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Spotting scope tripod question.

Old Stoat
20/11/2022 18:20

I'm looking at buying a spotting scope. Most seem to have quite a long foot for mounting on a tripod head. As a rule, will these fit a normal ball head for tripods. I have  a decent tripod for my camera already, and I'm not keen on buying another if I can just have a spare head.

  • 0 20/11/2022 18:54
    Hi

    what is the fitting plate on the top of your current tripod- or is it an actual ball ?

    Camera tripods do not necessarily make good Scope Tripods as they are not made to carry thwe weight:

    A call to a reputable Optics shop ( In Focus , Cley Spy etc.) should give you more info:

    posting photos of the tripod head here would help:

    :)

    S

    For advice about Birding, Identification,field guides,  binoculars, scopes, tripods,  etc - put 'Birding Tips'   into the search box

  • 0 20/11/2022 19:57
    Thanks for answering. I did ask at a branch of LCE that supposedly specialises in optics but the assistant there wasn’t much help. My current tripod and ball head will hold a 3kg lens/ camera combination happily.
  • 0 21/11/2022 07:05
    Ball heads don't work brilliantly for spotting scopes - you have to loosen the ball, manhandle the scope to position then lock it. It's a bit of a faff. If you're already carrying the tripod for the camera it's better than carrying a second one for scope, but buying a proper spotting scope type head for your existing tripod would be a better solution. You get a long handle so you can pan easily and it's so much easier to use.
    Presumably your existing ball head has a quick release plate, so just take it off the camera and stick it on the scope and try it a couple of times & you'll see what I mean

    ___

    Find me on Flickr / All about your camera - The Getting off Auto Index

  • 0 21/11/2022 10:31
    Joe is right, a ball fitting is too much of a faff for a birding scope. You should be able to swap the heads and fit a quick release plate on your existing tripod

    Pete

    Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can