Here are the new modular Swarovski scopes (1 Viewer)

[horukuru]

I tested the edge sharpness between the Nikon EDG 85 and Swarovski STX 95 at raining and cloudy condition and found out :

On 30x, both scopes showed similar sharpness and I can see a bit of lateral CA on the STX 95 because of the view FOV as mentioned by Kimmo.

On 60x from the edge, I couldn't get sharpness as I hope with the EDG 85 as I was focusing from near to far using leading lines of bricks at home. The STX 95 has great sharpness from edge to the centre FOV.

But on 70x, this is where the STX 95 shows it real beauty. Wide FOV looking at those bricks, sharpness is lovely from edge to the centre wide FOV.

For contrast at 30x, similar for both scopes. At 60x, STX 95 showed a bit more than EDG 85 ...

 

[proudpapa56]

Hi again RJM, did you mean just the F ratio doesn't serve much purpose or both the F ratio and Effective Focal Length don't serve much purpose?
Thanks again for your help.

 

[RJM]

I was referring to the F ratio but now that you make me think about it, the effective focal length is also useless in practice. Only bother to calculate them for a benchmarking reference. I suspect the sweet spot for the ATX95/TLS-Apo/Nikon V1 combo is between 30x-40x scope magnification.

 

[proudpapa56]

Thanks once again.

 

[horukuru]

I'm testing my friend's Olympus EP-2 with 17mm 2.8 lens and really like the results so far. Except the shutter vibration quite obvious than Nikon V1.

At 30x, the amount of vignetting is way better than my Nikon P7000 and completely gone by 53x as seen on the first pic. The 2nd and 3rd is a Yellow-vented Bulbul and cropped 33% on the last image.

Digiscoped with STX 95 with DCB II adapter

 

[lmans66]

I tested the edge sharpness between the Nikon EDG 85 and Swarovski STX 95 at raining and cloudy condition and found out :

On 30x, both scopes showed similar sharpness and I can see a bit of lateral CA on the STX 95 because of the view FOV as mentioned by Kimmo.

On 60x from the edge, I couldn't get sharpness as I hope with the EDG 85 as I was focusing from near to far using leading lines of bricks at home. The STX 95 has great sharpness from edge to the centre FOV.

But on 70x, this is where the STX 95 shows it real beauty. Wide FOV looking at those bricks, sharpness is lovely from edge to the centre wide FOV.

For contrast at 30x, similar for both scopes. At 60x, STX 95 showed a bit more than EDG 85 ...

So for digiscoping....they are equal....but not in cost!...

You are not digiscopting at the higher zoom ranges I take it, too little light or does this new swaro have that ability? jim

 

[horukuru]

So for digiscoping....they are equal....but not in cost!... jim

In my place, Digiscoping done mainly in the rainforest with less light, so 95mm is a good addition ! For cost, there are market for these new system especially for researchers working on the field and bird guide like myself :king:

You are not digiscopting at the higher zoom ranges I take it, too little light or does this new swaro have that ability? jim

It does have the ability depending with type of cameras used on the eyepiece etc. Digiscopers know the main enemy would be vignetting and trying to get the best combo between scope, eyepiece, camera + lens etc is a never ending story.

So far, my test was done with 4 cameras with TLS APO and DCB II adapter and I'm looking for quality pictures and not merely as a record shot when I do Digiscoping

 

[feduptwo]

Whats the cheapest place anyone has found to buy the ATX65?

 

[Stephen Shaw 1]

Digiscoping forum

Hi , I recently purchased a Swarovski ATX95mm with Apo lens I am using a Panasonic GX1 and have had reasonably good results some long range some closer see link.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/t7mjorx8ycml8ci/ATFRMOxBjP?m#/

Steve

 

[salty]

Superb pics

 

[Neil]

Hi , I recently purchased a Swarovski ATX95mm with Apo lens I am using a Panasonic GX1 and have had reasonably good results some long range some closer see link.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/t7mjorx8ycml8ci/ATFRMOxBjP?m#/

Steve

Nice set Steve. Your going to have fun with your new toy.
Neil.

 

[rockfowl]

Nice set Steve. Your going to have fun with your new toy.
Neil.

Absolutely, on both counts.

 

[Neil]

I'm testing my friend's Olympus EP-2 with 17mm 2.8 lens and really like the results so far. Except the shutter vibration quite obvious than Nikon V1.

At 30x, the amount of vignetting is way better than my Nikon P7000 and completely gone by 53x as seen on the first pic. The 2nd and 3rd is a Yellow-vented Bulbul and cropped 33% on the last image.

Digiscoped with STX 95 with DCB II adapter

View attachment 430401 View attachment 430402 View attachment 430403

Looks good Jason. Does the vignetting disappear when you switch to Video Mode?
Neil.

 

[horukuru]

Looks good Jason. Does the vignetting disappear when you switch to Video Mode?
Neil.

I don't have the camera with me now but remembered I have to zoom above 50x to removed the vignetting in Video mode

 

[horukuru]

This was taken around 30 metres from the restaurant during lunch time and quite happy to see the result :king:

Digiscoped with STX 95 + TLS APO + Nikon D300s and cropped 25%

Black-shouldered Kite

 

[hinnark]

Jason,

I can't help but so far for me the images you have taken with the EDG scope, see for example in this thread here http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=180382 , seem to be a bit sharper and more contrasty than those taken with the Swaro combo. Of course this could be for reasons other than the scopes (e.g. different cameras).

Steve

 

[horukuru]

Jason,

I can't help but so far for me the images you have taken with the EDG scope, see for example in this thread here http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=180382 , seem to be a bit sharper and more contrasty than those taken with the Swaro combo. Of course this could be for reasons other than the scopes (e.g. different cameras).

Steve

Steve,

Most of my shots taken with the EDG 85 scope were using Nikon D300s at 500mm f5.9 For the STX 95 with TLS APO adapter and Nikon D300s, magnification starts from 1350mm f9.5 So the contrast between both scopes on pictures is different due to the magnification from STX 95.

I will be able only to do proper testing (longer time on the field) by end of this month onwards and compare with pictures on both scopes again.

Other example taken with STX 95 by Tara Tanaka, the winner for Digiscoping of the year 2012 http://www.flickr.com/photos/focused-on-birds/8214397190/in/photostream

 

[Stephen Shaw 1]

Digiscoped Little Owl shots

Hi , I have added some nice Peregrine and Little Owl pics shot with Swarovski ATX95mm with Apo lens I am using a Panasonic GX1

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/t7mjorx8ycml8ci/ATFRMOxBjP?m#/

 

[rockfowl]

Nice Jason!

 

[zuiko]

Neil,

I received the new TR II Telescope Rail from Swarovski today. Setting it up on the scope is fast and now the STX 95 + TLS APO / DCB II + Nikon D300s is well balance both on Manfrotto 501/502 video head and Wimberley head hahaha :king:

That's great to hear horokuru.

The only things I'm waiting on now are my tr II and a 95mm stay on case.

The 65mm stay on case arrived today and I have been loving the CT tripod with DH101 head. I had an alu Manfrotto with a cheaper video head and the DH101 is amazing compared to it.