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Which camera?
A digiscoping question
A reader writes: I want to get into digiscoping. My problem is that I don't know which camera to get to go with a particular scope and digital camera adapter.
So far, no optics manufacturer makes a point-and-shoot camera especially to go with its scope and digital camera adapter. (It's odd, because it's small digital cameras that offer the greatest potential for digiscoping.)
Furthermore, new cameras come on the market all the time, and perfectly nice ones are discontinued. Makes it hard to make a recommendation that will not go out of date. There are many cameras that will work with each scope, but the manufacturers do not publish lists of which ones do (probably because cameras change so fast).
Here are some combinations that we know will work for most people.
Pentax | Swarovski | Vortex | Zeiss
These are certainly not the only cameras that will work with each scope/adapter combination. But they are cameras we know will work with some of our favorite scopes.
Note that for all digiscoping cameras, a camera with not more than 5x optical zoom is preferred, as it minimizes vignetting.
Pentax PF-80ED Scopes
The full-sized 80mm Pentax PF-80ED series scopes have an eyepiece that is too generous sized to work with other digital camera adapters.
But Pentax now has brought out its own digital camera adapter that does work with the 80mm Pentax scopes. It's shown at right, upper picture.
Pentax PF-65EDA II
The Pentax PF-65 II series scope, angled version, works extremely well with the Zeiss Digital Camera Adapter (at right, lower picture), which is an elegant digiscoping outfit.
Both the angled and the straight 65mm scopes also work with the new Pentax Digital Camera Adapter (right, upper picture). |
Pentax Digital Camera Adapter UA-1
The Pentax Adapter UA-1 is a universal adapter that will work with most scopes.
We like it because it also works with the Pentax PF-80 ED scopes, which have too big an eyepiece to work with universal digital camera adapters made by other companies.
Zeiss Digital Camera Adapter
The Zeiss Adapter was made not for Pentax but for the Zeiss Diascope. But it works beautifully with the small angled-only Pentax PF-65EDA scope. |
Cameras for
Pentax Scopes
Pentax says that its new digital camera adapter works with almost any compact digital camera.
See the Zeiss entry for cameras that work with the Zeiss Digital Camera Adapter. |
Swarovski 80mm HD
The Swarovski HD scopes are revered for their clarity. Swarovski gives us two options for digiscoping. The Digital Camera Adapter, at right, upper picture, is simple and elegant. You can carry it in your pocket already attached to your camera and then slide it over the eyepiece to shoot.
The Digital Camera Base, at right, lower picture, looks fancier. It keeps your camera suspended above the scope, ready to swing down when needed. The alignment may sometimes have to be adjusted during use. But it's necessary if your camera does not have threads in the lens housing.
Swarovski recommends the HD version of the scope (rather than the plain glass version) for digiscoping, as it produces superior pictures. |
Swarvoski
Digital Camera Adapter
Attach it to the camera by the threads in the camera lens housing. Then simply slide camera + adapter onto the scope eyepiece when you're ready to shoot. Perfect alignment is assured.
EASY TO USE!
Swarovski
Digital Camera Base
This one does not require threads in the lens housing. Click the image to see Swarovski's photo of the Digital Camer Base mounted on a scope. |
Cameras to use with
Swarovski HD Scopes
The cameras listed below will work with the Digital Camera Adapter, which requires threads in the lens housing. For each cameras you need an "accessory adapter" (sold by the camera manufacturer); listed below each camera.
Canon A540
(LA-DC52F)
Fuji E900
(AR-FXE02)
Sony DSC-W50
Sony DSC-W70
(For both Sonys, get a VAD-WB and a 30-37mm stepring.)
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Vortex Skylines 80mm ED
Vortex has a new Skyline, with ED glass, for maximum resolution and detail. This is the best moderate-priced scope we have found, by far!
If you can't afford a top-quality scope, you'll find you the Skyline ED approaches the quality of a Swarovski or a Zeiss, for a fraction of the price.
For digiscoping, you do need to get the higher-quality ED version of the Skyline.
It's available in angled (recommended) and straight-through styles.
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Vortex Universal
Digital Camera Adapter - Large
Works with all the Vortex Skyline scopes. Also works with scopes from other manufacturers, so long as the eyepiece has a diameters of 43-65mm.
Vortex Universal
Digital Camera Adapter - Small
Works with smaller scopes,with 28-45mm. eyepieces, from any manufacturer. Does not work with most 80mm scopes.
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Cameras to use with
Vortex Skyline ED Scopes
In theory, almost any small digital camera should work, because the Vortex Adapter holds the camera in front of the eyepiece.
We do know a digiscoping enthusiast who uses the Vortex Skyline scope and the large Vortex Adapter with a Canon Powershot SD600 camera. |
Zeiss Diascope 85mm
The almost supernaturally sharp, bright Zeiss Diascope is our best-selling high-end scope.
We recommend the angled scope, for maximum flexibility in photographing birds at eye level and in the trees. |
Zeiss Digital Camera Adapter
The Zeiss DCA lets you swing the camera out of the way to sight through the scope. Then you swing the camera into place in front of the scope to take the picture. (It's a slick solution, with great engineering.) |
Cameras for
Zeiss Diascope
Any of the following digital cameras will work with the Zeiss outfit:
Sony W series (any)
Sony N
Sony N2 |
—Michael and Diane Porter
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