Camera "Dot" Sight: I am wonder if anyone here uses one of these. They are not laser. Any recommendations on one? I would use it for bird photography. Thanks...Marsha...

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

I am wonder if anyone here uses one of these. They are not laser. Any recommendations on one? I would use it for bird photography.
Thanks...Marsha

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

I have one that I use for birding with a long lens. It's very helpful to site the bird with the lens out- otherwise you are looking around for the bird that got away while you were looking. The biggest pain is that I seem to undo the calibration by accidentally rotating the dial. It happens more often than I like. And I have had it fall off even though I thought it was securely attached. Go figure. Anyway a worthwhile purchase.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Get a red dot sight with a hot shoe foot, about $70-100. Yes, you have to crank it down tight so it doesn't move too much. Not a deal breaker though. The bird will still be in close vicinity to your sight.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Pixelpixie88 wrote:

I am wonder if anyone here uses one of these. They are not laser. Any recommendations on one? I would use it for bird photography.
Thanks...Marsha

I have used them for several years on my 600 and 800mm lenses, they make acquiring a moving subject MUCH easier. You really do need a GOOD FITTING hotshoe mount though, loose fitting mounts are a real detriment as the sight moves all over easily.

vonzip Loc: cape cod

suntouched wrote:

I have one that I use for birding with a long lens. It's very helpful to site the bird with the lens out- otherwise you are looking around for the bird that got away while you were looking. The biggest pain is that I seem to undo the calibration by accidentally rotating the dial. It happens more often than I like. And I have had it fall off even though I thought it was securely attached. Go figure. Anyway a worthwhile purchase.

I heard that one guy on this forum put tape over the calibration knobs to avoid such a problem.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

FWIW, A Red Dot sight has increased my bird shot keepers by 300%.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Yes, what MT said.
They work great and he sells a very good adapter to use since most are made to mount on a picatinny rail on a gun.
You don't need a high end sight since on a camera it doesn't need to survive heavy recoil. I have two, that look alike but with different names I got from Amazon.

This is the one I have been using the longest: http://www.amazon.com/Aim-Sports-Sight-Different-Reticles/dp/B002ZVFF20/ref=zg_bs_3307789011_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=X859B9WD4EVHQBEZMQDY

It was also the least expensive, the adapter will cost more. I have one of MT's adapters and a $10 one from a company that went out of business.

I also have two hot shoe splitters so I can mount a flash at the same time. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dsporting&field-keywords=hot+shoe+splitter

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

MT Shooter wrote:

I have used them for several years on my 600 and 800mm lenses, they make acquiring a moving subject MUCH easier. You really do need a GOOD FITTING hotshoe mount though, loose fitting mounts are a real detriment as the sight moves all over easily.

What would you recommend for a good fitting one?

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

robertjerl wrote:

Yes, what MT said. br They work great and he sells... (show quote)

Wonderful info...Thank you!

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

vonzip wrote:

I heard that one guy on this forum put tape over the calibration knobs to avoid such a problem.

That's a great idea...thanks!

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

suntouched wrote:

I have one that I use for birding with a long lens. It's very helpful to site the bird with the lens out- otherwise you are looking around for the bird that got away while you were looking. The biggest pain is that I seem to undo the calibration by accidentally rotating the dial. It happens more often than I like. And I have had it fall off even though I thought it was securely attached. Go figure. Anyway a worthwhile purchase.

Thank you....nice to know that it's easier to site the bird...I was hoping for that!

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Pixelpixie88 wrote:

What would you recommend for a good fitting one?

The best I have found is the Xtend a sight from Photosolve. Perfect fit, no movement.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

The two I have do not have calibration knobs, you need an allen wrench to adjust elevation and windage (comes with the sight).
The mounts do move when they get bumped, but I have gotten where I can realign the mounts quickly - aim at something and take a shot - view with center focus point showing and adjust, with practice it only takes me one or two shots to get back on target.

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

MT Shooter wrote:

The best I have found is the Xtend a sight from Photosolve. Perfect fit, no movement.

Will these adapters fit most any sight? What about if one is advertised for guns but doesn't mention cameras?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Pixelpixie88 wrote:

Will these adapters fit most any sight? What about if one is advertised for guns but doesn't mention cameras?

Pretty much any rail mounted sight. They are not "made" for cameras, hence the need for the adapter.
The Xtend a sight Plus includes a dovetail adapter for dovetail mount sights.