Digi-scoping: what scope do you prefer?
Feb 21, 2017 06:02:36 #
Good morning from the far side. I have been researching which scope to buy for a dive into digi-scoping. I'd like to hear what scopes others are using with pros and cons. At the moment I have my sights set on the Redfield Rampage as it fits my budget. ( https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=Brand_Redfield&ci=1032&N=4083534116+4031180025 ) I'll be shooting mostly with our new Canon 80D and my cell phone; then possibly with the belly-up Rebel provided we can get it repaired from the err 99 discussed in another thread.
I know considerably higher quality scopes are available but with a much larger price tag. Here I'm seeking info and opinions on those in the this price range. My plan is to make this a multi-purpose scope as it will get used for it's first intended purpose with a lot of use at the rifle range followed by digi-scoping wildlife and some star gazing; then maybe spying on the neighbors---just kidding.
thanks
I know considerably higher quality scopes are available but with a much larger price tag. Here I'm seeking info and opinions on those in the this price range. My plan is to make this a multi-purpose scope as it will get used for it's first intended purpose with a lot of use at the rifle range followed by digi-scoping wildlife and some star gazing; then maybe spying on the neighbors---just kidding.
thanks
Feb 21, 2017 06:54:35 #
Irrespective of price, I'd check to see if you can get an attachment to fit your 80D to the scope. Looks reasonable for the money.
Check this site out for a lot of good info and possible alternatives.
http://www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/spotting-scopes/
Check this site out for a lot of good info and possible alternatives.
http://www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/spotting-scopes/
Feb 21, 2017 14:55:27 #
I tried daylight digiscoping with a 120mm refractor telescope and with an inexpensive ($80 used on ebay) digiscope and was not happy with the results on either. I think a sharper image can be gotten with a my kit 55-300mm zoom lens. The telescope images were just soft compared to a telephoto lens.
I have seen some great digiscope pics on flickr taken with a swarovski scope and swarovski adapter and point and shoot cameras, but that scope and adapter puts you in the same ball park cost wise as a Sigma 150-600mm sport lens. I don't know if you will get acceptable photo quality digiscoping with the Redfield, but hope you will update this post with your results if you do get it. Bear in mind, you can't capture the same bright view with a camera as you see through a scope or telescope eyepiece.
I have seen some great digiscope pics on flickr taken with a swarovski scope and swarovski adapter and point and shoot cameras, but that scope and adapter puts you in the same ball park cost wise as a Sigma 150-600mm sport lens. I don't know if you will get acceptable photo quality digiscoping with the Redfield, but hope you will update this post with your results if you do get it. Bear in mind, you can't capture the same bright view with a camera as you see through a scope or telescope eyepiece.
Feb 21, 2017 19:03:41 #
John N wrote:
Irrespective of price, I'd check to see if you can get an attachment to fit your 80D to the scope. Looks reasonable for the money.
Check this site out for a lot of good info and possible alternatives.
http://www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/spotting-scopes/
Check this site out for a lot of good info and possible alternatives.
http://www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/spotting-scopes/
Yeah, already confirmed attachments are available for that.
Feb 21, 2017 19:18:13 #
Bobspez wrote:
I tried daylight digiscoping with a 120mm refracto... (show quote)
Yeah, the light gathering capabilities are the biggest issue. That's why I'm thinking 80mm is likely the smallest objective lens I can go with. 100 would be better, but that jacks the prices way up if you buy well known brand-names.
One of the chat techs at B&H suggested a Celestron with 100mm objective that is within my budget, but there were too many bad reviews for my tastes. The Redfield on the other hand had some very good reviews.
I will likely get the Redfield for it's primary duty at the range and report back here with results of any digi-scoping I do with it.
May 28, 2017 16:45:47 #
Well folks, I made it to retirement and purchased a Redfield Rampage spotting scope (20--60x 80mm objective lens) to use for digiscoping (among other things).
Here are a few of my first attempts with the Canon 80D. There is going to be a big learning curve, I can see that, but I think I will be able to fill a lot of retirement time with this hobby.
So far the most difficult thing for me has been allowing enough elevation for tri-pod flex. Seems to be about 1 to 1.5 frame widths at full 60x. Second is learning how to quickly find my subject in the frame. Have figured out that starting at 20x then zooming in is the easiest.
Critique and offer advice please. (but please no "buy better equipment" statements-I bought within my budget already)
Here are a few of my first attempts with the Canon 80D. There is going to be a big learning curve, I can see that, but I think I will be able to fill a lot of retirement time with this hobby.
So far the most difficult thing for me has been allowing enough elevation for tri-pod flex. Seems to be about 1 to 1.5 frame widths at full 60x. Second is learning how to quickly find my subject in the frame. Have figured out that starting at 20x then zooming in is the easiest.
Critique and offer advice please. (but please no "buy better equipment" statements-I bought within my budget already)
May 29, 2017 13:17:05 #
Would be interested to know at what distance those shots were taken. I have not had much luck in getting sharp pics at distances of more than about 60 to 70 ft. with my 55-300mm lens.
K.Cole wrote:
Well folks, I made it to retirement and purchased ... (show quote)
May 29, 2017 21:12:19 #
Those were all shot at about 50ft. and ~30x. bright sunny day no post shot enhancements. I wanted to start simple and will be working my way up to more advanced shots as I get used to it all.
May 29, 2017 23:14:03 #
Here are two pics without post processing, just cropping, shot at 50 ft, handheld, with autofocus, with a 55-300mm lens on a Nikon 1 J1 with a CX sensor and the FT-1 autofocus adapter. For scale, the fence rail has a one inch diameter. I tried using my 4.75 inch refractor for digiscoping and the images were quite soft. If you can get some sharper images of small birds at 50ft., it will be quite an accomplishment.
K.Cole wrote:
Those were all shot at about 50ft. and ~30x. bright sunny day no post shot enhancements. I wanted to start simple and will be working my way up to more advanced shots as I get used to it all.
May 30, 2017 10:30:38 #
Jun 6, 2017 07:50:34 #
The learning curve continues. I finally got out again with enough moon to get some decent shots.
Jun 6, 2017 13:05:34 #
Nice moon images.
K.Cole wrote:
The learning curve continues. I finally got out again with enough moon to get some decent shots.
Jun 6, 2017 15:54:20 #
Thanks. It will be full Thursday and Friday rising at 8:17PM and 9:09PM respectively so if the clouds stay away, I should get some good shots then.
Jun 7, 2017 11:03:05 #
Jun 7, 2017 12:00:14 #
dsmeltz wrote:
What are you using for shutter release?
10 sec timer in the 80D, (2 sec wasn't long enough for it to stabilize on a wooden deck). Looking for a compatible remote, but it all seems a little confusing. When I was researching the 80, one of the techs on B&H told me the one we used with the Rebel would work, but now I cannot figure out how from reading the manual. Any suggestions are welcome.
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