The Panasonic GX8 for Digiscoping (1 Viewer)

[Neil]

I've been a bit slow in discussing the GX8 for digiscoping even though I've had it for a month. The reason being that I haven't been digiscoping much as I been shooting thrushes at a bush pond at close quarters for the last few months.
But over the last week I've taken it out on the scope 3 times and shot about 300 gigs of stills and video. I'm liking the camera a lot. The new sensor seems to do a better job on jpegs and raws than the GH4/GH3 so I use the camera more for walk around snaps as well. As it also has the panorama mode this I don't have to use my iPhone as much. I use the Leica 15 and 25 mms for the walk-around shots.
I've only used it with the new Swarovski TLS APO 23 so far ( no lens) and I've set up the third party lens preset at 1,000 mm for In-body Image Stabilisation. It appears to work for the scope. A very nice extra, even though I am on a tripod all the time there is often vibration through the wooden floors of the hides.
I will test out some other lenses on it in the coming days, subject to weather.
These are some photos from the wetlands on a cloudy/hazy day.
I've put up a video of the day here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MrC-5vdQPo&feature=em-upload_owner
Try and watch at 1440p or higher resolution if you can as original is 4k.
Neil.
Panasonic GX8 and Swarovski STX85mm and TLS APO 23 (DSLR adapter)
Mai Po Nature Reserve,
Hong Kong.
February 2016

 

[Paul Jarvis]

Thanks for this neil I've been looking at the gx8 and gh4 as an upgrade to the gh3. I have been tempted by the new 20mp sensor as this seems to be the magic number. What I've read else where the gx8 is the better stills camera for digiscoping and it's the cheaper option at the moment.

 

[Neil]

Thanks for this neil I've been looking at the gx8 and gh4 as an upgrade to the gh3. I have been tempted by the new 20mp sensor as this seems to be the magic number. What I've read else where the gx8 is the better stills camera for digiscoping and it's the cheaper option at the moment.

Yes, Paul it's a better stills camera but the GH4 is still preferred for video, but there is not much in it.
Neil.

 

[Neil]

I went back out to the wetlands again today with the GX8 on the new Swarovski TLS APO23 DSLR ADAPTER.
The light was a bit better than last time (10 days ago). Have a look at the detail on the Intermediate Egret plumes.
Neil.

Panasonic GX8 and Swarovski STX85 mm Scope and TLS APO 23
Mai Po Nature Reserve,
Hong Kong.
7th March 2016

 

[Paul Jarvis]

Great shots Neil. Superb details you've captured

 

[Neil]

I've been plowing through the video I shot on Wednesday of the breeding Great Egrets with the GX8 on the scope. These are some stills that I pulled off the 4k video after adjustment in FCP X.
Neil.
Panasonic GX8 and Swarovski STX 85 mm Scope and Swarovski TLS APO 23 ( DSLR Adapter)
March 2016

 

[Jason Bugay Reyes]

Neil,

Let say if we shoot in video and still, what would be the good camera between GH4 and GX8?

 

[Neil]

Neil,

Let say if we shoot in video and still, what would be the good camera between GH4 and GX8?

The Panasonic G7 or GF7 or the Sony A6000. The Panasonic GH3 is very good for HD video and stills are ok.Have a look here https://www.flickr.com/photos/7892550@N03/albums/72157644502160478
A lot of people are still liking the Sony RX100M3 and M4.
For low light the Sonys are better.
Neil.