Some people (from reports I've read) find this adapter difficult to use, presumably because of the limited F-number. I could be wrong about this, and the latest model might have variable aperture built it.
Hi all,
I have used the TLS800 a lot recently (mostly coupled with a Canon 5D mark II but also smaller DSLRs) and have really enjoyed it particularly because it was so easy to use. With decent light and a higher ISO (not a problem with the full format) I have taken some very nice free-hand photos, tracking flying birds. Doing this with any normal adapter is always difficult.
Note that it gives a fixed aperture of F9, and that fast shutter speeds will be hard to get without good light, so fast moving subjects will present problems. User reviews seem mixed...
The TLS800 suffers from not allowing any aperture control, it is essentially always wide open giving you the fastest shutter speed possible. On an 80mm scope, the focal length of 800mm would give you an f10 aperture (800/80). This is no worse than any other digiscoping setup: e.g.
DSLR with 50mm fixed objective lens
Adapter
20-60x Eyepiece
80mm Telescope
This means that at the minimum ocular zoom, the system would have a focal length of 1000mm.
f = 1000mm/80mm = 12.5
i.e. under the same light conditions, the TLS800 would give a faster shutter speed than the "regular" setup. This is just a factor of focal length.
Felipe,
I think Steve has given you some good advice. It is important that you can return your purchase if you find its not what you expected. Personaly I know very little about the TLS 800. As I understand it, and I could be wrong, when using this adaptor you remove both the scope EP & the camera lens then the adaptor fits inbetween the two making the scope the equivalent of an 800m lens. I would find this set up limiting I think, but then again I know little about photography.
May I suggest you do some more research before you buy then you can be sure your getting what you want. ATB, Neil.
As Neil points out, this adapter requires you to remove the scope's eyepiece in order to attach the camera. This makes for a very stable and sturdy setup, but it also means that switching between observation and photography is more difficult.
If you are more in to taking good photographs easily in a relatively light package, then the TLS800 may be for you. You may then want to carry an eyepiece in your pocket (as I tend to do) or just use the camera's viewfinder for observation.
If you are more likely to use your scope for observation with the occasional digiscoped photo, then I would suggest the UCA.
I took tons of photos with both of these setups (and a small Canon EOS 1000D) when I was in Africa last Austral winter:
http://alpinebirds.blogspot.com/search/label/Africa
I have attached an image I took using the TLS800, and a crop of the same image, focussed on the bird's face. The image size has been scaled down so that it fit as an attachment, but I think it will give an idea of just how much detail this adapter can harness.
The quality of the image from the TLS800 continually astounds me - great resolution and edge sharpness. This is a great piece of kit.
I have more TLS800 images and posts on my blog. e.g. here:
http://alpinebirds.blogspot.com/2009/12/canon-5d-mark-ii-digiscoping-with.html
Happy digiscoping :t:
Dale