking at your Exif several factors are causing this issue including focal length, ISO, Mode of use amongst others.

I put a page together to help with this exact camera and a basic settings range that should give results.

http://www.wildrossendale.co.uk/Digiscoping.html

Just to tag on to late responses...your third pic isn't bad....

The first two are blurry and the last one while not bad....just isn't sharp. What was your distance from the birds when you shot, what zoom were you at on your scope? If the distance was afar and you were on full zoom, your photos will not be much better than what they are. Scopes, while great and will get you up close...can not produce a perfect image from a great distance.

Your Kowa is an excellent choice.

How are you digiscoping? Do you have an adaptor or are you just hand holding etc?

Perhaps some of your issues are not in the camera settings but on your digiscoping mechanics? ??