Hi all
Looking to purchase my first Scope this wk end.
Dont want to spend a fortune at first till I'm sure I like the benifits thinging about small compact for digiscoping. Any advice on cameras?
Was looking at the RSPB AG80 with 20-60 zoom eyepiece.
Anyone used this combination....would I do better spending more..
Or is this a good scope for the ££££
Linden
"Click Click"
Hi Linden,
I would take a look here www.warehouseexpress.com they have a good selection and also keep all the adaptors you will need.
I use them a lot and always find them reliable and good for advice.
Graham
Be Inspired,
Dream it, Crave it, Work for it, Live it.
Hi Megapix
Now, call me biased, but I'd suggest going along to your local RSPB shop and trying everything you can get your hands on. I think the closest one to you would be Fairburn Ings. That way you get proper hands-on experience of what you are going to buy, rather than trusting to other people's reviews (and the postal service delivering it undamaged). There is currently an RSPB AG80 digiscoping kit avilable that comes with telescope, eyepiece, camera and adapter, though I understand that it has been extremely popular so it might be an idea to phone ahead to see if they have one in stock.
Of course, the other advantage of buying from the RSPB is that all the profits go towards conservation, rather than lining a businessman's pocket!
Reedbed, freshwater scrapes, saltmarsh and wet meadow. Frampton Marsh has it all! Come and pay us a visit soon.
My advice would be to visit a 'Field Day' such as those run by 'In Focus'. There is no substitute for handling the instruments and preferably in poor light. That way you really see the difference in the quality of the equipment and its light gathering ability. You need to decide on a budget and look carefully at various items in your price range. The other factor is size and weight which can be an issue if you are carrying the kit all day. . A zoom lens is very useful BUT as you increase the magnification the image will darken so light transmission is very important. It is a matter of personal choice BUT do spend time trying. An angled scope has advantages, particularly if you are tall. The right choice could last you a lifetime the wrong one will spoil your pleasure. Good luck.
Birdies LG DU update.
Hi to all,
May I say that I only offered the web address as an alternative place to look I dont think Chris is being biased at all and I can see where he is coming from. I am sure the RSPB scope will be of good quality and if it suits you and the price is withing your limit then go for it. I also agree that if it does suit your needs then as Chris said you are also doing your bit towards conservation.
Mike gave some good advice when he said go along and look at them and handle them. You will find what is comfortable and what suits your needs.
All I am saying is that if you dont find what you want then the link I gave is worth a look. As I have said I have used them many times for my photography equipment and always found them reliable and helpfull.
Hi Linden
As others have already mentioned, it's pretty much essential to 'try before you buy'. What suits one person's hands and eyes doesn't suit everyone else's, so definitely visit somewhere where you can try several scopes and see what you like. (we've got some tips on choosing optics)
With digiscoping, the important thing is light - the more, the better. So a scope with a large objective lens (like 80mm) is better than a small one (50mm). Fixed-magnification eyepieces work better than zooms. Something like a 20x or 30x eyepiece is good (brighter).
It's also important to choose a good, stable tripod. No point in having your nice new scope and camera wobbling about in the breeze on some rubbish legs.
As for choosing a camera, it's worth doing a bit of research before you buy. Not every camera will work for digiscoping; without trying them out it's hard to say. An adaptor is helpful; you can buy bespoke ones or some people make their own.
Hope that helps - just ask if you have questions!
Can any other digiscopers offer tips? What do you use?
I've got the Nikon ED 50 really small and compact and abcolutely brilliant. Got mine a few years ago at RSPB Titchwell, It was the first one they took out for me to try. I then tried others but no comparison, A keen photographer friend also has one for digiscoping. You can even get them in pink lol.
Why not try for Rutland Birdfair at end of month. lots and lots of choice there and lots of advice
Susan
All I ask is the chance to prove that money can't make me happy. Spike Milligan
Hello there
Can I just say, A big thankyou too you all for your advice..
Shall take all into consideration before I buy....
What agreat bunch of people you all are.
Thankyou