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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, most manufacturer don't make a point-and-shoot camera especially to go with their 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 Makes it hard to make a recommendation that will not go out of date. There are many cameras that will work with each scope, but the manufacturers do not publish lists of which ones do (probably because cameras change so fast).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 work.
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. Preferred is 3x to 4x.
Swarovski ATM-80mm HD
The Swarovski ATM HD scopes are revered for their clarity.
Swarovski's best digiscoping solution is for a point-and-shoot camera with a threaded lens housing.
You can use your scope as a scope. And then when you want to take a picture, pull from your pocket the camera, to which you have already attached the adapter. Slip the adapter over the eyepiece. And you're ready. Just shoot! |
Swarovski
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!
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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.) |
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 has its own digital camera adapter that does work with them. |
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.
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Cameras for
Pentax Scopes
Pentax says that its new digital camera adapter works with almost any compact digital camera.
The camera does not have to have threaded lens housing, because the camera is held in place with the adapter by its external rods.
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Vortex Razor ED
The Vortex Razor amazed us when we compared all the top scopes for our review in Bird Watcher's Digest (November, 2009). This is a beautifully designed, bright, sharp, rugged scope, with angled eyepiece design. We recommend it highly. It's the only scope with truly high-end optical quality at such a moderate price, which includes the 20-60 power zoom eyepiece.
It's available in angled (recommended) and straight-through styles.
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Vortex Razor Digital Camera Adapter
Convert the Razor HD spotting scope into a high-powered telephoto lens. Requires threaded lens housing in the camera OR the Vortex Point-n-Shoot Attachment. (See below.)
Vortex Point-n-Shoot Attachmentl
Lets you pair your digital camera adapter to a camera that does not have a threaded lens housing.
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Cameras to use with
Vortex Razor Scope
As with all digiscoping outfits, it's recommended to use a point-and-shoot digital camera with a 3 to 4 power optical zoom.
If you get a camera with higher power digital zoom, you'll get vignetting on your pictures. |
Zeiss DiaScope 85mm
The almost supernaturally sharp, bright Zeiss Diascope with its 20-75x zoom eyepiece provides the highest absolute resolution of any contemporary spotting scope. |
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
The following digital cameras will work with the Zeiss outfit. There are probably others that will also work.
Canon sd4000is
Nikon p300 |
—Michael and Diane Porter
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