Digiscope Exposure Problems (1 Viewer)

We have a Sony, DSC-N2 camera and are using it coupled with a Zeiss 85mm scope with the variable eyepiece for digiscoping. We are experiencing a lot of problems in achieving sharp, clear photos. Could anybody shed some light on what the correct camera settings should be or should we go to the 30x eyepiece? Thanks in advance, any help would be greatly appreciated.
T

I'm not familiar with the DSC-N2 camera, so I can only offer some general recommendations:

camera lens / eyepiece distance: make sure that at lowest zoom setting on camera and scope that the vignette circle is clear and sharp.
focusing: use either Autofocus, or some folks like Macro settings
ISO: set it at 200 to 400 to start, and shoot Aperture priority - this will give you the fastest shutter speeds possible.
Sunlight: digiscoping is difficult on cloudy days, so limit your outings to sunny days to start, and expect only record shots for cloudy days.
Center-weighted averaging: use this for exposing properly on your subject
Continuous shooting mode: if the camera allows several frames to be shot in a row, then use this setting - the first images tend to be soft, but 2nd and 3rd can be much sharper, especially if your subject is moving.
Distance: Limit the scope's eyepiece zoom to 20X and don't zoom the camera more than 3-4X. You'll get more light and sharper images. The Zeiss 20-60X does a lousy job between 30-50X zooming and is ok at 60X, but vibrations are magnified and digiscoping is much more difficult.
Use a cable release if possible, if not, put as much weight into your tripod/setup as possible to minimize vibration.
Cut back on your digiscoping distances - moisture in the air, and vibrations can soften image quality.

Hope these help,

Best,

Tiercel -

The previous advice is all correct, but you first need to evaluate whether your sharpness problems are focusing , camera / scope motion, or a combination of both.

Try a backyard test - set up a shiny round Xmas tree ornament in the sunshine. Go back 50 feet or so and focus on the sun's reflection on the ornament (the "highlight" in a bird's eye). Take photos at different settings, and view them on the computer. Blow up the image to look at the "spot" - if it is a squiggle, slash, crescent, zig-zag, or Nike Swoosh, you are getting camera / scope vibration into your photos.

If the sun reflection is a fuzzy circle, then your camera is stable, but the focus needs improvement OR there was enough heat shimmer to degrade the image (this can even happen at relatively close range).

Once you have a good idea of where the problems lie, then you can take corrective measures.

Clay Taylor

Helpful tip Clay.

Andy Bright also has some good tips which can be read at the beginning of this forum.