wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Again, there are adapters to mount cameras to scopes. And success will depend on distance, atmospheric conditions, and desired image quality. If nothing else, it will offer one a great view of the stars, planets, galaxies, nebula, and other night objects.

MJG Loc: Bonita Springs, FL

Thanks for sharing your zooming experiences. I am going to keep trying to get some focused photos through my telescope with the PhotoScope attached. Maybe I’ll work on or replace the tripod - good idea. It would certainly be cheaper than a new camera. Meanwhile I saw some really big brown pelicans sitting on the island through the telescope. I look out my 6th floor window to the little tidal island about 1/2 mile(pure guess) out in the bay. I also hadn’t realized how careful I need to be to wait for clear and still atmospheric conditions.

MJG Loc: Bonita Springs, FL

You guys are so much more knowledgeable than I am. Math was never my forte. You’re very helpful but I’m afraid I’m a hopeless point and shooter. Thanks for trying.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

If you think that any of us "much more knowledgeable" photographers were born with all that knowledge, I have some stock in the Brooklyn Bridge I want to sell you. In all seriousness, you only need to learn what you need for to obtain the photos you want.

While participating in a professional photography guild in my area, we had a guest pro give a lecture to our guild. He was national known and well published - and gave us an excellent lecture. After the lecture, while the last few of us were talking to him, he mentioned that this was his last stop before going to Florida. He was taking a seminar, not giving a seminar. The man had more than likely forgotten more photography knowledge than most of us had actually known. Yet we were told by this gentleman that he always took a seminar on some topic or subject every year (and not necessarily from people at his level of photography). He said some were better than others, but he always took away more than he knew before. He was always grateful and said he would always be taking courses and learning more as long as he was a photographer.

So remember that you only have to ask most of us, and if we have some knowledge that may help you, we will do our best to give it to you. Learn as much as you want on your own and the rest can come from us if we have it.

MJG Loc: Bonita Springs, FL

Thank you. In the past I’ve attended sessions, etc and benefited greatly, absorbing knowledge in my limited way. I’m down to trying to use my Phone Scope now.
This shot I just took shows my dilemma. With my iPhone 11 Pro Max NOT attached to the telescope, the island on the right had a Robinson Crusoe wannabe fishing from the little shore with his rod earlier this AM. His rowboat was anchored to the right. I wished I could have gotten that shot earlier - not visible w/o the telescope.

Flyerace Loc: Mt Pleasant, WI

There is no such thing as a low cost camera with a sharp long distance lens. Many of us are amateurs and we learned that you need a half way decent camera and a wonderful sharp long lens. Both of which will cost at least $2000.00 . You need to adjust what you want, or need to get closer to your subject.

If you are shooting over water, ie the Bay, then you are going to always have challenges to get tack sharp photos. Too much atmospheric interference. Maybe you can get higher to shoot down onto the island in the bay, or get closer, or get on the island to shoot the local critters. Good luck and have fun.

I saved for two years to purchase my latest long lens, the Nikon 200-500. It is heavy but wonderful. I no longer work and we needed a new roof. I put the bulk of my stolen house money into the roof $15,600 and just a bit into the lens. It worked because I got the lens three months ago and the new roof last month.

radiojohn

There are a ton of "superzoom" bridge cameras used on eBay for under $40.