Just thought of using a scope I have (1 Viewer)

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skyhawk

Member

• Apr 28, 2019

• #1

Which is a 72mm Ed see attached, for birding.

I am NOT into birding except when out and visit the occasional nature reserve, same with photography so how do people feel about the use of Astronomical scopes for birding.

It will be on my Gitzo tripod.

Seen in the photo in it's usual configuration as a Ha scope

Thanks

 

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delia todd

If I said the wrong thing it was a Senior Moment

Staff member

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Apr 28, 2019

• #2

Hi Skyhawk and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators.

This is a rather specialist subject, so I've moved your post to the Telescope forum, where there's some experts who I'm sure will be able to help you.

I see you're subscribed to this thread, so you should be able to find it easily, as you will be notified of any replies and just need to click on the link provided.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.

 

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skyhawk

Member

• Apr 28, 2019

• #3

delia todd said:

Hi Skyhawk and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators.

This is a rather specialist subject, so I've moved your post to the Telescope forum, where there's some experts who I'm sure will be able to help you.

I see you're subscribed to this thread, so you should be able to find it easily, as you will be notified of any replies and just need to click on the link provided.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.

Click to expand...

Thank you

 

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Gzoladz74

Well-known member

• Apr 28, 2019

• #4

What's the weight and magnification? If less than 2 or 3kg with tripod and the minimum magnification lower than 35x/40x maybe...?

 

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jring

Well-known member

• Apr 28, 2019

• #5

Hi,

if you can put it on a regular tripod with a video head, remove the daystar and use an EP for 30x or a zoom, you're going to be fine...
Everything will be mirrored left-right, you need an amici prism to change that, but one gets used to the reverse view pretty fast...

Joachim

 

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skyhawk

Member

• Apr 28, 2019

• #6

jring said:

Hi,

if you can put it on a regular tripod with a video head, remove the daystar and use an EP for 30x or a zoom, you're going to be fine...
Everything will be mirrored left-right, you need an amici prism to change that, but one gets used to the reverse view pretty fast...

Joachim

Click to expand...

As I said the Quark is for Ha only

I am happy with my Gitzo tripod and I have a video head, thanks, the eyepiece I am using I should have said is the

https://www.baader-planetarium.com/...l-zoom-mark-iv-8-24mm-eyepiece-(1¼"--2").html

What I should have asked is why more people don't use good scopes like this ? for general purpose.

I think many would like to get a scope but think they need a dedicated birding one

 

mooreorless

Well-known member

• Apr 28, 2019

• #7

https://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/485692/ppuser/28262

 

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skyhawk

Member

• Apr 28, 2019

• #8

 

S

skyhawk

Member

• Apr 28, 2019

• #9

:t:

 

J

jring

Well-known member

• Apr 29, 2019

• #10

skyhawk said:

What I should have asked is why more people don't use good scopes like this ? for general purpose.

Click to expand...

Hi,

well the reason for not using an astro scope for birding is usually weight (the ED is 2kg without diagonal), a 77mm spotter will be around 1,2kg and doesn't need a diagonal) and lack of waterproofing and armouring.

Those reasons are of course not absolute show stoppers - astro scopes are being used for bird photography by some (see the digiscoping forum above) - mainly the Synta FPL 53 doublets.

Joachim

 

PYRTLE

Old Berkshire Boy

• Apr 29, 2019

• #11

skyhawk said:

What I should have asked is why more people don't use good scopes like this ? for general purpose.
I think many would like to get a scope but think they need a dedicated birding one

Click to expand...

Quite simply, they are too fragile, cumbersome to carry and set up, and lastly frustrating to use due to the mirror system (reverse panning when following moving birds).
Back in the 70 and 80s the scope was a Questar. Not seen one used in the field for twenty years. As earlier replied, a dedicated birding scope is fairly rugged, waterproof and easy to transport and use.

 

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skyhawk

Member

• Apr 29, 2019

• #12

Thanks all.

Therefore I will be better off with my binoculars when fairly close, thanks

 

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wllmspd

Well-known member

• Apr 29, 2019

• #13

Welcome! I regularly use a 66mm zenithstar ED scope with 45degree erecting diagonal and an ultrawide eyepiece at 30x. Yes it’s a bit heavier than a dedicated bird scope, but the views are great. I get a choice of nice wide eyepieces, it’s robustly made and I found a cover that fits it well. I’ve “upgraded” to add a “second eye” with a pair of APM 70mm binoculars, great wide and detailed views, no squinting. Of course if I am hiking about long distances then I’ll take stabilised binoculars instead. Different needs, different tools. Enjoy the views, go wide!

PEterW