Nikon introduces Fieldscope adaptors for DSLR

[Garion]

This is more for the birders out there using Nikon DSLRs and/or Nikon Fieldscopes. A useful and much lighter (and probably cheaper as well) alternative to lugging those heavy super telephotos lenses and related equipment around.

http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/eng/news...oping_e_04.htm

[AJ23]

Garion,

BBB!

[scanner]

So Garion, when is your turn joining us?

[bcoolboy]

Cool!!!

cheers,
bcoolboy

[2100]

But Garion, wouldn't then the image be degraded? (CA, resolution) And also much darker? The objective lens of fieldscopes ain't that big anyway. Optically, it looks good to the eye, but once you look at 100% at 3000x2000, whoops! I told you my story before right?

I guess something has to give.

Basket, the weather is playing havoc. Don't know if my 1500mm can make it or not for tomorrow. I need sun! I think i shall just use 70-200/2.8 and whack HSBC in the afternoon....my colleague is living at Clearwater....FOC parking. Where's my poncho....

[Garion]

Originally Posted by 2100 But Garion, wouldn't then the image be degraded? (CA, resolution) And also much darker? The objective lens of fieldscopes ain't that big anyway. Optically, it looks good to the eye, but once you look at 100% at 3000x2000, whoops! I told you my story before right? I guess something has to give.

I tend to disagree with your statements. Digiscoping can and does result in great pictures, provided you apply the correct techniques and skills. Of course having a quality scope helps as well. Take a look at the following website by the late Mr. Laurence Poh (considered by many to be the "father" of the digiscoping world). He used a Nikon Coolpix 990 with a Leica Apo-Televid 77 mm, 20 - 60 X zoom eyepiece to produce his superb pictures.

http://www.laurencepoh.com/

[2100]

Then what gives between using a 500/4 + 2X versus a field scope + dSLR? Even swarovski scopes aren't that expensive.

BTW, the digiscoped image would be circular when viewed from the dSLR right?

So you taking the plunge into digiscoping? Do you know of anybody using dSLRs......else we are barking up the wrong tree with all the speciality 400/5.6, 500/4 etc.... Somemore digiscopes can zoom one. I know similar afocal coupling done with refractor/refledctor telescopes for astrophotography though. Seen Roygoh's moon images before.

[Garion]

Originally Posted by 2100 Then what gives between using a 500/4 + 2X versus a field scope + dSLR? Even swarovski scopes aren't that expensive. BTW, the digiscoped image would be circular when viewed from the dSLR right? So you taking the plunge into digiscoping? Do you know of anybody using dSLRs......else we are barking up the wrong tree with all the speciality 400/5.6, 500/4 etc.... Somemore digiscopes can zoom one. I know similar afocal coupling done with refractor/refledctor telescopes for astrophotography though. Seen Roygoh's moon images before.

There are pros and cons of each system, digiscoping does have its uses, but mainly for record shots of distant stationary subjects I guess. And you are right in a way that you need good lighting when digiscoping for optimal quality. Of course having a (d)SLR system with the equivalent 500 or 600mm lenses is still the ultimate, though not as much reach but much more versatility than a digiscoping setup. But think of the freaking #$#%^#%^ cost of the big lens and the weight & bulk! In short, each has its own strong points I feel.

I am not sure about vignetting, but from what I understand with conventional digicams yes sometimes vigenetting does occur with spotting scopes attached to them.

Not considering switching to digiscoping (yet), have invested too much into DSLR and lenses liao...

[2100]

Just read the whole website. Yup, as expexted the swarovski scopes are first class. Even for telescopes, it's always the light gathering ability and resolution first, magnification second.

Too bad, Nikon is the only one with a solution for use with its dSLR, which is expected anyway. Anyway, other than switching systems, you can use an adaptor to use F mount stuff right?

[2100]

The Nikon ED82 scope is not cheap also. Probably about 2.5k here in SG, will ask around and confirm price.

[2100]

http://nikon.topica.ne.jp/bi_e/products/nature_c.htm

Fieldscope Selector settings* F-number Focal length (35mm equivalent focal length)**
ED82/ED82 A A 13 1,000 (1,500)mm

Garion, as expected, with 82mm objective, f13 for 1500mm effective in 35mm terms. Same setup as mine. Just that for mine i need to go f20-f22 for more usable end-results. Like i said, where's the sun? I am after optical resolution.