Is Digiscoping worth it?

[R. Dixon]

Greetings.

I am wondering if Digiscoping is worth it, Since it costs around 1600 pounds for the setup im thinking about getting (G11 with Swarovski STM 65 Straight Spotting Scope and Swarovski Universal Camera Adapter UCA) i am wondering if the picture qauilty is good enough for prints (small ones, like the ones you use too get then you handed in a roll of film too the camera store) and posters

anyone got any thoughts?

[GTriever]

As a "former" 'scoper, I'll say the answer is both yes and no. Some folks are doing wonders with the scope/point & shoot combo, while others don't seem to have much luck at all. I tend to fall in the latter group, and have much better results with a DSLR and 100-400L combo. I'd refer you to birdforum.net and Andy Bright's digiscoping site for more detailed info.

[MikeFairbanks]

What are you guys talking about? I'm curious.

[GTriever]

Mike, digiscoping is a method of coupling a digital camera (usually, but not always a point & shoot) to a high-quality spotting scope and effectively using the scope as a long telephoto lens. You usually find it discussed and used quite a bit with Birders. Below are some good links for more info about digiscoping, and one of my old digiscoped photos using a Coolpix 4500 (3 MP) and Zeiss 85T*FL scope.


http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/gear/Digiscoping/

http://www.digiscoped.com/

http://www.birdforum.net

http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu283/gtriever/DSCN0058_web.jpg

[hollis_f]

Never really got into digiscoping but I'd much rather use an angled scope. Makes it much easier to see the screen on the camera.