Ultralight tripod needed - under 800g (3 Viewers)

[Winterdune]

I use

a. 20-45x (on the 60mm Fieldscopes) = 13,3-30x on the ED50 (early units without multicoating, later units are multicoated)
b. 20-60x (on the 60mm Fieldscopes) = 13,3-40x on the ED50 (all units are multi-coated)

In other words: The ED50 has two thirds the focal length of the 60mm Fieldscopes. So you divide the magnification of any given Nikon eyepiece by 3 and multiply the result by 2.

Hermann

Thanks Hermann. I used to have the zoom and occasionally used it on the ED82 before I sold the scope and several eyepieces on Bird forum. I remember putting the zoom on the ED50 a couple of times but I hated the narrow fov. I use the ED50 with the x27 which I think is superb.

 

[4John]

I use

Thanks Hermann. I used to have the zoom and occasionally used it on the ED82 before I sold the scope and several eyepieces on Bird forum. I remember putting the zoom on the ED50 a couple of times but I hated the narrow fov. I use the ED50 with the x27 which I think is superb.

I agree the x27 is superb - I have one. I think someone on this forum likened the view through the 13-30 zoom as like looking through a drinking straw . Nevertheless I have the 13-40 MCII zoom, which after several months of swapping backwards and forwards with the x27 now stays on the scope. I find I only need 13-20 most of the time and in poor light, particularly towards evening on a dull day, I found the x27 was too dark, whereas the zoom still had usable magnification below X27 and I got fed up with changing eyepieces. I also found I occasionally wanted more than x27 magnification, but by the time I had switched eyepieces the bird had gone. As before, there are no right or wrong answers - we all adapt our kit for the best fit to what we do which can take years.

 

[Hermann]

4John:

That was an excellent post. It shows how many considerations go into deciding what you use and what works best for you to come to a seemingly simple decision: Which eyepiece works best for my use of an ED50 - and why?

And your last sentence is something everyone, especially newbies, need to bear in mind! If someone were to write a newbie guide on choosing a scope (and eyepieces) - and maybe someone should, choosing a scope is IMO a lot more complex than choosing binoculars - that sentence surely needs to be in it.

BTW, I'm sure you could add a similar analysis about the support system (tripod, monopod, head) you use.

Hermann

 

[fazalmajid]

The Oben CQL-13 is very lightweight and has a unique single-twist unlocking feature. It’s only available in the US, though (I got mine from B&H). I’ve never used it with a spotter, however.

 

[Rotherbirder]

Absolutely - each to their own. Ultralight hiking set up?

I carry my binoculars round my neck and my ED50 scope on a Velbon RUP-4 monopod (nla) 470g with a Velbon QRA-3 Quick release head (nla) 54g, total weight 524g with a folddown foot robbed from one of these :

Konig KN-TRIPOD45 Aluminium Monopod Single Leg Tripod extendable | eBay

It's perfectly useable up to the x40 maximum magnification of the Nikon ED50 zoom (light and atmospheric conditions permitting) with the foot down, and my foot on it. I use a safety line from a D ring on the ED50 case to the top of the monopod just in case the scope becomes loose on the QR plate, as there's no anti-rotation pin. I either carry the monopod with scope attached in my hand, or slung from my shoulder on a strap like a rifle.

Out of interest, how did you fit the 'robbed' foot onto your monopod? Did you use the same method as on the Konig and drill the tube? I wouldn't fancy doing that to my monopod. Perhaps there's an alternative, non-permanent way to do it; I'll have to give it some thought.

RB

 

[4John]

Out of interest, how did you fit the 'robbed' foot onto your monopod? Did you use the same method as on the Konig and drill the tube? I wouldn't fancy doing that to my monopod. Perhaps there's an alternative, non-permanent way to do it; I'll have to give it some thought.

RB

Rotherbirder,

No didn't drill the tube. The Konig monopod fold down foot is a brilliantly simple, very lightweight and cost-effective solution let down by a slightly sloppy fit in the hole in the bottom section of the monopod. You can easily remove the foot and pack out the hole with something like a nylon top-hat washer, but I designed and made a small wooden adaptor that slides over the bottom tube on my Velbon monopod and clamps to it. I then drilled holes for the fold down foot in the back. I have been using this arrangement for around 10 years without a problem. I can post a photo if it helps. It's ideal for 3D printing if you have the skills and access to the equipment.

 

[Rotherbirder]

Rotherbirder,

No didn't drill the tube. The Konig monopod fold down foot is a brilliantly simple, very lightweight and cost-effective solution let down by a slightly sloppy fit in the hole in the bottom section of the monopod. You can easily remove the foot and pack out the hole with something like a nylon top-hat washer, but I designed and made a small wooden adaptor that slides over the bottom tube on my Velbon monopod and clamps to it. I then drilled holes for the fold down foot in the back. I have been using this arrangement for around 10 years without a problem. I can post a photo if it helps. It's ideal for 3D printing if you have the skills and access to the equipment.

I think I can follow but a picture would be useful, please .

RB

 

[4John]

I think I can follow but a picture would be useful, please .

RB

I have just remembered that I think I posted a photo some time ago in another thread. Let me have a look through my posts and I will post a link.

 

[4John]

I think I can follow but a picture would be useful, please .

RB

This is the picture I posted earlier this year. The body is made of wood because it's easy to work, cheap to prototype, and only requires basic tools. It's also ideal for 3D printing if you are able to generate the right files. The metal inserts for the tube clamp bolt and the foot are designed to be threaded into wood. The front bolt clamps the body onto the 20mm diameter bottom section of the monopod and the rear metal threaded inserts are drilled out to 6mm which fits the bent metal foot perfectly and makes a rudimentary bearing. The sides of the bent metal foot are held together with a zip tie. There is no slack/slop in this arrangement. If you would like more information don't hesitate to ask. I note from reading my 10 year old posts that I bought the Konig monopod for around £7, which made robbing the foot economical. As it's now around £20 modding the Konig might be more cost-effective !

 

[billb9430]

Sean, Here's little different approach to "lightweight tripod" for folks who use hiking poles and travel with another person. This does require some minor do-it-yourself building and simple assembly each time it is deployed, but it is VERY light carry weight, ideal for hikers and even backpackers who want an absolute minimum for tripod weight. How about under 100 grams? I posted about this in 2016 here:

Hiking Pole Tripod for Ultimate "Lightweight Carry" with the Nikon ED50

That post contains a link to my initial 2015 post with more detail.

While this tripod is too light for use on windy days unless the pole ends are anchored with piles of rocks, it does allow sharing views with others, unlike a monopod.

 

[Montereyman]

Best bet is to check the BH Photo website and use their filters to find tripods at the collapsed length, working height, and weight that you want. The reviews by other customers can alert you to problems with the tripods. I do this procedure even when I may be buying the item from another source.