Digiscoping for Birds on a Budget - Camera Advice?

[SeattleDan]

Hi ya'all. I'm retired now and on a fixed income. Where I just moved is a beautiful spot for watching birds. My son enjoys Bird-watching and Zoology generally, so this gives us a shared activity, some of the time, which is nice. I'm interested in decently recording what I sometimes see, more than I am in the technical aspects of photography, which isn't really saying much.

I am getting a little spotting scope, just enough for a start, this Christmas. The manufacturer sells camera mounting adapters for both SLR and simple, digital cameras. I will probably opt for non-SLR due to my budget, and I will most likely get it used, either from the Pawn Shop or Craigslist.

I would like internal zoom and focus, with manual adjustment for shutter speeds etc. I don't even know if this is possible with a non-SLR camera, but this is my question.

Thanks to you all in advance, for any imput. I hope you all are having a decent Holiday.

Dan

 

[DiskoJoe]

just go get a dslr and a 70-300mm lens. That should be enough to get you started. If thats not enough zoom get a teleconverter for the lens to double the magnification or get a 500-1000mm lens.

You could probably get a used dslr (like a sony, nikon or canon) and a 70-300mm lens for about $300-400. I relation to cameras this is very cheap.

 

[KmH]

There are not many non-DSLR, or SLR (film), cameras that you can remove the lens so you can attach a spotting scope.

 

[scorpion_tyr]

My advise is to also get a DSLR and a 75-300mm zoom. Buying them new will cost you about $800 at least. $600 for the camera, $200 for the lens. You may be able to save about $200 by watching out for sales.

If you know enough about cameras, or know someone who does and can go with you to check the equipment out keep an eye on craigslist and pawn shops. You should be able to find a good condition Canon Rebel XTi with kit lens and 55-250mm or 75-300mm for anywhere from $200-400. That camera will give you 10 megapixels which is more than enough for what you want. The only reason I suggest that camera over the Rebel or Rebel XT is because it has a larger LCD screen, and in my opinion is well worth the extra $50-100.

 

[LittleMike]

There are not many non-DSLR, or SLR (film), cameras that you can remove the lens so you can attach a spotting scope.

You will actually leave the lens on while attaching it to your camera. It is recommended that you use a 50mm prime lens on a crop-body DSLR. Most kits for DSLR's will have adapter rings that thread on like a filter, then position the lens in front of the eyepiece of the spotting scope. You set your lens to manual focus, set it to infinity, and use the scope to focus manually.

Here's a link to some of the Swarovski camera adapters to mount to their scopes: Camera adapters - SWAROVSKI OPTIK - Binoculars, Spotting Scopes, Rifle Scopes, Hunting, Birdwatching, Travel & Leisure, Digiscoping

The UCA adapter is more appropriate for compact cameras, while the DCA and TLS 800 are for D/SLR's.

 

[SeattleDan]

Wow, you folks are smart and helpful. I have plenty here to chew on and read about. Thanks much. I'm limited because I'm starting out with a pretty cheap scope, but it's what I have. The eyepiece is not detachable or replaceable. The magnification feature is poorly rated. With the 88 mm real opening on the fat end of a 13 inch scope, I'll get lots of light in, and if I keep magnification under 75 (in most light in Seattle, more than 40 will probably be wasted), then I should be OK. What I need is the ability to manually manage ISO and that's a big reason to not go with a compact digital. But one reason TO go with a smaller camera is that my scope eyepiece is not big. The lens needs to be smaller than the eyepiece and internal zoom would be preferred.

The Scope is a go, because it's a Christmas present on the way. If nothing else it will help me identify birds and I can plan on my budget digiscope folly for the Spring. I'm not going to be entering contests with this, just saving sightings for my own enjoyment, and to share with my sons and friends.

Thank you for not saying I have to have 2 grand out the door for the minimum acceptable set up. That's what some cat in Tokyo said over on the Bird Watcher's Forum. He tried to tell me I had to have an Astro Scope or I was wasting my time.... lol. These Hummingbirds ain't on the dang MOON, eh?

 

[DiskoJoe]

i would look into little mike's suggestion. Getting a dslr and a 50mm f1.8 would not be too terrible expensive and if you could use it on your scope then it would be ideal. A 50mm prime lens is also handy and cheap lens to take portraits with if you have any grandkids or of the wife.